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Charlotte, NC

Find alternatives to calling the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Typically, people call the police because they are experiencing or perceive an emergency and need immediate assistance. In order to provide the most effective alternatives to calling the police or 911, unless otherwise indicated, the resources included here are limited to those that offer immediate assistance through emergency or crisis services.

These resources may be obligated to call police in the case of an immediate risk of harm to the caller or another, child abuse, or abuse of a vulnerable adult. Where we know or suspect that a resource may work in cooperation with law enforcement or involve them beyond what is required by law, we acknowledge that in the listing.

These resources are not intended to cover all situations, only to provide the services described. If you are in danger of immediate harm and feel safe doing so, call 911.

Housing
LGBTQ+
Mental Health
Domestic violence & Sexual assault
Youth
Elders
Crime
Substances

Housing

  • 211 by United Way
    • Available 24/7/365 and fluent in multiple languages, NC 2-1-1’s trained call specialists will facilitate a telephone assessment then direct callers to an available homeless shelter, housing assistance or other community resources. 
    • 2-1-1 or (888) 892-1162
  • Crisis Assistance Ministry
    • Curbside rent and utility assistance is available for Mecklenburg County residents at 500-A Spratt St on Monday – Friday from 8:30am – 5:00pm. Payments are made directly to the landlord or utility company.
    • (704) 371-3001
    • https://www.crisisassistance.org/

LGBTQ+

  • There’s Still Hope
    • A trans-led non-profit 501(c)3 organization that sits under the umbrella of Essentials for Life Ministries as an Outreach project designed to provide emergency-temporary shelter for transgender adults and victims of domestic violence and their family. 
    • (980) 494-3230
    • Apply for assistance here
    • https://www.tshcharlotte3.org/
  • TimeOut Youth – Host Home

Mental Health

  • Atrium Health Behavioral Health Charlotte
    • Crisis intervention help line, staffed by masters-level mental health professionals and registered nurses available 24-hours a day, seven days a week. The team answering the phone can also make referrals to behavioral health specialists and offer information on community behavioral health resources. Atrium Health also has the only free-standing, dedicated psychiatric emergency room in the Charlotte, NC region.
    • (704) 444-2400 (24/7 Help Line)
  • CriSys
    • 24/7 Hotline. Assists persons with mental health, developmental disabilities, or substance abuse issues, we also can be utilized to help individuals and families or communities overwhelmed in a situational crisis; such as a victim of crime, hostage situation, witness to violence or fatal or multiple injury scenes, post homicide or suicide.
    • (704) 566-3410 (Select Option 1)
    • https://www.thesantegroup.org/mecklenburg-county-crisis
  • Hopeline
    • Free and confidential crisis and suicide prevention helpline that offers crisis intervention, supportive and non-judgmental active listening, gentle and understanding discussion of crisis resolution, and referrals to appropriate community resources.
    • Call 24-Hours, Monday – Friday; 9 a.m. – 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Text Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
    • (919) 231-4525 or (877) 235-4525 (Call or text)
    • https://www.hopeline-nc.org/
  • NAMI Charlotte Mobile Crisis Team
    • Emergency psychiatric assessment, immediate intervention for family crises, interventions for parents and children and assistance to the hospital or other appropriate psychiatric care for residents of Mecklenburg County
    • (704) 566–3410
  • Promise Resource Network Warmline
    • A 24/7 talk support line for people experiencing mental health or substance-related difficulties. Phone lines are staffed by volunteers with lived experience who can relate and engage with callers. Services are trauma-informed and operators are trained in de-escalation of suicidal ideation; focus is on breaking stigma, empowering the caller, and establishing a support network. Can also provide referrals to local peer supports. Available for in-state callers for up to 45 minutes (15 minutes for out-of-state). Calls are confidential and free.
    • In-person Hub: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Mon. – Fri.
    • 2224 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205
    • (833) 390-7728 (24/7)
    • https://promiseresourcenetwork.org/get-support/

Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault

  • Greater Charlotte Hope Line
    • A 24/7 hotline for Mecklenburg County residents seeking help for parenting support, domestic violence and sexual assault. This free resource is confidential, safe, and staffed by highly trained advocates who have the knowledge and empathy necessary to help those who call.
    • (980) 771-4673
    • https://www.safealliance.org/programs/greater-charlotte-hope-line/
  • There’s Still Hope
    • A trans-led non-profit 501(c)3 organization that sits under the umbrella of Essentials for Life Ministries as an Outreach project designed to provide emergency-temporary shelter for transgender adults and victims of domestic violence and their family. 
    • (980) 494-3230
    • Apply for assistance here
    • https://www.tshcharlotte3.org/

Youth

Please note, people answering these calls may be mandatory reporters, and required to make a report to CPS or law enforcement in certain situations. Learn about local mandatory reporter laws here.

  • Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center
    • Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center coordinates the investigation, prosecution and treatment of the most severe cases of child abuse in Mecklenburg County. As the only child advocacy center in Charlotte, Pat’s Place serves children from birth through age 18. All services are provided in a nurturing, friendly and safe environment at no cost to a child’s family.
    • 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday
    • (704) 335-2760
    • https://www.patsplacecac.org/
  • The Relatives
    • Emergency shelter for youth. Providing a safe location for youth ages 7-17 who need a safe place to stay because they have run away from home, are homeless, or are in transition under the care of the Department of Social Services.
    • (704) 377-0602 (24/7 Crisis Hotline)
    • https://therelatives.org/
  • With Friends
    • 24 hour emergency shelter for youth male and female ages 10-17. Free for up to 21 days. 24-hour crisis intervention services.
    • (704) 691-7116 (24/7 Crisis Hotline)
    • http://www.withfriendsinc.com/

Elders

Coming soon.

Crime

  • CriSys
    • 24/7 Hotline. Can be utilized to help individuals and families or communities overwhelmed in a situational crisis; such as a victim of crime, hostage situation, witness to violence or fatal or multiple injury scenes, post homicide or suicide.
    • (704) 566-3410 (Select Option 1)
    • https://www.thesantegroup.org/mecklenburg-county-crisis

Substances

  • Charlotte Drug Abuse Hotline
    • (704) 535-8293
  • Charlotte Rescue Mission
    • Dove’s Nest women’s rehab facility and Rebound men’s rehab facility. People seeking assistance must call themselves.
    • (704) 333-HOPE (4673)
    • https://charlotterescuemission.org/

Find more alternatives in Charlotte at CLT Community Help

Please consider using these alternatives to calling the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department or 911 when faced with a situation that calls for de-escalation and/or intervention.

We have tried to indicate where police or law enforcement may work with the alternative resources listed; please let us know if you have any concerns about these resources.

Reimagine public safety. Don’t call the police.

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