Mayor Karen Bass announced yesterday the extension of the Crisis and Incident Response through Community-led Engagement (CIRCLE) program to the Sherman Oaks and Ventura Boulevard business corridors. This development is designed to manage calls regarding homeless individuals, loitering, noise disturbances, and other incidents with mental health professionals and experienced individuals, according to the Mayor's Office press release.
The Mayor's Office of Community Safety was established by Mayor Karen Bass in response to the city's challenges. Its goal is to execute and offer safety strategies and programs, including CIRCLE, in a non-punitive, community-based approach.
The program operates extensively across Los Angeles, including Hollywood, Downtown Los Angeles, South Los Angeles, Venice, and the San Fernando Valley. Throughout the last fiscal year, it has stretched its original service areas and launched three additional service areas. Councilmember Nithya Raman applauded this expansion, “With the expansion of the CIRCLE Team, our City continues to champion effective unarmed response and proactive outreach.”
Michel Moore, the Los Angeles Police Chief, shares his support for the expansion. According to him, "CIRCLE has not only relieved police resources but also provided an avenue to services, including being housed." Program beneficiaries have expressed that CIRCLE has brought progress in the community, one step at a time, promoting empathy and encouraging change, as mentioned in the Mayor's Office press release.
Addressing the needs of Sherman Oaks' residents and businesses in a more effective and compassionate manner is the expansion's key purpose, as Mayor Karen Bass explains. The CIRCLE expansion offers more options and strategies for responding to calls involving homeless residents and residents requiring care.
The non-emergency police line at (877) 275-5273 is the contact point for those who wish to access the CIRCLE program and its services.
