# Unarmed 911 Teams Now in 100 Cities > Unarmed responders handle 911 calls in 100 cities to reduce violence. - Title: Unarmed 911 Teams Now in 100 Cities · NPR | Shortify - Summary: Unarmed responders handle 911 calls in 100 cities to reduce violence. Unarmed community response teams in 100 U.S. cities handle mental health and crisis… - Keywords: unarmed 911 teams, community response, mental health crisis, public safety, durham, hearth program, nfl, npr, 911 calls, trespassing, homelessness, stabilization services - Source: NPR — https://npr.org/2026/09/22/nx-s1-5973302/unarmed-911-responders-police-reform - Published: 2026-09-22T00:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: unarmed 911 teams, community response, mental health crisis, public safety, durham, hearth program, nfl, npr, 911 calls, trespassing, homelessness, stabilization services ## Unarmed responders in action Rob Crisp and Allie Craft respond to a trespasser in Durham parking lot. > Our notes say we got a trespasser on a business property ## Trespasser situation Man wears McDonald's shirt and carries garbage bags and sofa. > He has a bunch of belongings and refuses to leave ## Crisp's approach Crisp talks with man to calm him down. > I can relate to not having anything ## Immediate solution They give water and socks, move belongings to vacant lot. > We're not trying to bother you, but hey, we do have some supplies ## Police response shift Police would have handled this call five years ago. > Just five years ago, police would have most likely been dispatched ## Program growth HEART program now handles 25,000+ 911 calls citywide. > Durham's program launched in 2022 and has responded to more than 25,000 calls ## Community response teams Programs in nearly 100 U.S. cities since 2020. > In 2020, there were only six programs in the U.S. that sent unarmed responders ## Research shows success Fewer arrests and police find it helpful. > A study this year found fewer arrests and most police find it helpful ## Denver program results Denver program reduced crime reports by over a third. > A 2022 Stanford University study found it reduced certain crimes by more than a third ## Eugene program results Eugene program reduced arrests and increased medical access. > A 2025 study found reduced arrests and increased medical care access ## Police concerns Police worried about protecting unarmed responders. > Their heartburn was, 'OK, are we going to have to protect these people that are unarmed?' ## Radio channel integration Police and HEART share same radio channel. > Police officers can hear unarmed responders and vice versa ## Call volume measurement Durham handles 28 calls per 1,000 residents. > Durham HEART handles around 28 calls per 1,000 residents ## Housing crisis HEART helps with housing but options are limited. > People ask, 'Why aren't you fixing homelessness?' ## Stabilization services Durham launched housing and support services. > The aim is to connect people with resources after crisis ## Long-term goal Fewer 911 calls need HEART in future. > Over time, fewer callers will need HEART teams ## Key takeaway Unarmed community response teams in 100 U.S. cities handle mental health and crisis calls without police, reducing arrests and building trust.