Orlando OKs plan to send counselors instead of cops to some calls By RYAN GILLESPIE ORLANDO SENTINEL | DEC 07, 2020 AT 6:19 PM Orlando city commissioners on Monday signed off on a one-year plan to send mental health counselors to certain nonviolent police calls and extended its test of sidewalk scooters through July. Under the plan, two teams of Aspire Health Partners' mental health clinicians and case managers would respond to 911 calls about nonviolent suicidal people or people experiencing mental illness who need assistance. In 2019, the Orlando Police Department responded to more than 3,700 such calls, an average of about 10 per day. "I believe this pilot has the potential to moving us closer to having the appropriate response to our community's need," said Commissioner Bakari Burns, who noted the Orange County Jail is the county's largest mental health provider. "We do not need to criminalize mental illness." Commissioners unanimously signed off on the agreement with Aspire Health Partners, who will be routed the calls from 911 dispatch. However, some commissioners wavered, wanting more specifics about how the pilot program would be measured and adjusted. "I'm very hesitant, but in the spirit in trying to give this all the spirit and energy we can – I'll go along," said Commissioner Jim Gray. Following the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis and nationwide protests throughout the summer — including in Orlando — activists have pushed for changes to police tactics, including sending fewer law enforcement officers to calls involving people experiencing mental distress or substance abuse issues. Orlando's one-year pilot will begin operating in February. City leaders also voted 6-1 to extend a pilot program for battery-powered scooters, with Commissioner Patty Sheehan voting in opposition. Discussion around the extension centered around long-term plans for the battery-operated sidewalk scooters, which saw more than 400,000 rides since they were rolled out last January. Commissioner Robert Stuart said the city needs to be prepared to walk away from the mode of transportation when the pilot is up if the industry doesn't meet its standards. "Are we prepared to say no?" Stuart said. "If we're prepared to make that statement, then let's extend it. But an option in the future has to be no." Scooters have been popular for people commuting to run errands or to go to work, but with 1,700 of the devices around town, some have complained about "scooter litter." Cities across the country have grappled with the technology, attempting to balance safety with convenience. Under the extension, companies would be required to redistribute the scooters from neighborhoods and far-flung areas to more central locations every 24 hours, and the city could look into docking stations to promote safe parking. Commissioner Regina Hill has pushed for the city to limit the companies who receive permits after the extension. Currently six are operating here. "There's no way we can monitor all that so I'm in support of the reduction of all of that," Hill said. In casting the lone vote in opposition, Sheehan cited nuisance vehicles blocking sidewalks and scooters strewn about neighborhoods. "My experience in my district with these scooters…has not been positive," she said. "I like the concept of your product but I hate the implementation of it." - - - rygillespie@orlandosentinel.com