The Los Angeles City Council announced unarmed emergency responders will now begin to answer nonviolent calls, instead of police officers, according to Fox 11 in Los Angeles.
The measure would require the Los Angeles Police Department to work with various government agencies, including the LA Homeless Services Authority and Mental Health Department after receiving a call related to mental health and drug abuse.
The change would also move neighbor disputes and other nonviolent calls to other agencies than the LAPD.
"This is the dawn of a new era of public safety in Los Angeles," said Councilmember Herb Wesson, according to Fox 11. "The bottom line is that the way things have been going is not working for our communities. This last month has made that crystal clear. We have a responsibility to listen to our people, and our people have spoken."
Police departments around the country have reformed the way they enforce law since George Floyd died in police custody on May 25.
Wesson also said the measure would mark a shift in how Los Angeles deals with public safety and hoped other communities would soon follow.
"This won't solve all of our problems right away," Wesson said. "But this move marks a sea change in our city's approach to public safety and I'm optimistic cities and counties across the nation will follow our lead."
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