Before You Call the Police
When we witness a crisis, it is natural to immediately call 911—but as too many videos and stories have proven, police presence can lead to poor treatment, physical assault, and death, especially for BIPOC individuals and those with mental illnesses. As such, calling the police should be an absolute last resort. This non-exhaustive list provides non-police resources in the Somerville area. If you know other resources to recommend, please reach out to us, and we will add them.
If you must call the police, be sure to stay with the person in distress the entire time they are there, get the officer’s license plate and badge numbers, and be prepared to begin filming if you are at all concerned about how the person is being treated.
Remember: Black Lives Matter.
Non-Police Department Resources for Somerville
For Homelessness
Greater Somerville Homeless Coalition:
617-776-6661 (for families); 617-623-2546 (for individuals)
Bridge over Troubled Waters (Youth-Centered):
617-423-9575
CASPAR Emergency Services Center & Shelters:
617-661-9770
CASPAR First-Step Street Outreach:
617-592-6895
The United Way’s First Call for Help (provides information in Spanish/English):
211; 877-211-6277
Youth on Fire (14-24 Years Old):
617-661-2508
For Mental Health Emergencies
Psychiatric Emergency Services, Cambridge Health Alliance:
617-665-1560
Boston Emergency Services Team (BEST):
800-981-4357
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):
877-382-1609, followed by ZIP code
For Drug and Alcohol Usage
CASPAR First-Step Street Outreach:
617-592-6895
SAMHSA National Helpline:
1-800-662-4357
Also note that all municipal buildings (City Hall, Department of Public Works, Traffic and Parking, all Parks and Recreation facilities, public libraries, and schools) now carry Narcan (an opioid overdose antidote) in their emergency medical kits. In the event of an opioid overdose, please check the nearest municipal building for emergency assistance. Alternatively, carry Narcan on your own person and learn to administer it—it can mean the difference between life and death.
For Sexual Assault and Domestic Abuse Victims
Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC):
800-841-8371
The Network/La Red (LGBTQIA+-centric):
617-423-7233; 1-800-832-1901
Casa Myrna via SafeLink MA:
1-877-785-2020; 1-877-521-2601
Respond, Inc. (open 9:00 AM-5:00 PM M-F)
800-439-2370
Saheli Boston (for South Asian survivors and families):
1-866-472-4354
For LGBTQIA+ Crises
The Network/La Red:
617-423-7233; 1-800-832-1901
The Trevor Project:
1-866-488-7386
Bridge over Troubled Waters (Youth-Centered):
617-423-9575