The City of Ann Arbor still has plans to create an unarmed crisis response program, but it will take more time to get it in place.
Four years ago, the City Council adopted a resolution directing the administration to implement a program utilizing partnerships with local human and social services agencies. It would respond to non-criminal calls for services, often mental health issues.
City Administrator Milton Dohoney Jr. says they’ve visited other cities around the country that have an unarmed response team already in place.
“They all have a very narrow range of situations they respond to. None of them are 24/7. Many of them say they accept 24/7 is not obtainable. They all say starting with a pilot is the best way to move forward.”
The 2026-27 proposed city budget includes setting aside $250,000 from the Marijuana Excise Tax for the unarmed response program.
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