July 5, 2025
What began as a call regarding a person experiencing homelessness quickly became an opportunity to change the course of someone's life through compassion, patience, and human connection.
The Unarmed Mobile Crisis Response (UMCR) team responded to reports of a 28-year-old individual experiencing homelessness who was reportedly exposing himself in public while displaying behaviors consistent with a mental health crisis. After conducting a thorough search of the surrounding area, the team located the individual in a nearby parking lot. Rather than focusing solely on the reported behavior, UMCR approached him with empathy, introduced themselves, and created a calm, non-judgmental environment where he felt safe enough to engage in conversation.
Through active listening and genuine rapport-building, the individual began sharing his experiences, including disorganized thoughts and intermittent auditory hallucinations. As trust developed, he expressed that he wanted help and was willing to accept mental health treatment—an important turning point that may not have been possible without the team's compassionate approach.
Recognizing the opportunity to connect him with the care he needed, UMCR voluntarily transported the individual to the Olive View Mental Health Emergency Room. There, the team completed a warm handoff with hospital staff, ensuring continuity of care and a seamless transition into psychiatric services.
This response is a powerful example of how trauma-informed, person-centered crisis intervention can transform what might otherwise have been a law enforcement encounter into a pathway toward healing. By leading with compassion instead of confrontation, the UMCR team helped de-escalate the situation, build trust, and connect an individual in crisis with life-changing mental health support. It serves as a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful interventions begin with something as simple as a conversation.
As Los Angeles continues building a safer, healthier, and more connected community, the Unarmed Mobile Crisis Response (UMCR) program is proving that compassion can be one of the most powerful public safety tools. Now firmly established as an ongoing City program, UMCR continues to expand its reach while strengthening partnerships with the Los Angeles Fire Department, behavioral health providers, and community organizations. Every response is guided by empathy, dignity, and the belief that people experiencing a crisis deserve care—not judgment.
This month marks an exciting milestone for the program. More than 1,386 calls have been successfully diverted from the Los Angeles Fire Department, allowing emergency responders to remain available for higher-acuity incidents while UMCR teams provide specialized behavioral health support to those in need. Every diverted call represents an opportunity to connect someone in crisis with meaningful resources while improving emergency response across the city.
One powerful example of UMCR's impact took place in the Devonshire Division, where responders encountered an individual who was found unclothed and in visible distress near a busy roadway. Rather than simply addressing the immediate situation, the team focused first on the individual's safety, offering clothing, reassurance, and a calm, respectful presence. By meeting the individual with compassion and patience, responders quickly established trust and created an environment where meaningful conversation could begin.
As the interaction continued, the individual shared that he had been experiencing significant personal hardships. The UMCR team provided a warm meal, emotional support, and safe transportation to the home of a trusted loved one, helping him reconnect with a stable and supportive environment. Before parting ways, responders worked with him to develop a plan for ongoing support and reminded him that help would continue to be available whenever he needed it. He expressed heartfelt gratitude for the kindness, dignity, and respect he received during one of the most difficult moments of his life.
July also recognizes Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to honor the legacy of an advocate who worked tirelessly to reduce stigma and expand access to culturally responsive mental health care. Her message continues to resonate today, reminding us that every community deserves equitable access to behavioral health services and compassionate support. UMCR proudly carries that mission forward by meeting people where they are and ensuring every interaction is rooted in respect and understanding.
Every call answered by UMCR represents more than a response—it represents hope, human connection, and the opportunity for someone to begin a new path forward. Whether assisting an individual experiencing a behavioral health crisis, reconnecting someone with family and support systems, or helping preserve critical emergency resources for the community, UMCR continues to demonstrate that compassionate crisis response changes lives. Together with its City and community partners, UMCR remains committed to building a Los Angeles where every person is treated with dignity and every response creates the possibility for a better tomorrow.
