City council announces new Crisis Intervention Services Unit

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The City of Rochester is making some changes to the way it handles crisis situations.

On Wednesday, the city announced the creation of a new Crisis Intervention Services Unit. The unit will be split into two teams. One will provide support to families involved in homicide calls and the other will cover mental health and domestic violence calls.

According to Commissioner for the Department of Recreation and Youth Service Dr. Daniele Lyman-Torres, it’s a plan that’s been in the works long before news broke of Daniel Prude’s death.

"We know that a coordinated response to crisis calls in our community is essential to making sure these calls for help are handled appropriately and that those in crisis are given the care they need," Lyman-Torres said.

The city council has also approved funding to move the Family and Victims Services Office to the Department of Recreation and Youth Services.

City commissioner of Recreation and Youth Services and VP of city council announcing new crisis intervention unit now in Rec and Youth. Create non-police response to mental health, domestic violence and non-violent situations. @news10nbc pic.twitter.com/KB9HneaSRl

— Berkeley Brean (@whec_bbrean) September 16, 2020