Find alternatives to calling the Sacramento 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
- 211 Sacramento
- 211 Sacramento is the area’s primary information and referral source for all types of services. 211 provides free, confidential information and referral services 24-hous a day, seven days a week. Referrals can be made to more than 1,600 community services in the Sacramento area, including emergency housing and food services.
- 211 or 1 (800) 500-4931 or (916) 498-1000
- Hearing impaired: 711
- http://www.211sacramento.org/211/
- Sacramento Self-Help Housing
- Assists persons who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless to find and retain stable and affordable housing.
- (916) 341-0593
- https://www.sacselfhelp.org/find-housing.html
LGBTQ+
- A Community For Peace – TAPESTRY services
- ACFP’s TAPESTRY program provides emergency housing, legal advocacy, counseling and other services through an all-LGBQ and Transgender staff that reflects the community it seeks to serve.
- Crisis Line: (916) 728-7210
- General: (916) 728-5613
- https://acommunityforpeace.org/tapestryservices
- Sacramento LGBT Center
- Provides drop-in mental health, sexual health, and housing assistance; assistance to victims of crime, including respite, deescalation, counseling, free legal services, emergency housing, crisis intervention, and employment assistance.
- Drop-in respite, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- (916) 442-0185 ext. 126 (Crime Victim Services)
- (916) 442-0185 ext. 100 (Mental Health)
- (916) 442-0185 (General)
- https://saccenter.org/
Mental Health
- 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/
- HOPE Cooperative Mental Health Crisis Center
- Staffed 24/7 and serves any individual in Sacramento County who is at least 18 years of age experiencing a mental health crisis but is not in immediate danger to self or others. Transportation assistance available.
- (916) RESPITE (737-7483)
- https://hopecoop.org/services/
- La Familia Counseling Center – Maple Neighborhood Center
- Offering multi-lingual mental health crisis support
- 916-210-8773
- Emergency After Hours Number: 916-227-2600
- https://lafcc.org/community-partnerships/
- MH First
- Volunteer-based mental health emergency response team for people experiencing a mental health crisis. Can also be found on social media @mhfirstsac
- 7 p.m. – 7 a.m., Fri., Sat. & Sun.
- (916) 670-4062
- WellSpace Health
- 24-Hour suicide prevention crisis line
- (916) 368-3111 or (800) 273-TALK (8255)
- https://www.wellspacehealth.org/
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
- A Community For Peace
- Serving children and adult survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault throughout Sacramento and the surrounding areas
- Crisis Line: (916) 728-7210
- General: (916) 728-5613
- https://acommunityforpeace.org/
- Deaf[SAFE]
- Serving individuals who experience domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence and stalking who are deaf or hard of hearing, and intimate partners and family members close to survivors who are also emotionally affected.
- (916) 349-7500 | (916) 993-3048 VP | (916) 550-9355 P3
- https://www.norcalcenter.org/deafsafe/
- My Sister’s House
- Serving Asian and Pacific Islander and other underserved women and children impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking by providing a culturally appropriate and responsive safe haven, job training, and community services.
- (916)428-3271 (24-Hour multilingual helpline)
- http://www.my-sisters-house.org/
- WEAVE, Inc.
- WEAVE’s mission is to promote safe and healthy relationships and support survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and sex trafficking.
- (916) 920-2952 (24/7 Crisis Support Line)
- https://www.weaveinc.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.
- A Community For Peace – Ruthie’s Place
- Youth drop-in center; this is the beginning of a targeted harm reduction project targeting at-risk from marginalized populations, foster care youth, LGBTQ+ youth, youth experiencing domestic violence, and those youth currently being exploited and trafficked throughout Sacramento County.
- Crisis Line: (916) 728-7210
- General: (916) 917-5450
- https://acommunityforpeace.org/sacredspaceyouthservices
- AMALA Muslim Youth Hopeline
- Warmline for Muslim youth experiencing mental health and other challenges
- 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., 7 days a week
- (855) 95-AMALA
- Text available at the same number Wednesdays and Sundays
- http://amala.mas-ssf.org/
- California Coalition for Youth
- The California Youth Crisis Line (CYCL) operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week as the statewide emergency response system for youth (ages 12-24) and families in crisis. Professionally trained staff and volunteer counselors respond to 20,000 calls annually with crisis intervention counseling and resource referrals to service providers in the caller’s local community.
- 1 (800) 843-5200
- http://calyouth.org/cycl/
- New Morning Youth and Family Services
- New Morning’s Youth Shelter offers temporary housing, hot meals, clothing, and individual and family counseling services for kids ages 6 – 17. Youth Behavioral Specialists are available to help 24-hours a day. Youth can admit themselves or be referred. Drug-free environment.
- (530) 626-4190
- https://www.newmorningyfs.org/24-hour-shelter
- Sacramento LGBT Center – Q Spot
- Daily walk-in center for LGBTQ+ youth to receive crisis intervention services, peer counseling, and support, also offering emergency shelter, case management and other services for homeless youth. Serving youth ages 13-24. All services are free.
- 1015 20th St, Sacramento, CA 95811
- 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., 7 days a week
- (916) 442-0185 ext. 107
- https://saccenter.org/youth
Elders
Coming soon.
Crime
Coming soon.
Substances
- American River Area Narcotics Anonymous
- 24-hour helpline designed to help any addict, any time, day or night that is seeking help.
- (800) 600-HOPE (4673) or (866) 565-2135
- http://sacramentona.org/
Please consider using these alternatives to calling the Sacramento 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.