Ithaca officials have begun recruiting four community responders for a new program designed to handle certain nonviolent calls without police, according to The Ithaca Voice.
The ROOTS Team, short for Responders Offering Outreach Trust and Support, will include a working supervisor, one full-time responder and two part-time responders.
The pilot program is intended to reduce reliance on police and limit disproportionate contact between marginalized communities and the criminal justice system.
Responders will work with police, the Community Justice Center and service providers to assist people facing housing instability, mental health challenges and other nonviolent situations.
Applications are due Aug. 12, with the city seeking candidates who have outreach, de-escalation and community engagement experience.
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