New Organizational Structure

On Tuesday, Mayor Lurie outlined a transformative plan aimed at consolidating the city’s previously fragmented outreach teams. The initiative will streamline the current nine teams—each operating under different departments and methodologies—into five cohesive, neighborhood-centric units, in addition to a citywide roving team.

Leadership and Coordination

Each of the revamped teams will be supervised by officials from the Department of Emergency Management, ensuring a coordinated effort that integrates city services, law enforcement, and community feedback. “Our objective is to develop one unified system, one mission, one accountable structure,” Lurie emphasized during a news conference.

Addressing Criticism and Challenges

The street outreach teams play a crucial role in addressing emergencies such as overdoses and mental health crises. However, an audit conducted in late 2023 raised concerns regarding the system’s effectiveness, highlighting dysfunction and the need for improvement in securing housing and treatment for individuals in need.

In response to mounting pressure from the public to enhance street conditions, Lurie previously indicated his intent to reform the outreach teams through an executive directive. He highlighted the importance of personalized interactions, stating, “We want team members to be familiar with individuals in crisis by name, focusing on humane alternatives to living on the streets.”

Immediate Response and Community Engagement

Mary Ellen Carroll, director of the Department of Emergency Management, elaborated that the new structure will include identifying “daily hotspots that need immediate attention” and prioritizing assistance to individuals who are both disruptive and in dire need of help.

“This new structure is already facilitating closer coordination across various teams,” Carroll noted, discussing the ongoing efforts to improve operational effectiveness since the mayor took office.

Real-World Impacts

To underline the urgency of the situation, Lurie shared two poignant examples: a 91-year-old woman who expressed fear in leaving her apartment due to drug activity outside her home, and a family with young children who felt unsafe to venture outdoors because of nearby drug-related disturbances.

“Those streets need to be clear of that activity,” Lurie asserted, expressing a commitment to restoring safety to public spaces.