Community Alliance Division
CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM
The purpose of the Crisis Intervention Team is to increase the effectiveness of the Fort Worth Police Department by facilitating communication between FWPD and the behavioral health community. CIT also wants to develop a foundation that promotes effective solutions for assisting those in a mental health crises or with behavioral health challenges; reducing the need for individuals in crisis to have further involvement with the criminal justice system; develop and oversee the department’s multi-faceted strategies for improving response, interaction, and follow-up with individuals in acute mental health crises and to provide guidance in the area of training, policy, procedures, and oversight; while improving the safety of officers and the Fort Worth community.
The mission of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is to reduce the hazards associated with interactions between law enforcement and people suffering from mental illness as well as proactively engage mental health individuals who pose a threat to the community. CIT partners with Tarrant County MHMR Law Liaisons who are subject matter experts that work directly with CIT officers in the field to provide the best mental health response that the citizens of Fort Worth deserve.
Mental Health resources that are available to the community are listed below:
- Tarrant County MHMR iCare (817) 335-3022
- National suicide hotline, dial 988 from any phone
- John Petersmith Hospital psych emergency (817) 702-3636
- Visit nami.org (National Alliance on Mental Illness). NAMI provides advocacy, education, support, and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.
HOPE UNIT
The Homeless Outreach Programs & Enforcement (HOPE) Unit was created to be a hub of information and resources for those experiencing homelessness and to address homelessness- related concerns within the Near East Neighborhood corridor, including the B12 and a portion of the B13 beat. An overall reduction in violent crime and medical calls has been seen as a result of the increased presence in the Near East Neighborhood corridor. Being such a small team, consisting of two dedicated enforcing officers and two dedicated officers for private and public property camping complaints, the HOPE Unit greatly appreciates any additional efforts of regular patrols within the area by Central Division and other passing units.
The primary mission of the HOPE Unit is to build a rapport within the homeless community and by doing so, to address and reduce the violent and criminal activities in these populations. The HOPE Unit strives to maintain a positive impact by providing connections to services and attempting to instill a sense of self-worth in those considered chronically homeless. The HOPE Unit recognizes the enforcement balance between the homeless population and the community and acts to serve as a bridge for community issues involving homelessness. A primary goal for the HOPE Unit is to coordinate a response to those in need and to fill the gap between people experiencing homelessness, law enforcement, and other private outreach agencies.
Local shelter and resource information:
- DRC – Day Resource Center (for resources/ID’s/housing assessments) 1100 E. Lancaster Ave. Phone 817-810-9797
- UGM – Union Gospel Mission Shelter 1331 E. Lancaster Ave. Phone 817-338-8400
- PNS - Presbyterian Night Shelter 2400 Cypress St. (men) 2401 Cypress St. (Female) Phone 817-632-7415
- Trueworth Place (for resources/ID’s) – 1513 E. Presidio St. Phone 817-289-7474
- Salvation Army (women/families) – 1855 E. Lancaster Ave. Phone 817-344-1800
- Center for Transforming Lives - transforminglives.org 512 W 4th St, Fort Worth, TX 76102 Phone 817-332-6191
For homeless resource guides and information, visit the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition website at https://ahomewithhope.org/
For information about the City of Fort Worth Directions Home program, visit https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/departments/neighborhoods/directions-home
To report homeless camp locations, use the MYFW APP at the link below. Once in the APP, go to the Frequently Reported tab and select Homeless Camp from the menu.
https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/departments/communications/customercare/myfw
Handle with Care Program
The Fort Worth Police Department Handle with Care program is modeled after the West Virginia Defending
Childhood Initiative and is a multiagency collaborative effort to increase knowledge and awareness when a
student has experienced a traumatic event. For more information, please see the documents and video below.
1. Video Handle-With-Care
2. Flyer Handle-With-Care
3. Info Handle-With-Care
4. Flow Chart Handle-With-Care
Contact Info
Captain AJ Williams #3132
Community Alliance Division
HOPE/CIT/CRU/Peer Support/Police Reserves
Handle with Care Coordinator
682-774-2488