MACRO, Oakland’s alternative 911 program, getting dispatched to fewer calls

A map of Oakland divided into six zones colored pink, blue, yellow, green, purple and torquoise, each representing a MACROS zone

Nearly 18 months after its launch, the efficacy of a civilian unit in Oakland designed to handle certain non-violent 911 calls remains unclear.  While the Mobile Assistance Community Responders of Oakland, or MACRO, program has been praised for its compassionate, community-centered approach, recent city reports reveal that it is handling a declining number of dispatches…

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Oakland 911 now can dispatch mental health calls to MACRO team instead of police

MACRO map

Oakland’s community response pilot program, which launched last spring as an alternative to a police response, was connected this month to 911 dispatch services. Teams with the Mobile Assistance Community Responders of Oakland program now will be dispatched to calls about mental health crises, wellness checks and other issues that trained professionals may be better…

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