Responding to 911 Calls With Sweatpants and Snacks, Not Guns
Since last June, the City of Denver has been trying something new with its 911 emergency response system. In an effort to reduce violent conflicts with police, some calls are being redirected to a new team of paramedics and social workers, called STAR, or Support Team Assisted Response. The pilot program has proven enormously popular, with the team responding to almost 1,400 calls over the course of the year with zero referrals to police. Host Bree Davies sits down with one of STAR’s mental health clinicians Carleigh Sailon to hear what it’s like to respond to a 911 call and what she hopes for the future of the program.
Here’s how to request assistance from STAR directly if you ever need to: 720-913-STAR (7827)
For more on the STAR program and other Denver news worth knowing, subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/
And follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Stay connected to City Cast Denver and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Kyle Clark on GOP Exorcisms, CD-8 Switcheroos, and Tornado False Alarms
Can Victor Marx conduct exorcisms over the phone? The ordained minister and front-runner in the GOP primary for governor says so, and mad...
Senator Michael Bennet on Housing Affordability, Redistricting, and How He’s Different From Gov. Polis
Michael Bennet has represented Colorado in congress since 2009. Now, the U.S. senator is running for governor – and is in the midst of a...
Attorney General Phil Weiser on Data Center Moratoriums, Bike Lanes, and His Run for Governor
Governor Jared Polis is serving his final term and the Democratic primary race to replace him is heated. Attorney General Phil Weiser joi...
UMS or Blucifer's First Rodeo? Plus, Bike Fest, CD1 Primary Challengers, and More From the Mailbag!
Host Bree Davies and Producer Olivia Jewell Love are opening up the City Cast Denver mailbag to hear listeners’ thoughts on everything fr...
Where Denver Falls in the Harm Reduction Conversation
When it comes to numbers, the story of drug-related overdose deaths in America is simple. They increased slowly and steadily through the...
'Your City Could Be Better': How Las Vegas Saves More Water Than Any Other City — Presented By City Cast Denver
Denver recycles some of its water, but not as much as Las Vegas, where the water there stays in the city. How else could a desert city po...
Council Loses a Progressive Champion, Gay Bar Turtle Drama, and the Summer Mosquito Forecast
The Colfax staple Charlie’s got into trouble this week after a video posted to social media showed six little turtles “racing” on the leg...
Wanda James on Working for Barack Obama, Being Censured, and Running for Congress
Diana DeGette has been representing Denver in congress since 1997, winning reelection 14 times in nearly 30 years on the job. The 1st Con...
Melat Kiros on Money in Politics, Antisemitism, and Her Run for Congress
Could Denver see a new face in congress in 2026? Diana DeGette has held the 1st Congressional District seat for nearly thirty years, hand...
Will the Broncos Stadium Actually Get Built By 2030? Plus, AI Backlash in Englewood and Which Congressperson Snubbed Us?
Last week the City of Englewood shared a video about the work they are doing to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. But the municipality was...