Find alternatives to calling the Salt Lake City 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
- Crossroads Urban Center
- Emergency food pantry and other direct services and assistance for those in crisis or at immediate risk
- 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday – Friday
- 347 S 400 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
- (801) 364-7765
- https://www.crossroadsurbancenter.org/emergency-food-pantry.html
- Homeless Connections Helpline
- Serving people in Salt Lake County, connects callers with emergency shelter and resource referrals.
- (801) 990-9999
- https://homelessutah.org/
- Women in Jeopardy Crisis Shelter
- Safe, confidential, 181-bed licensed shelter with private family or double rooms, providing supportive services including meals, case management, support groups, and access to community resources. Services offered to women with or without dependent children. A program of the Family Justice Center.
- (801) 537-8600 (24/7)
- Toll Free: 1 (855) 992-2752
- https://www.ywcautah.org/what-we-do/safety/
LGBTQ+
- Encircle
- Provides programs, services, and reduced cost therapy to LGBTQ+ individuals, parents, families, and the community. Online and in-person programming for LGBTQ+ youth, age 12-25, and their families.
- Drop-in 2 p.m. – 8 p.m., Monday – Friday
- 331 600 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
- https://encircletogether.org/
- Utah Pride Center
- Provides space, programs, and activities for the LGBTQ+ community. Walk-in programs for youth of all ages and their families.
- 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Monday – Friday
- 1380 S. Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
- (801) 539-8800
- https://utahpridecenter.org/
Mental Health
- Intermountain LDS Hospital Behavioral Health Access Center
- Provides crisis treatment, observation, and fast access to mental health treatment. Patients receive treatment right away from licensed behavioral health professionals, ensuring placement in the appropriate level of care, reducing overall costs, and providing the care they need. Ages 18+
- 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily
- 324 9th AvenueSalt Lake CityUT 84143
- (801) 408-8330
- UNI Crisis Line
- 24-Hour, free, confidential mental health crisis hotline. Clinicians specializing in crisis de-escalation, suicide intervention. The Utah Crisis Line sends out mobile crisis outreach teams (MCOT) in many areas throughout the state, as well as follow-up services. Crisis teams are made up of licensed clinician and peer support person. After 10 p.m., clinician may be accompanied by a police officer, depending on staff availability. Interpreters in more than 150 languages.
- 1 (801) 587-3000
- https://healthcare.utah.edu/uni/programs/crisis-diversion.php
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
- Utah Domestic Violence Coalition
- Connects callers to information, support, and local resources.
- 1 (800) 897-5465 (24-Hour LINKLine)
- https://www.udvc.org/
- Utah’s 24-Hour Sexual Violence Crisis Line
- A safe, confidential service offered to sexual violence survivors anywhere in the state. When you call the 24-hour sexual violence crisis line, you’ll be routed to a local UCASA affiliate organization in your area based on the first six digits of your phone number. Callers can be connected to a range of free services.
- 1 (888) 421-1100 (24/7)
- https://www.ucasa.org/
- Rape Recovery Center
- Services for those victimized through sexual violence. Certified Crisis Counselors staff hotline 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to provide anonymous crisis intervention, information, and support. Mobile hospital response services will come to you at Salt Lake hospitals and outpatient clinics, 24/7. English and Spanish.
- (801) 467-7273 (24/7)
- https://www.raperecoverycenter.org/
- Salt Lake Area Family Justice Center at the YWCA
- Free, confidential for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, and stalking. Offering crisis intervention, protective orders, victim’s legal assistance, safety planning, sexual assault nurse exams, short-term counseling, housing support, refugee advocacy services, immigration assistance, economic empowerment, case management, and more. Can connect callers with emergency housing.
- Walk-in Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- 310 East 300 South, Salt Lake City, UT
- (801) 263-3370 (general)
- (801) 537-8600 or 1 (855) 992-2752 (24/7)
- South Valley Services
- Provides safe shelter and supportive services to men, women and children who have been forced to leave their homes due to family violence.
- (801) 255-1095 (24/7)
- TTY/Text Helpline: (385) 266-6208
- https://svsutah.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.
- SafeUT
- The SafeUT Crisis Chat and Tip Line is a statewide service that provides real-time crisis intervention to youth through live chat and a confidential tip program. Can provide mobile crisis intervention, safety planning, and resource referral. Offering help with emotional crises, bullying, relationship problems, mental health, or suicide-related issues. Hotline is free and confidential.
- (833) 372-3388 (24/7)
- Download the app here
- Volunteers of America Youth Resource Center
- A drop in resource center and emergency shelter for all youth aged 15-22 at-risk or experiencing homelessness. Essential basic need items, 3 hot meals a day, pantry food, showers, laundry, life-skills groups, housing and employment case management, dental and medical care assistance, with access to mental health and legal services on-site. From 7:30 pm – 8:30 am the Youth Resource Center transitions into a 30 bed emergency shelter. Drop-in based services.
- Intake hours: 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- 888 S 400 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
- (801) 364-0744
- https://www.voaut.org/yrc
Elders
- Salt Lake Area Family Justice Center at the YWCA
- Free, confidential walk-in services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, and stalking. Offering crisis intervention, protective orders, victim’s legal assistance, safety planning, sexual assault nurse exams, short-term counseling, housing support, refugee advocacy services, immigration assistance, economic empowerment, case management, and more.
- Walk-in Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- 310 East 300 South, Salt Lake City, UT
- (801) 263-3370 (general)
- (801) 537-8600 or 1 (855) 992-2752 (24/7)
- https://slcfamilyjusticecenter.org/
- Utah Aging and Adult Services – Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Service providing information on rights of people in long-term care.
- (385) 468-3255 (Salt Lake County)
- (801) 538-3924 (Statewide)
- https://daas.utah.gov/
Crime
- Utah Legal Services
- Provides free legal help in non-criminal cases to low-income Utahns. Services include representation of victims of domestic and relationship violence, and to assist with public benefits.
- (801) 328-8891 (Salt Lake)
- (801) 394-9431 (Ogden)
- https://www.utahlegalservices.org/
Substances
- Volunteers of America – Utah
- Operates 24/7 detox centers for men and women. A place to go through detox/withdrawal safely, in a social model detox (non-medical.) Staff can can set up meetings with Assessment & Referral Services to get a referral into treatment, however clients are not required to take this step, and may use the space to rest and shower as they detox. If a client reports a desire to harm themselves and/or others staff will have to ensure safety of clients by following guidelines of trauma-informed care and de-escalation training. If this doesn’t help remedy the situation staff will call community partners for crisis management, non-emergency medical dispatch, or crisis intervention officers as a last resort.
- Men’s facility
- 252 West Brooklyn Avenue, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
- (801) 363-9400, ext. 0
- https://www.voaut.org/mens-detoxification-center
- Women’s facility
- 697 West 4170 South, Murray, UT 84123
- (801) 261-9177, ext. 0
- https://www.voaut.org/cwc
Please consider using these alternatives to calling the Salt Lake City 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.