The South Brunswick Police Department is pleased to announce the one-year milestone of our participation in the “Arrive Together Program”, a collaborative effort between law enforcement and mental health professionals to provide compassionate responses to individuals experiencing mental health crises.
This innovative program partners specially trained officers with licensed mental health professionals to ensure that individuals in crisis receive the care they need. Over the past year, Rutgers Behavioral Health mental health screener Michaela Durbin and Officer Ryan Bartunek have worked together and respond to 41 calls involving mental health emergencies. Their joint efforts focus on de-escalation, immediate mental health evaluations, and connecting individuals with vital resources and into the appropriate care.
Michaela Durbin, with her extensive expertise in mental health screening, provides essential on-site assessments, while Officer Bartunek and the Officers on scene maintain a safe environment. Together, they have successfully helped many community members in distress, improving outcomes for those in crisis. This partnership has also helped alleviate the use of unnecessary first responder resources, allowing us to direct those resources where they are truly needed.
The Arrive Together Program is an important step toward addressing mental health challenges with the appropriate care and empathy. We are proud to be part of this initiative, which continues to strengthen our commitment to the South Brunswick community.
For more information about the Arrive Together Program, visit the New Jersey Attorney General's website: Arrive Together - New Jersey Office of Attorney General (njoag.gov).
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