Find alternatives to calling the Duluth 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
- Another Door Emergency Housing Program
- Emergency shelter for young adults, ages 18-24, experiencing homelessness. Offers supportive assistance to help you develop a plan to achieve your goals while you transition to stability, including help developing a Living Plan.
- (218) 391-5145
- https://www.lssmn.org/services/youth-homelessness/duluth/another-door-emergency-housing
- CHUM Center
- An emergency shelter offering a safe, chemical-free environment. Day center also provides hygiene and lifeline services, including showers, phone use, and hot meals from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily. Permanent supportive housing also available. Walk-in times up to 4 p.m. daily.
- 125 N 1st Ave W, Duluth, MN 55802
- (218) 726-0153, Extension
LGBTQ+
- Lifehouse – Safe Harbor Program
- Lifehouse youth center’s Safe Harbor program provides a continuum of care for underage male, female, and gender nonconforming victims of sex trafficking and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation.
- 102 W. First Street, Duluth, MN 55802
- (218) 722-7431, ext. 125
- OutFront Minnesota
- OutFront’s Anti-Violence Program Crisis Line provides crisis intervention services, legal assistance, confidential crisis counseling, and other advocacy services for LGBTQ+ victims of violence and harassment.
- 1 (800) 800-0350 or (612) 822-0127
- https://www.outfront.org/crisis-anti-violence
Mental Health
- Birch Tree Health and Wellness
- Mental health services including 24-hour mobile crisis support. The mobile crisis team consists of two mental health staff members who are available 24/7 to respond to a mental health crisis. Mobile crisis interventions are face-to-face, short term mental health services to help an individual identify and use available resource, avoid unnecessary hospitalization, develop action plans, and more. They will come to your location.
- (218) 623-1800 or (844) 77-BIRCH
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
- Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse (CASDA)
- Provides emergency shelter, counseling, and advocacy services to victims of sexual and domestic abuse and their families. Via their 24-hour help line, CASDA provides crisis counseling, emotional support, information and referrals.
- (800) 649-2921 (24-Hour Helpline)
- https://casda.org/
- Day One Crisis Line
- For people experiencing experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault or sexual violence, human trafficking or simply questioning aspects of their relationship, advocates are available 24/7 to listen and give information and resources.
- 1 (866) 223-1111 or (715) 392-3136 (24-Hour crisis helpline)
- http://www.dayoneservices.org/
- Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault (PAVSA)
- Provides a crisis line that is answered by trained sexual assault advocates 24 hours a day. Staff and volunteer advocates are available to answer any questions related to sexual violence as well as offer ongoing support and consultation. Also provides hospital advocacy, medical exams, and accompaniment to report assault to law enforcement. All services free and confidential.
- (218) 726-1931 (24-Hour Crisis)
- (218) 726-1442 (General)
- https://pavsa.org/
- Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center
- Provides services to women, non-binary people, children, and all survivors whose lives have been affected by physical, emotional, sexual, and economic abuse. Services include emergency shelter, legal advocacy, safety planning, and support groups. 24-hour crisis line can connect callers with emergency shelter, phones, and transportation assistance. Crisis line will also assist men in need of shelter. Serves Duluth and Northern Minnesota.
- (218) 728-6481 (24/7)
- http://safehavenshelter.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.
- Lifehouse
- A youth center providing emergency shelter, drop in services to youth experiencing homelessness, free counseling, and meals. LGBTQ+ affirming.
- Lunch for ages 19-24: Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday 11am – 1:30pm; Wednesday 12pm – 1pm
- Dinner for ages 15-19: Monday – Friday 3pm – 5:30pm
- 102 W. First Street, Duluth, MN 55802
- (218) 722-7431 (ext. 126 for drop-in center)
- https://lifehouseduluth.org/
- Lutheran Social Service
- Operates Bethany Crisis Shelter, an emergency shelter for youth. LSS services includes an anonymous, 24-hour crisis line for youth, including runaways, or concerned parents.
- (218) 626-2726
Elders
- Minnesota Elder Justice Center
- Trained advocates can listen and support victims and loved ones through abuse, neglect and financial exploitation, provide referrals, assist with safety plans, and more. Services are free and confidential.
- (651) 440-9300
- https://elderjusticemn.org/
Crime
- Day One Crime Victim Support Line
- Day One hosts the statewide support line for general crime victims. Help is available to you no matter where you’re located in the state of Minnesota. 24/7 support line.
- 1 (866) 385-2699
- Text: (612) 399-9977
- https://dayoneservices.org/
Substances
- Center for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
- Medically managed sub-acute detoxification from alcohol and drugs. Residential opioid detoxification program. Located at the Center for Drug and Alcohol Treatment in Duluth, and open 24/7. Walk-in assessments during business hours.
- 1402 East Superior Street, Duluth, MN 55805
- (218) 723-8444
- Rural AIDS Action Network
- Services include a syringe exchange program, providing sterile injection supplies to injection drug users, HIV and Hepatitis testing, medical case management, and support groups.
- 18 West First Street, Duluth, MN 55802
- (218) 481-7225
- https://raan.org/
Please consider using these alternatives to calling the Duluth 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.