Attorney General Davenport Announces Expansion of the ARRIVE Together Program

Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced today that every municipality in Mercer County is covered by the ARRIVE (Alternative Responses to Reduce Instances of Violence and Escalation) Together initiative. Pennington Police Department joins Mercer County’s other municipal departments in partnering with mental health professionals and resources from Capital Health Medical Center when officers recognize when a person would benefit from mental or behavioral health support. Law enforcement officers increasingly have been expected to perform roles outside standard police training, particularly when responding to individuals who would benefit from the intervention and support of behavioral health experts.

ARRIVE Together models provide law enforcement agencies with the resources necessary to respond safely and effectively in those circumstances. “I saw firsthand as both a federal prosecutor and an outreach and reentry coordinator how programs that build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve keep New Jerseyans safe. Combining mental health professionals with law enforcement in responding to some crises just makes sense – and it strengthens public safety,” said Governor Mikie Sherrill.

“We know ARRIVE Together works because it has had more than 21,500 successful interactions across New Jersey since its creation, including nearly 700 in Mercer County even before its countywide expansion. I’m grateful to Attorney General Davenport for her continued effort to expand its reach.” “In communities across New Jersey, ARRIVE Together is keeping communities safer, helping people in need of behavioral health services gain access to care, and increasing trust in law enforcement. Today, more than 81% of New Jerseyans have access to a resource that changes lives,” said Attorney General Davenport.

“Mercer County has demonstrated their commitment to making New Jersey safer by participating in this groundbreaking program.” “ARRIVE Together has proven that collaboration between law enforcement and behavioral health professionals works,” said Tiffany Wilson, Director of the Office of Alternative and Community Responses. “When experts bring their individual expertise to a multi-faceted situation, the result is a safer, more compassionate New Jersey.” “We’re extremely pleased that all of Mercer County is now implementing ARRIVE Together,” said Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. “The program has been an overwhelming success in our communities.

The partnership between officers and mental and behavioral health professionals has advanced law enforcement’s capability to use tactics such as time and de-escalation techniques, and crisis intervention teams to better respond to individuals in the community. This has resulted in a dynamic shift in our ability to refer persons in crisis and offer the best possible restorative alternatives.” Mercer County is the state’s 10th county to have ARRIVE coverage in every municipality. Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Monmouth, Morris, Sussex, and Union counties also have ARRIVE coverage available in all of their municipalities.