Find alternatives to calling the Portland Police Bureau.
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
- Bradley Angle
- Bradley Angle works with a local network of domestic violence providers to help survivors fleeing domestic violence. Provides emergency housing and other services. Focused on serving Black and LGBTQ+ communities.
- (503) 235-5333 (24-Hour Crisis Line through Call to Safety)
- https://bradleyangle.org/
- Impact NW
- Impact NW provides a safety net for families in crisis, with services that connect them to housing and energy assistance while supporting them as they move toward independence. Will assist or refer callers.
- (503) 721-1740
- https://impactnw.org/
- Native American Youth and Family Center
- Programming such as emergency energy assistance, clothing closet, food pantry, homeless services and domestic violence interventions – responding to the real life emergencies that impact Native families and individuals.
- (503) 288-8177
- https://nayapdx.org/
- Raphael House
- Emergency shelter for families fleeing domestic violence. 24-hour hotline available (with language line support) – Russian, Spanish, English. Safety planning, advocacy, and other services. Pet friendly, confidential. Serves anyone impacted by domestic violence regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, disability, immigration status, primary language, or sexuality.
- (503) 222-6222
- https://raphaelhouse.com/
- West Women and Children’s Center*
- Salvation Army emergency shelter for women and children seeking assistance. Also provides hygiene and school essentials. Open 24/7/365.
- (503) 731-3900
- https://westwomens.salvationarmy.org/
- *Please note this resource is Christian-affiliated
LGBTQ+
- Bradley Angle
- Bradley Angle works with a local network of domestic violence providers to help survivors fleeing domestic violence. Provides emergency housing and other services. Focused on serving Black and LGBTQ+ communities.
- (503) 235-5333 (24-Hour Crisis Line through Call to Safety)
- (503) 232-1528 (Office)
- https://bradleyangle.org/
- FORGE
- Information, resources and referrals for trans+ survivors of domestic, sexual, or hate violence or stalking
- (414) 559-2123
- https://forge-forward.org/
Mental Health
- Project Respond
- 24-Hour mental health crisis hotline and mobile mental health crisis response team that provides an array of crisis, specialized, and culturally aware services.
- Mental health crisis teams may be accompanied by police. They will generally leave if site is deemed safe for mental health team.
- (503) 988-4888
- https://cascadiabhc.org/services/crisis-intervention/#_ProjectRespond
- Portland Suicide Lifeline
- 24-Hour Hotline. City program operated by Lines for Life.
- (503) 972-3456
- https://www.linesforlife.org/
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
- Call to Safety (formerly the Portland Women’s Crisis Line)
- Provides a comprehensive 24/7 crisis line, follow-up advocacy for survivors, support groups, community outreach and education, and sexual assault medical advocacy.
- (503) 235-5333 or 1 (888) 235-5333 (24/7 Crisis Line)
- Language bank allows translation into any language, and connect callers to local culturally-specific resources
- https://calltosafety.org/
- Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon – Russian Oregon Social Services
- Provides culturally specific domestic violence and sexual assault (DVSA) services to the Russian-speaking population in Oregon and southwest Washington. 24-Hour hotline and crisis intervention. All services are free and confidential.
- (503) 777-3437 (General)
- (503) 381-7757 (24/7 Crisis Hotline)
- https://emoregon.org/ross/ross-dv/
- Linea Unica
- 24-hour Spanish language sexual assault helpline, also offering support groups, medical advocacy
- (503) 232-4448
- Native American Youth and Family Center
- Programming such as emergency energy assistance, clothing closet, food pantry, homeless services and domestic violence interventions – responding to the real life emergencies that impact Native families and individuals.
- (503) 318-5213
- https://nayapdx.org/
- Raphael House
- Emergency shelter for families fleeing domestic violence. 24-hour hotline available (with language line support) – Russian, Spanish, English. Safety planning, advocacy, and other services. Pet friendly, confidential.
- (503) 222-6222
- https://raphaelhouse.com/
- SAVE Fund (Sexual Assault Victims Emergency Medical Response)
- Sexual Assault Resource Center
- SARC’s 24-hour anonymous, confidential, free support line offers a safe place for survivors and their loved ones to get immediate support. Confidential and free.
- (503) 640-5311 or 1 (888) 640-5311
- http://www.sarcoregon.org/
- Volunteers of America – Home Free
- Crisis and supportive services to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Long-term, post-crisis support designed to prevent victims from having to return to an abusive home. Mobile, active advocacy that reduces the barriers to domestic violence support services. All services are free, flexible, and individualized, and driven by survivors’ needs and goals. Calls after hours will be returned within one business day.
- DV and Sexual Assault Hotline: (503) 771-5503 from 8AM-5PM Monday – Friday
- Restraining order hotline: (503) 802-0506 from 8AM-4PM Monday-Friday
- https://www.voaor.org/find-services/adults-children-and-families/home-free/
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.
- Child Abuse Hotline*
- Oregon Dept. of Human Services hotline for reports of child abuse or neglect. 24/7 assistance available.
- (503) 731-3100 or 1 (800) 509-5439
- Statewide: 1 (855) 503-SAFE (7233)
- https://ccrr-mc.org/report-child-abuse/
- *Please note this is a State service and may work with law enforcement
- Oregon Youthline
- YouthLine is a free, confidential teen-to-teen crisis and help line. Reach a teen to talk between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily – adults available by by phone 24/7.
- (877) 968-8491
- Text “teen2teen” to 839863
- https://oregonyouthline.org/
Elders
- Aging and Disability Services
- 24-hour information and assistance to seniors, people with disabilities, and caregivers by assessing their needs, identifying services to meet those needs and linking them with providers of those services.
- (503) 988-3646 (24/7)
- (503) 988-4450 (General)
Crime
- Confederated Tribes of Warm Spring – Victims of Crime Services
- 24-hour response to victims in emergency crisis of: domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, teen dating, elder abuse, child abuse and family violence. Services for victims include emergency shelter, hospital visits, referrals to other service providers, transportation, assistance obtaining a restraining order, and courtroom advocacy.
- (541) 553-2293 (may need to leave a message) or use contact form on website
- https://warmsprings-nsn.gov/program/warm-springs-victims-of-crime-services/
- Oregon Crime Victims Law Center
- OCVLC provides free legal representation to crime victims to help them assert their rights within a criminal case as well as civil assistance regarding housing, employment, and education issues that arise as a result of the crime. Service to all Oregon counties. Services provided regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, religion, class, ethnicity, age, income, or immigration status.
- 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday
- (503) 208-8160
- https://www.ocvlc.org/
- Victim Rights Law Center
- Free legal services to survivors of sexual violence
- http://www.victimrights.org/
Substances
- Portland Alcohol and Drug Helpline
- 24-hour helpline for people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction or abuse
- (503) 244-1312
Please consider using these alternatives to calling the Portland Police Bureau 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.