Revolutionizing Emergency Responses: New Jersey’s ARRIVE Program Combines Compassion and Safety

Sussex County, N.J., is now utilizing a new program that focuses on behavioral health interventions rather than immediate arrests for law enforcement officers facing potentially violent emergency situations. With the support of the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Atlantic Health System’s Newton Medical Center has launched the Alternative Responses to Reduce Instances of Violence and Escalation (ARRIVE) program. This program represents a groundbreaking initiative aimed at transforming responses to mental health crises and providing more compassionate and effective interventions in emergencies.

The ARRIVE program empowers law enforcement officers to use their discretion on the scene to determine whether a crisis hotline intervention would be more appropriate than arresting an individual. If deemed necessary, officers can contact Newton Medical Center’s crisis hotline to request a mental health assessment for the individual in need. By making these connections and providing access to mental health services, the program seeks to de-escalate volatile situations and create a safer and more supportive community environment.

Newton Medical Center, designated as the psychiatry screening center for Sussex County, plays a critical role in the success of this innovative program. By collaborating with law enforcement to address mental health crises in a more holistic and compassionate manner, the program aims to improve outcomes for individuals in crisis while reducing violence and enhancing community safety. To learn more about the impact and benefits of this groundbreaking initiative, visit Newton Medical Center’s website.