The St. Petersburg Police Department’s Community Assistance and Life Liaison (CALL) program has been nominated for the First Responder Community Impact Award, recognizing agencies that improve mental health support through community-focused efforts. Public voting is open from today through November 9 on the FHE Health website.
In a social media post, the St. Petersburg Police Department asked for public support, stating, "You can help us win!" The CALL program sends trained social workers to respond to non-violent, non-criminal 911 calls involving mental health, substance use, homelessness, and related issues.
Launched in 2021, the program handles nearly 5,000 interventions annually, resolving about 95% of them without involving law enforcement. The CALL program is a partnership between the St. Petersburg Police and Gulf Coast JFCS. "Let’s show the nation how St. Pete leads with compassion," the department stated in a Facebook post.
