Crisis Response Team

Proud recipient of the 1995 Mayor’s Spirit of Portland Award for Outstanding Community Service.

Phone: 503-823-2095

Fax: 503-823-2195

Email: dmonk@portlandpolice.org

CRT Mission

The Mission of the Portland Police Bureau's Crisis Response Team is to intervene in

traumatic situations which impact individuals, families and the community at large.

Helping Our Community in a Time of Crisis

What is the CRT?

The Crisis Response Team (CRT) is a group of screened and trained volunteers who provide support to victims of traumatic events, their families and loved ones following a crisis. Volunteers are called to the scene by authorized law enforcement personnel and/or members of the medical community. There are four CRTs:

• North/Northeast
• Sexual Minorities,
• Hispanic
• Asian Communities

When is the CRT called?

Any bureau member, medical examiner or member of the medical community may request direct assistance from the Crisis Response Team.  The CRT can be utilized not only for crisis intervention purposes following a traumatic incident but also as a preventive measure during special events or holidays (e.g. Asian New Year, Cinco De Mayo), and to dispel rumors and tension surrounding a particular incident.

The CRT can be called to assist in the following traumatic incidents:

• Homicide
• Suicide
• Serious assault
• S.I.D.S. (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
• Accidental death
• Assistance with death notification
• Robbery (business and residential home invasion)

Asian/Pacific Islander/Hispanic CRTs

will also respond to the following:

• Sexual assaults (as an additional resource upon request)
• Domestic violence (if the victim and/or children need shelter placement)
• Search warrants (note: only for translating Miranda rights and immediate processing procedures)

Sexual Minorities CRT will also respond to the following:

• Hate and bias motivated crimes
• Sexual assaults (as an additional resource upon request)

Services provided by the CRT

In many situations, first responders to an emergency do not have the resources to provide needed services to victims. As a result, the victims or survivors may feel confused and isolated. This can increase their trauma in an already horrible situation.  The CRT can help minimize the effects of the trauma by providing services frequently not available through other means.

CRT members have committed themselves to treat all parties with respect for their culture with regard for their physical and emotional health.

The CRT will assist with the following services:

• Provide immediate on-site support to those affected by the incident.
• Assist with coordination of additional support and services as needed.
• Act as a liaison between the Portland Police Bureau, the community at large and family (when needed).
• Notify family, friends, school, work and any other appropriate persons or agencies.
• Accompany injured person(s) to emergency facilities.
• Assist with follow-up referrals to appropriate agencies including victim assistance programs.
• Assist with funeral arrangements and attend related services.
• Follow-up with victim(s) and family.

What the CRT will not do:

• Will not make any recommendations to a particular funeral home or cemetery.
• Will not disclose any personal or confidential information about the incident.
• Will not give legal, medical, psychological or financial advice.
• Will not use personal resources for the families (i.e. housing, food, etc.)

For More Information

CRT Program Coordinator:

Officer Marci Jackson, 503-823-2095

CRT Senior Administrative Support Specialist:

Deborah Monk, 503-823-4293

Additional victim resources:

• Detective Division, 503-823-0400
• Medical Examiner, 503-451-2220
• Multnomah County Victims Assistance, 503-988-3222
• Domestic Violence Reduction Unit, 503-823-0090
• Multnomah County Triage Center, 503-988-4888
• Red Cross, 503-284-1234
• Harry's Mother (youth shelter), 503-233-8111
• Portland Women's Crisis Hotline (Domestic violence referrals), 503-235-5333

CRT History

In 1993, the citizens of inner North and Northeast Portland communities and the Portland Police Bureau formed a partnership to address the high number of deaths due to gang and drug-related violence and other traumatic incidents. In July 1994 the first Crisis Response Team was established, the North/Northeast Crisis Response Team (NECRT). Within the first year of operation the NECRT responded to approximately 28 calls, ranging from homicide, suicide, SIDs, and other traumatic incidents. Because of successful efforts of the NECRT, three other CRTs were established: Asian/Pacific Islander CRT in August 1995, Hispanic CRT in February 1996, and Sexual Minorities CRT in June 1996.

The Portland Police Bureau is one of the first police departments in the nation to form partnerships with its culturally diverse communities to provide support to persons affected by a traumatic incident.

Funding

The Portland Police Bureau has dedicated an officer to serve as Crisis Response Team Program Coordinator and a VOCA grant funds a Senior Administrative Support Specialist position. All other work is performed by trained volunteers.

A trust account has been established to accept donations. Donations can be accepted by mailing a check payable to "PPB CRT Trust Fund", Portland Police Bureau, 449 NE Emerson Street, Portland, OR 97211-3209. Please include your name, address and telephone number so that your gift can be acknowledged. Our Tax ID #93-6002236.

For more information regarding the CRT, please contact the Program Coordinator at 503-823-2095.