Portland Street Response launched in 2021 to ease pressure on police and firefighters by sending unarmed responders to nonviolent crisis calls. After years of struggles with staffing and resources, the program got a major boost this year: Mayor Keith Wilson expanded its scope and City Council made it an equal branch of public safety with a goal of 24/7 service. Today, we’re talking with two key PSR officials, April Roa and Caroline Pope, about what’s changed, the challenges ahead, and how close they are to round-the-clock coverage.

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Learn more about the sponsors of this September 4th episode:

• Rose City Comic Con
• Portland Art Museum
• Cathedral Park Cohousing