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Portland, ME

Find alternatives to calling the Portland Police Department.

Don't Call The Police logo, a database of alternatives to the police

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
Substance abuse

Housing

  • Preble Street – Housing First Program
    • Provides safe, affordable, permanent housing and support to chronically homeless men and women in Maine. Three permanent housing locations throughout Portland, Logan Place (adults), Florence House (women), and Huston Center (adults with disabilities). Florence House serves as women’s emergency shelter and Safe Place.
    • (207) 775-0026
    • https://www.preblestreet.org/what-we-do/housing-services/

LGBTQ+

Coming soon.

Mental Health

  • Maine Crisis Line
    • The single point of entry to Maine’s Behavioral Health Crisis Services System. Works with callers – individuals, families, youth, elderly, veterans– to develop a strengths-based plan that focuses on the stabilization of the individual and/or family member. If the caller requires a face-to-face crisis assessment, call specialists warm transfer the caller to the appropriate District Mobile Crisis Response Organization. Calls are free and confidential, and providing personal information is voluntary.
    • 1 (888) 568-1112 (24/7 crisis line, call or text)
  • Opportunity Alliance
    • District Mobile Response Center serving District 2 through the Maine Crisis Line (MCL). Can provide behavioral interventions, including through Mobile Crisis Response Teams. Will meet individuals in crisis at safe location of their choice. Culturally competent and LGBTQ+ affirming. Non-crisis walk-ins 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
    • Crisis Center: 190 Lancaster St., Portland (non-crisis, ste. 310)
    • 1 (888) 568-1112 (24/7 crisis line, call or text)
    • (207) 523-5049 (intake and access)
    • https://www.opportunityalliance.org/

Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault

  • Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence
    • Operates a Statewide Domestic Abuse Helpline that connects people to their local service center. LGBTQ+ friendly. Calls will be answered by an answering service who will coordinate a call back for you. If getting a call back is not possible or not safe for you, that is OK; the answering service will be able to patch you through to an advocate. Will not force any course of action.
    • 1 (866) 834-HELP (24/7)
    • Deaf or Hard of Hearing: 1 (800) 437-1220
    • https://www.mcedv.org/
  • Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine
    • Free and private* services for to anyone affected by sexual assault, sexual harassment, or sexual abuse. 24/7 helpline staffed by trained advocates assist people with advice and support, accompaniment to the hospital or to speak with law enforcement if survivor chooses, and referrals to other services. Serves York and Cumberland Counties.
    • For centers in other parts of Maine visit the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault at mecasa.org
    • 1 (800) 871-7741 (24/7, text 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. M-F)
  • Through These Doors
    • Services for people affected by domestic abuse. 24/7 free and confidential helpline. You do not have to be in crisis or needing shelter to call the helpline. Call with questions or just to talk with someone who will listen to you without judgment and without telling you what to do. Interpreters, ASL, and Language Line available.
    • 1 (800) 537-6066 (2/47)
    • https://www.throughthesedoors.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.

  • Preble Street
    • Teen Center
    • Teen Shelter
    • First Place
      • Open to homeless youth ages 16 to 21 who cannot safely return to their families, First Place offers participants single-occupancy apartments and case management for up to 18 months, after which time the tenant is expected to be prepared to assume responsibility for the lease.
      • 18 Portland Street, Portland
      • 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday
      • (207) 775-0026 ext. 1307
      • https://www.preblestreet.org/what-we-do/housing-services/first-place/
  • Teen Text Support Line
    • Support text line is for youth 14-20 years old and staffed by individuals under 23 years of age. A program of NAMI Maine.
    • 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. daily
    • (207) 515 – 8398

Elders

Coming soon.

Crime

Coming soon.

Substances

Coming soon.

Please consider using these alternatives to calling the Portland 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.

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