Find alternatives to calling the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department or the local 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
- Homeless Outreach Services Team
- 24/7 hotline for people experiencing homelessness in Sonoma County.
- 1 (855) 707-4678
- Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) Youth Services Hotline
- Offers emergency shelter and other supportive services to youth up to age 24. SAY Center provides housing and counseling for ages 18-24. Dr. Coffee Teen Center provides short-term and emergency shelter, food, counseling, and referrals for youth and their families. Services are available in English and Spanish. 24-Hour hotline or walk-in services.
- 1243 Ripley Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
- 1 (888) 729-0012
- https://www.saysc.org/
LGBTQ+
- LGBTQ+ Connection
- A hub of LGBTQ information and a thriving center of the community, LGBTQ Connection increases awareness, visibility & wellness. Youth-driven program, can connect callers with counseling, community, and information.
- (707) 595-8961
- https://www.lgbtqconnection.org/
Mental Health
- NAMI Warmline
- Non-crisis warmline providing information and support for people concerned about mental health.
- 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday
- (866) 960-6264
- https://namisonomacounty.org/nami-warmline/
- North Bay Suicide Prevention Hotline
- 24/7 suicide and mental health crisis hotline. County funded but run through outside providers.
- (855) 587-6373 (24/7)
- SoCo Behavioral Health Access Line
- Mental health hotline. Determines the level of need for mental health services, provide assessment, linkage, and information and referral for mental health services for children, youth, and adults. Referrals are made to community providers or to Behavioral Health treatment teams. County program.
- (707) 565-6900
- https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Health/Behavioral-Health/Accessing-Mental-Health-Services/
- Sonoma County Crisis Services Line
- Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) provides 24 hour-a-day, 7 day-a-week crisis intervention, assessment, medication, and up to 23 hours of supportive care for individuals in an acute mental health crisis. Services are available for children, youth, adults, and their families. Referrals are made to Crisis Residential Services or inpatient mental health facilities for those needing a higher level of psychiatric inpatient care. County service.
- (707) 576-8181 (24/7)
- https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Health/Behavioral-Health/Crisis-Services/
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
- Verity
- Rape crisis intervention line is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year. Confidential counseling, emergency assistance, information, and referrals. Crisis intervention is provided to anyone affected by sexual assault: survivors, their family, and friends. Will support any survivor’s decision as to whether to report to law enforcement.
- (707) 545-7273 (24/7)
- https://www.ourverity.org/
- YWCA Sonoma County
- Supports families affected by domestic violence by providing safe shelter, therapy, advocacy, and on-going support. 24/7 domestic violence crisis hotline.
- (707) 546-1234 (24/7)
- https://www.ywcasc.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.
- Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) Youth Services Hotline
- Offers emergency shelter and other supportive services to youth up to age 24. SAY Center provides housing and counseling for ages 18-24. Dr. Coffee Teen Center provides short-term and emergency shelter, food, counseling, and referrals for youth and their families. Services are available in English and Spanish. 24-Hour hotline or walk-in services.
- 1243 Ripley Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
- 1 (888) 729-0012
- https://www.saysc.org/
Elders
Coming soon.
Crime
Coming soon.
Substances
Coming soon.
Please consider using these alternatives to calling the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department, the local police, 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.