San Francisco pilot program diverts 911 calls about homeless from police to new street crisis team

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — San Francisco will take a different approach when dealing with non-emergency calls involving the homeless. Rather than involve police, a street crisis team made up of Urban Alchemy workers will act like first responders.

Think of an urban alchemist as a school hallway monitor. There are about 853 of them scattered throughout areas that need the most attention.

Now the most experienced ones, about 25 people, will be part of a one-year pilot program called HEART, Homeless Engagement Assistance Response Team. People like Louis Hammonds trained in non-emergency situations.