Dayton’s Mediation Response Unit sends trained mediation responders to non-emergency, non-violent calls involving conflict or crisis that do not require a traditional law enforcement response. Integrated into the city’s 911 response system, the team handles thousands of calls for service each year that police officers previously handled, including complaints involving “unruly or misbehaving youth; barking dogs or other pet issues; disorderly individuals; tenant and landlord fights; and assistance with child visitation or custody exchanges,” the Dayton Daily News reported.
Safer Cities recently spoke with Aaron M. Primm, Mediation Response Unit Coordinator at the Dayton Mediation Center, about how the team handles calls, connects residents to longer-term resources, and determines which situations are appropriate for a mediation response:
- On Freeing Officers To Focus On Higher-Risk Calls: “Through this collaborative approach, the MRU helps reduce the number of calls requiring a traditional law enforcement response, allowing local police officers to dedicate greater capacity and resources to emergent, violent, and higher-risk situations. The MRU provides the community with greater flexibility in determining the most appropriate response to a given situation, ensuring that residents receive services that are both effective and proportionate to their needs. Thus far, community feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with residents expressing strong support and appreciation for the MRU’s efforts.”
- On Helping People Move From Conflict To Longer-Term Support: “Our role as Mediation Responders is to support individuals experiencing conflict or crisis and help facilitate more productive, constructive, and sustainable outcomes. Depending on the circumstances, this may involve directly mediating between the parties involved or connecting individuals with appropriate community resources and services. When additional support is needed, we make referrals to organizations equipped to address specific needs—for example, connecting individuals with Legal Aid when legal assistance or resources are required. The City of Dayton is fortunate to have a wealth of community-based resources, and we make it a priority to connect residents with organizations that can provide the appropriate support and assistance.”
- On Establishing Clear Guardrails For Which Calls Mediation Responders Handle: “At the inception of the Mediation Response Unit at the Dayton Mediation Center, considerable time and attention were devoted to identifying the types of calls that would be most appropriately addressed by a Mediation Responder. Through careful collaboration among the Dayton Mediation Center, the Dayton Police Department, City officials, and organizations with expertise in alternative response models, a defined scope of non-emergency, non-violent calls was established for MRU response. Calls determined to be more emergent, violent, or to present a heightened safety concern were designated for response by the Dayton Police Department. This collaborative approach established clear parameters for the MRU while ensuring that each call could receive a response appropriate to the circumstances and level of need.”