# Baltimore expands 911 beyond emergency calls

Baltimore is redesigning its 911 system to include non-emergency services like mental health crisis support and social service referrals. The goal is to reduce police involvement in non-criminal incidents and provide more appropriate, community-based responses. This shift reflects a broader trend in U.S. cities to reimagine public safety.

**Importance:** 3/5

## Sources

### Health
- [NPR Health](https://www.npr.org/2026/07/27/nx-s1-5874720/baltimore-will-turn-911-into-more-than-just-an-emergency-number) — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400