Baltimore council set to vote on new crisis response department
The measure would split MONSE from the mayor's office and create a dedicated unit for nonviolent emergencies.
By Lucas Navarro ·
Baltimore City Council will vote on a final decision Monday to restructure how the city handles nonviolent emergencies. The proposal seeks to create a new Department of Neighborhood Safety. Supporters argue the change will separate mental health crises from standard police responses. The vote is set to begin at 5 p.m. during the regular council session.
The legislation targets a long-standing gap in local emergency services. Currently, police officers frequently respond to calls involving individuals in mental health distress. Council President Zeke Cohen stated that the city has discussed a superior crisis response system for decades. He noted that having a phone number is insufficient without the physical infrastructure to handle the situation. The new department would provide that dedicated support structure.
Cohen emphasized that the plan borrows ideas from other municipalities while adapting them to local needs. He described the goal as ensuring residents receive the appropriate type of help when they call. The new unit would operate independently from the existing police framework. This separation aims to reduce the burden on law enforcement for nonviolent incidents.
The bill also reorganizes the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, known as MONSE. It would codify the office's functions into law and make it a standalone department. This move removes MONSE from the direct control of the mayor's office. It places the unit under greater oversight by the City Council. The council intends this structure to increase accountability and transparency in operations.
The push for reform follows scrutiny of MONSE leadership. Mark Mason, the Chief of Victim Services, allegedly advocated for the early release of Tyree Reynolds. Police identified Reynolds in connection with a shooting at a youth football game on Oct. 3. The incident raised questions about internal protocols and decision-making within the office. The new legislation aims to address these structural concerns through formal statutory boundaries.
Not all council members support the immediate passage of the bill. Councilman Mark Conway voted against the measure during its second reading. He cited concerns about unresolved internal issues and the cost of implementation. Conway stated that the administration has acknowledged problems within MONSE, but the council has not fully addressed them. He argued that the city needs to resolve these issues before establishing the new department.
