On March 8, 2024 at Lincoln South Rotary Club, we heard from Melissa Ripley of the Lincoln Police Department and Homeless Coalition. Her program was on Alternate Response Program.
The Alternate Response Program allows various means to respond when a report is received about homeless individuals - decriminalizing homelessness.
Melissa shared some of the key positive aspects and results:
- More compassion for homeless individuals
- Free up law enforcement officers which is needed for actual emergencies or criminal activities
- Provides some immediate basic needs
- Connect the individuals with long-term assistance
Prior to the program, when a report came in from a citizen about a homeless person, the police had to respond. They would ask if they were okay and safe. They may arrest them or give them tickets because there were no other options - homelessness was criminalized. Support is still sent out - but it is no longer a police officer.
Melissa has worked with the homeless for over a dozen years. She performed a dual role as a street police officer but also had the unofficial position of homeless liaison with the department. The position Homeless Outreach Coordinator became an official position.
She talked about the Lincoln's Homeless Coalition. From the Internet (https://www.lincolnhomelesscoalition.org/about/), "The mission of this Coalition is to heighten awareness and develop a community-wide commitment to the needs and issues surrounding individuals and families who are near or experiencing homelessness."
Melissa shared that there are about 75 organizations participating in Lincoln's Homeless Coalition. They coordinate their efforts and support each other rather than compete - all to the benefit of the community they serve.
There is now a Street Outreach program managed through CenterPointe. Employees of the Street Outreach program are not Police Officers. The homeless welcome them - they know that they are not there to pass judgement or arrest them - but rather there to help them. They are equipped to help with items they may need such as food or clothing and can also connect them with longer-term help like housing.
When a report of homeless comes in now, the 911 dispatcher asks questions to determine if there are any safety concerns. If there are not, and if they do not believe they are any law violations, the report is transferred to the "Unsheltered" queue at CenterPointe. At that point the call is no longer assigned to the Lincoln Police Officers. However, if there is any issue and the call is in queue for 20 minutes, it is routed back to ensure timely response.
The program in Lincoln officially started in August of 2023. Some of the statistics:
- Emergency Protective Custody of homeless personnel has decreased by 50%
- Of the homeless contacted, 38% have taken advantage of services provided by CenterPointe
- 7 homeless families have been housed
Melissa stated that the Coalition meets regularly and everyone is placed on a list for housing. Homeless individuals have provided information about their vulnerability and are ranked on a point scale. Factors considered are issues such as length of homelessness, history of abuse, mental illness and substance abuse.
She said that the biggest barrier is affordable housing. Many of the units being build rent for $1200 but they need more that are in the $400 to $500 range. They also have a difficult time finding landlords willing to work with the homeless - especially those with criminal histories.
She stated that there are some goals for the program such as low-barrier shelter facility and daytime services. Currently the only shelter is the Peoples City Mission (PCM). The PCM is a private organization that sets its rules. Some find it difficult to stay at PCM because of those rules. A low-barrier shelter would still have some restrictions - but just not as many as PCM. Also, a person may go to PCM but they cannot stay there during the day. It would be nice to provide a place for them to go during the day with options to shower, do laundry, use computers, etc.
Melissa was asked about the homeless population - where are they coming from. She stated that there are a number of individuals that were living with family in Lincoln. For whatever reason, they may have severed the family relationship. She said that there are also a number of individuals who are released from the Nebraska penitentiary - often released into homelessness.
BIO
Melissa Ripley is an Investigator with 24 years of experience at the Lincoln Police Department. She currently serves as the Homeless Outreach Coordinator for LPD. Throughout her career, she has been a steadfast advocate for breaking the stigma surrounding mental health issues and homelessness. Melissa's commitment to using her role as a police officer to amplify the voices of the vulnerable showcases her unwavering dedication to community welfare. Her extensive experience and compassionate approach makes her an asset in addressing the complex challenges of homelessness and mental health within the community.
The new Alternate Response Program is a collaborative effort between LPD and the Centerpointe Street Outreach Team aimed at redefining our response to our unsheltered population. We are combining resources and expertise to support individuals experiencing homelessness rather than criminalizing them. Together we are striving for positive outcomes for the most vulnerable in our community.