Title
Angels on Patrol
Description
This report provides the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee with information on the Angels on Patrol community organization.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
The Angels on Patrol’s mission continues to be as innovative and unique as when founded in 2009, by (now retired) Phoenix Police Lt. Jacqui MacConnell. Angels on Patrol (AoP) is the only organization in the country providing immediate and direct assistance by placing the initiative in the hands of on-duty police officers. In the course of their patrol shifts and duties, officers encounter many situations that do not fit within their required work responsibilities. Nonetheless, officers feel compelled to help and go above and beyond the call. AoP is proudly there as a direct resource for officers when an immediate intervention is required.
A police officer’s common duties include controlling traffic, patrolling neighborhoods, responding to emergency calls, writing citations, delivering warrants, and arresting violators. However, officers operating daily as caring community connectors often referred to as Angels on Patrol. Officers take the extra time to help in order to stabilize community members in crisis and give at-risk youth an opportunity for leadership and enrichment activities.
What differentiates AoP from other crisis response or community services is the ability to move swiftly and efficiently. When a police officer makes a referral, AoP staff respond within two hours. This means families can be in a safer situation the same day. Most other organizations providing community assistance have long wait lists, require a family in crisis to make an appointment for the intake to take place, and must qualify before services are rendered. Emergency family shelters currently have a 6-8 week wait and domestic violence shelters rarely have immediate openings. This is challenging for officers when they encounter barriers and crisis situations as they often wish they could do more to help. Instead of paying out of their own pocket to keep a community member safe officers are able to place a request to AoP for assistance.
Impact
Many times the first line of defense to stabilize a child or family who are victims of crime are police officers. Given the limitations of available immediate community resources, officers utilize AoP to assist families they encounter and immediately remove them from danger and mitigate the crisis. This not only helps the community, but also creates an environment where officers can be viewed positively to those they are assisting and in the community. AoP provides a positive outlet for officers and facilitates the provision of desperately needed services for families and children. According to www.endhomelesness.org, among families that reported domestic violence in the prior five years, 88 percent reported that it contributed to their homelessness. AoP strives to keep families healthy and create a healthy community.
AoP moves families from crisis to stability by addressing the immediate crisis then providing connections to temporary shelters and community resources for basic needs. These resources include food, clothing, utility payment assistance, employment services, and rental assistance to avoid eviction and homelessness. For example, AoP assists victims of domestic violence with immediate services that removes them from danger and connects them with resources in the community, such as domestic violence shelters.
AoP works in partnership with 13 law enforcement agencies across the Valley. In 2021, 324 requests were received benefiting over 1,200 community members. Of the total, 180 requests came from the Phoenix Police Department. As of Aug. 16, 2022, 128 requests have been received from Phoenix Police Officers, benefiting 317 Phoenix residents.
Financial Impact
The City Council recently awarded Block Watch money to AoP that will be used to purchase over 200 backpacks and school supplies for the community.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Police Department.