Find alternatives to calling the Seattle 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
- Noel House Women’s Referral Center
- Connects women experiencing homelessness with emergency and long-term shelter options. Women’s Referral Center refers women for placement in 15 shelters citywide nightly. Review qualifications of each shelter to determine best placement for caller. Not a good number to access DV-specific shelter.
- For shelter placement, call from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. daily
- 2030 3rd Ave. Seattle, WA 98101
- (206) 437-7448 or (206) 436-8669
- https://ccsww.org/get-help/shelter-homeless-services/noel-house-programs/
- Youth Haven Emergency Shelter
- Youth Haven serves as short term emergency placement for homeless youth age 7-17. 24-hour hotline connects youth with trained staff who determine whether the caller is eligible for placement and make referrals, when appropriate, to other programs. Youth can access shelter at any time, and staff can come to youth’s’ location if needed. Also offers social and educational activities for youth in care. No outside referral required.
- (206) 236-KIDS (24/7)
- https://friendsofyouth.org/shelters.aspx
LGBTQ+
Coming soon.
Mental Health
- Crisis Connections – King County Crisis Hotline
- Provides immediate help to individuals, families, and friends of people in emotional crisis. Hotline for anyone in King County concerned about the mental health of themself or another. Links Seattle-King County residents to emergency mental health services. Can provide local referrals, assessment and advice regarding next steps. Can refer to Crisis Support for evaluation for involuntary detention or hospitalization if needed. Does not provide mobile intervention but can refer to outside mobile provider – that provider’s response may include law enforcement.
- King County: (206) 461-3222 (24/7)
- Statewide: 711 or 1 (866) 4-CRISIS (24/7)
- https://www.crisisconnections.org/24-hour-crisis-line/
- I’m Hurting Crisis Chat
- Helps people by providing online emotional support during times of crisis. Everyone is welcome to talk about what’s causing them to feel pain. Crisis Counselors will listen to callers without judgment and help them feel cared about and safe. Based in Everett, WA
- 3 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
- (800) 273-TALK (8255)
- https://www.imhurting.org/
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
- DAWN (Domestic Abuse Women’s Network)
- 24-hour Advocacy and Support Line for resource connection. Emergency, confidential location shelter for families at risk of danger (capacity limited). Mobile advocacy – can meet callers in safe location to assist with safety planning, shelter placement, and ongoing service access.
- (425) 656-7867 (24/7)
- https://www.dawnrising.org/
- King County Sexual Assault Resource Center
- Provides crisis intervention, information and referrals, and on-going support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- 1 (888) 998-6423 (24/7)
- https://www.kcsarc.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.
- YouthCare
- Provides supportive services to homeless and at-risk youth, including shelter, outreach, early intervention, education and employment assistance. Two drop-in locations for youth age 12-24, the Orion drop-in center and the University District Youth Center. Overnight shelter for youth ages 16-24 at the South Seattle Shelter.
- Orion Center: 1828 Yale Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
- 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. and mealtimes M, W, Th, F; 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday
- Orion: (206) 622-5555
- University District Youth Center: 4516 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105
- 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. M, W, Th, F, Su.; 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. Tues.
- Univ. Dist. Youth Center: (206) 639-3410;
- South Seattle Shelter: 3722 S Hudson St, Seattle, WA 98118
- 8 p.m. – 8:30 a.m. nightly
- South Side Shelter: (206) 465-7436
- 1 (800) 495-7802 (24/7)
- Youth Haven Emergency Shelter
- Youth Haven serves as short term emergency placement for homeless youth age 7-17. 24-hour hotline connects youth with trained staff who determine whether the caller is eligible for placement and make referrals, when appropriate, to other programs. Youth can access shelter at any time, and staff can come to youth’s’ location if needed. Also offers social and educational activities for youth in care. No outside referral required.
- (206) 236-KIDS (24/7)
- https://friendsofyouth.org/shelters.aspx
Elders
Coming soon.
Crime
- Victim Support Services
- Victim Support Services is a non-profit agency serving Snohomish, King, Island, Skagit, and Whatcom counties. Call the 24-Hour Crisis Hotline to speak with a trained advocate who can provide assistance with needs resulting from victimization.
- 1 (888) 288-9221
Substances
Coming soon.
Please consider using these alternatives to calling the Seattle 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.