COLUMBUS, Ohio — Alternative versions of police and non-police response to crises have spread across the country since 2020, but what do we know about their effects? Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, an interdisciplinary research team from The Ohio State University examined the impact of alternative response models for 911 mental/behavioral crises here in Columbus, Ohio. Leah Bevis, Associate Professor with the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics, and Jen Hefner, Associate Professor with the College of Public Health, will present their research findings in a community briefing scheduled for October 17 at 6 p.m. in the Martin Luther King Branch Library (Meeting Room 2+3, 1467 E Long Street, Columbus, OH 43203).
In the briefing, Bevis and Hefner will present their research evaluating community member experiences when mental and substance-related health crises were met by various models of police response. Attendees will learn about variations in police responses, barriers to calling 911, the effect of police CIT training and the new Mobile Crises Response Unit, and community support for alternative response models.
“We have worked with community members through every step of this process and are excited to hear their feedback as we present our findings,” said Dr. Bevis.
The session will include an overview of key findings and provide space for community members to provide feedback and insight into the study’s results. This feedback will be invaluable for refining future approaches to crisis intervention and informing policy recommendations.
Community Research Briefing: Crisis Response – Data and Community Voice
Thursday, Oct 17, 6 – 7 p.m.
Martin Luther King Branch Library
Meeting Room 2+3
1467 E Long St
Columbus, OH 43203
Parking available in Library lot south of building on Taylor Ave.
For more information:
Jen Hefner (hefner.48@osu.edu)
Leah Bevis (bevis.16@osu.edu)
Stephen David (david.54@osu.edu)