LA's Unarmed Civilian Teams Showcase Effective Statewide Results

Last month, Montero Lamar Hill—recognized as Lil Nas X from his hit "Old Town Road"—was apprehended in Los Angeles while clad only in his underwear and under the influence. Armed officers confronted him, leading to his arrest on four felony charges, including battery against an officer causing injury and resisting arrest. Though Hill faces potential incarceration of up to five years, his family expresses gratitude for his survival. "That was terrifying," he recounted to fans, referring to the distressing events.Contrasting Hill's experience, others in California responding to mental health emergencies have not been as fortunate. The city of Los Angeles is piloting programs utilizing unarmed civilians trained to handle specific crisis calls. A report indicates that these responders reduce escalation and better address mental health emergencies. Over the past year, these teams have successfully managed over 6,700 calls, saving nearly 7,000 hours of police patrol time while permitting law enforcement to focus on serious crimes.