Find alternatives to calling the Los Angeles 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
- 211LA
- Connects caller with the Coordinated Entry System for adults with children to access LA County shelters, as well as providing information about other local resource access.
- 211
- https://www.211la.org/
- LA-HOP
- LA’s Homeless Outreach Portal operated by LAHSA in cooperation with LA Dept. of Mental Health and community partners. Fill out an outreach request online and include specific concerns you may have regarding the person’s well-being. Provide outreach services including homeless services navigation, mental health first aid, motivational interviewing, and trauma informed care. As outreach capacity is limited, requests for those with more serious medical and/or mental health needs may be prioritized.
- https://www.lahsa.org/portal/apps/la-hop/request
- SELAH
- Homelessness coalition serving Silver Lake, Echo Park, Los Feliz, Atwater and Highland Park neighborhoods – housing, meal, shower, and other services
- Selahnhc@gmail.com
- Selahnhc.org
LGBTQ+
- Los Angeles LGBT Center
- Provides guidance, resources, and referrals for the LGBTQ+ community. Operates health clinic, DV/family violence assistance, and HIV/STD testing. Not a crisis line.
- Legal services: (323) 860-7649
- Counseling: (323) 860-5806
- https://lalgbtcenter.org/
- Youth Emerging Stronger (YES)
- 24/7 with comprehensive support and resources for minor runaways homeless youth (age 12-17) and young people experiencing homelessness (age 18-24). LGBTQ+ affirming.
- (323) 240-2253
Mental Health
- Access Crisis Hotline
- 24/7 Mobile Crisis Response team. ACCESS operates 24 hours/day, 7 days/week as the entry point for mental health services in Los Angeles County. Services include deployment of crisis evaluation teams, information and referrals, gatekeeping of acute inpatient psychiatric beds, interpreter services and patient transport. Request Psychiatric Mobile Response team – team is made up of two DMH clinicians; law enforcement will be involved only if requested by clinicians based on danger assessment.
- 1 (800) 854-7771 (Press 1 for crisis services)
- https://dmh.lacounty.gov/our-services/disaster-services/access-hotline/
- Community Helpline
- Community Helpline has been taking crisis calls since 1971, helping callers work through feelings that range from loneliness & depression, to suicide. Serves all of California.
- 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., 7 days a week.
- (877) 541-2525
- http://chelpline.org/
- Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Hotline
- Multilingual 24/7 Crisis Line. Crisis counselors also answer calls for Teen Line and the national Disaster Distress Helpline and use Crisis Text to communicate with those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- 1 (800) 273-8255 (English and Spanish, 24/7)
- 1 (877) 727-4747 (Korean, “peak evening hours”)
- Deaf or hard of hearing: Text “HEARME” to 839863. The service is available 24/7
- https://didihirsch.org/services/suicide-prevention/crisis-services/
- Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Crisis Centers
- 24-7 Crisis Response. City service.
- (213) 381-5111
- (310) 391-1253
- Psychiatric Mobile response Team (LA County Dept. of Mental Health)
- Local offices operating within the purview of the ACCESS crisis line (above). DMH clinicians designated per Welfare and Institutions Code 5150/5585 to perform evaluations for involuntary detention of individuals determined to be at risk of harming themselves or others or who are unable to provide food, clothing, or shelter as a result of a mental disorder. As above, crisis team is two DMH clinicians – law enforcement will be involved only if requested by clinicians based on danger assessment.
- (310) 482-3260 (West Side)
- (310) 534-1083 (South Bay)
- (661) 223-3838 (Antelope Valley)
- (213) 351-2813 (Downtown)
- (626) 430-2901 (San Gabriel Valley/Pomona)
- (818) 832-2410 (San Fernando/Santa Clarita)
- (310) 668-5150 (South LA)
- (562) 467-0209 (East LA County)
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
- Jenesse Center, Inc.
- Jenesse Center Inc. is a nationally recognized non-profit domestic violence prevention and intervention organization.
- 1 (800) 479-7328 (24/7 Hotline for emergency shelter and services)
- https://jenesse.org/
- Jewish Family Services
- 24-Hour Hotline for crisis intervention and supportive services for victims of family or partner violence
- (818) 505-0900 (English)
- (323) 681-2626 (Spanish)
- https://www.jfsla.org/hope
- Peace Over Violence
- Crisis intervention, counseling, support – 24-Hour hotlines. Hotlines can provide referrals and information, including to emergency shelters. This organization partners with police in their programs, including the Sexual Assault Response Team, which works in cooperation with law enforcement and local hospitals.
- Central LA: (213) 626-3396
- South LA: (310) 392-8381
- Pasadena/West SG Valley: (626) 793-3385
- www.peaceoverviolence.org
- Shelter Assistance Hotline – help with shelter placement, admission
- (310) 281-2822
- YWCA of Greater Los Angeles
- In a safe, non-judgmental atmosphere, the YWCA GLA offers rape survivors the support they need and extends this support to family and friends. 24-Hour Crisis Hotline providing crisis services to callers age 12 and up.
- 1 (877) 943-5778
- Ongoing services provided out of locations in Compton, South Los Angeles, and South Bay/Long Beach
- https://ywcagla.org/what-we-do/programs/sexual-assault/
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.
- California Coalition for Youth
- Youth Crisis Hotline – 24/7
- statewide emergency response system for youth (ages 12-24) and families in crisis with access to over 5,500 free or low-cost resources for youth and families in crisis
- 1 (800) 843-5200
- https://calyouth.org/cycl/
- Children of the Night
- Skilled Children of the Night Case Managers assist young American sex trafficking victims with 24-hour services 7 days a week. Whether they need rescue from pimps, access to medical services, emergency & non-emergency transportation, mental health services, psychiatric evaluations or access to psychotropic medications, Children of the Night is ready to serve.
- 1 (800) 551-1300 x 0
- https://www.childrenofthenight.org/
- Youth Emerging Stronger (YES)
- 24/7 with comprehensive support and resources for minor runaways homeless youth (age 12-17) and young people experiencing homelessness (age 18-24). LGBTQ+ affirming.
- (323) 240-2253
- https://www.youthemergingstronger.org/get-help-now
Elders
- Jewish Family Services
- JFS offers a variety of support services and practical help including referral and advocacy, outreach, care management, counseling, consultation, assistance with reparations and claim forms, intergenerational programs, crisis intervention, and financial assistance to low income survivors of the holocaust.
- (877) 275-4537
- https://www.jfsla.org/cafeeuropa
- LA Food Resources for Seniors
- 1 (800) 510 – 2020
- LA County Adult Protective Services
- Adult Protective Services (APS) provides a 24-7 system of in person response to reports of abuse and self-neglect about developmentally disabled adults, physically and mentally disabled adults, and the elderly who may be victims of abuse.
- 1 (877) 477-3646
- https://wdacs.lacounty.gov/programs/aps/
- WISE and Health Aging
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman services for suspected abuse at a care center or nursing home.
- 1 (800) 334-WISE (9473) (Hotline – Available 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday)
- For after hours crisis care: (800) 231-4024
- https://www.wiseandhealthyaging.org/
Crime
Coming soon.
Substance abuse
Coming soon.
Please consider using these alternatives to calling the Los Angeles 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.