Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is proactive in addressing the city's mental health crisis and crimes, as evident in the recent expansion of CIRCLE, a 24/7 crisis intervention program. Announced today, the initiative now spans several Westside neighborhoods, aiming to enhance public safety and free up law enforcement to tackle crime more effectively. According to a statement from the Mayor's office, CIRCLE specializes in non-violent crisis reaction, primarily for the unhoused, by dispatching teams comprised of mental health professionals and people with lived experiences.
The program's expansion was backed by Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, Councilwoman Park, Congressmember Ted Lieu, and Senator Alex Padilla, all of whom have recognized the necessity of such a program in areas heavily impacted by homelessness and mental health issues. "I’m pleased to join Mayor Bass and members of the Los Angeles City Council today in celebrating the expansion of the CIRCLE program into West Los Angeles," Congressman Lieu said, acknowledging the securement of $1.5 million through the federal appropriations process in 2022. CIRCLE's approach, by design, provides intervention and care services that align with the overall community-based public safety strategies the Mayor's administration prioritizes.
The expanded service areas now include Oakwood, Mar Vista, Palms, Playa Vista, Playa Del Rey, Westchester, Manchester Square, and Dockweiler Beach. CIRCLE's implementation on the Westside signifies a fundamental shift in handling non-violent incidents: from a punitive to a support-oriented response. With over 14,000 incidents funneled through CIRCLE last fiscal year, results include hundreds housed, vital documents secured for over 1,600 individuals, and a notable number of opioid overdoses reversed.
Residents seeking assistance from CIRCLE can reach out via the non-emergency line at 1-877-275-5273, by selecting the "non-emergency dispatch" option. The efficacy of this program in not just administering instant aid but also in fostering lasting trust within the community is reflected in the reduction of the burden on the LAPD. As a result, officers are better allocated to focus on serious crime as they remain less entangled in situations where their presence is not necessarily conducive or urgent.
The Mayor’s Office of Community Safety is at the helm of these efforts, enacting preventative measures against crime and violence by nurturing social and economic factors that cultivate security. Tapping into civilian first response teams, such services are part and parcel of an overarching safety strategy that includes violence interruption initiatives and capacity-building for non-profits engaged in public safety. The underlying goal is to create a safer environment for all Angelenos, especially emphasized through programs like Summer Night Lights, which drew more than 100,000 attendees to help curb summer violence through enriched youth engagement.
