Where do we go from here?

Since our origins in the Ferguson Commission, Forward Through Ferguson has been committed to Justice For All

In September 2019, we released The State of Police Reform report, which tracked movement on changes in the law enforcement space since the killing of Michael Brown Jr. and the release of the Ferguson Commission report.

For several years, we continued to convene conversations through the Power Behind the Badge Series to understand community needs and the limitations of our current arrest-and-incarcerate model. These conversations led us to advocate for a two-year First Responder Alternative (FRA) Pilot Program (a.k.a. Civilian First Responder Pilot) in St. Louis County.

2019

Community at State of Police Reform Forums name FRA as top priority

(Ferguson, O’Fallon Park, Dutchtown)

2020

Power Behind the Badge Series engages community, local, and national leaders

2021

Formation of FRA Pilot Coalition

FTF Data & Research Team develops #Transforming911 Advocacy Tool

Image of St. Louis residents discussing #Transforming911.

2022

FTF publicly launches transforming911.org

FTF hosts three community events across the St. Louis region to share original research and storytelling with 100+ residents

2023

FTF releases full #Transforming911 report

FTF releases statements and makes press appearances calling attention to the impact of 911 delays during climate crises

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Civilian First Responder Alternative Program: Why Here? Why Now?

Imagine you’ve got an emergency. Maybe someone you love is having a mental health crisis. Maybe you hear a disturbance in your neighborhood.

What if you could call 911 and have a dispatcher assess the situation, then send a team of civilian first responders who arrive at the scene in a well-equipped FRA van?

The team of civilian responders could work together to secure the scene, conduct a brief mental health assessment, ask the person what support or services they might need, and give the person in distress a care package – with food, hand warmers, a bottle of water, and socks – as well as make a referral to a social services provider in the area.

This isn’t the norm in St. Louis right now, but it is in places like Denver, San Francisco, Oakland, and Eugene, and it is something that we could also achieve through the creation of a Civilian First Responder Program in the St. Louis area.

3

Jurisdictions

Ferguson Police Department (FPD)

North County Police Cooperative (NCPC)

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Deparment (SLMPD)

2014-2019

Window of examination

57

Conversations with internal and external stakeholders

288

Advocacy efforts, landscape changes documented

3

Types of change catalogues (program, practice, policy)

The First Responder Alternative Program will provide:

A community-based and trauma-informed approach to public safety that promotes residents' dignity, autonomy, and health.
Faster 911 call response times.
Fewer interactions between residents and armed law enforcement officers.
Holistic and health-centered approaches to mental illness and substance use.
Streamlined connections between residents and highly trained service providers.