November 7, 2023
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In 2021, in consultation with the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) and community stakeholders, the New Jersey Attorney General's Office and the New Jersey State Police piloted the Alternative Responses to Reduce Instances of Violence and Escalation (ARRIVE) Together program, which pairs State Troopers, trained in crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques, with certified mental health screeners and crisis specialists to respond to 911 calls involving behavioral health incidents. Since then, ARRIVE Together program models have been implemented in Bergen, Hudson, Essex, Union, Middlesex, Somerset, Mercer, Ocean, Atlantic, Camden, Cumberland, and Cape May counties. Now, as announced on October 31, 2023, Hunterdon County has launched its ARRIVE Together program, effective November 1, 2023, marking the 13th of New Jersey's 21 counties that have launched ARRIVE Together programs. Renee M. Robeson, Hunterdon County Prosecutor, was quoted in the announcement of the launch saying, "ARRIVE Together for Hunterdon County is anticipated to have much success due to the mutual respect and collaborative efforts of the leadership at Hunterdon Medical Center, the municipal police departments, and their governing bodies, the HCPO [Hudson County Prosecutor's Office], and the Attorney General's Office. Together we can save lives and keep our officers safe." Governor Murphy's FY2024 State Budget included a $10 million investment aimed at expanding the ARRIVE Together program to all of New Jersey's 21 counties "in hopes of becoming the first statewide law enforcement and mental health public safety collaboration in the country," as shared in an August 2023 news release from the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General. Click here to access a map of all NJ counties in which ARRIVE Together programs have been launched, and for more information on the program, and click here to access the launch announcement from the Office of the Hunterdon County Prosecutor. |
