Community activists in Paterson say they are concerned with how mental health crisis calls are handled in the city. Earlier this year, a family’s call for help ended in the death of Najee Seabrooks following a standoff with police.

“…it really just sent shockwaves to the community because he was in the community trying to help to build an establish a trust between the police and the community. And for him to be the one that was taken out after he had a mental health crisis, it was very, very difficult for the community to accept,” said community activist Corey Teague.

In response, state Attorney General Matt Platkin announced the expansion of the Arrive Together program to handle mental health and emotional distress calls throughout the city.

“It’s a co-response model where law enforcement and mental health professionals arrive at the scene together,” Platkin said. “In other cases, like in Paterson, it’s a mental health-led solution. So, when an individual encounters law enforcement, a referral can be made and the response will be just from the mental health professional. It won’t be from the law-enforcement professional.”

Arrive Together comes months after the attorney general’s office took over the Paterson Police Department.

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh says the city is continuing to work on its own program, known as “Connect and Protect,” which received a federal grant. Sayegh says the initiative was in the works long before the takeover and is expected to be launched sometime next summer.

“It just can’t fall on the shoulders of police officers,” Sayegh said. “You have to have the professionals in the room that are trained. So, mental health clinicians will be on the scene along with police officers in Paterson.”

Arrive Together is expected to operate in all 21 counties of the state by the end of the year.