Alliance Note: The Daniel’s Law Coalition continues to call for the use of Peers and EMTs as alternative primary responders to health-related emergencies, such as mental health and substance use crisis calls. This year, the Legislature included $2 million for Daniel’s Law Pilots. Named after Daniel Prude, who was killed by police in Rochester while experiencing a health emergency, these pilot teams would effectively use trained Peers and EMTs to support people in crisis and offer data from New York to support the Daniel’s Law Task Force’s goal of providing recommendations on implementing a statewide alternative response system.
There is often confusion around whether Daniel’s Law teams are meant to replace police entirely, or that law enforcement is against alternative response systems. The Daniel’s Law teams would only respond to health emergencies where police are not required, meaning there is no immediate danger to the people experiencing a crisis or a safety risk for the responders. Contrary to many people’s belief, law enforcement actually welcome the use of alternative response because they know they are not the best trained responders for health emergencies and want people in the community to get the effective support they need. Alternative health responders also free law enforcement to address actual public safety issues while strengthening their relationships with the communities they serve.
Late last month, the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP), a non-profit organization of police, prosecutors, judges, and other criminal justice professionals sent a letter to Governor Hochul voicing their support for the inclusion of the $2 million funding for Daniel’s Law pilots. The letter describes the need for alternative responders and why law enforcement welcomes this change to our response system. If you would also like to voice your support, you can use the link below to send your lawmakers more messages calling for the funding to be included in the final budget. You can also register for the upcoming Daniel’s Law Task Force Virtual Listening Session happening next Tuesday, April 16, from 3-5pm. Register to give public comments here. We need everyone’s support as budget negotiations begin winding down, send messages today! See below to read the LEAP organization’s letter to the Governor.
Contact The Governor and Your Legislators Here!
