Melanie Armstrong Senior Counsel to the Attorney General | New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety
Melanie Armstrong Senior Counsel to the Attorney General | New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has announced that Jersey City will join the ARRIVE Together program, an initiative aimed at improving responses to mental health emergencies. This makes Jersey City the second municipality in Hudson County, alongside Bayonne, to participate in the program. The partnership involves the Jersey City Division of Police and Jersey City Medical Center.
Governor Phil Murphy commented on the expansion: "Since its inception, ARRIVE Together has enhanced New Jersey law enforcement officers’ response to mental health emergencies... Now operating in Jersey City – our state’s second largest city – this program will continue to make a difference for those in need and save lives."
Attorney General Platkin emphasized the importance of the program: “ARRIVE Together is a national model with a proven track record of improving outcomes for individuals who encounter law enforcement while in need of mental health services.”
The ARRIVE Together program began as a pilot with a plainclothes trooper from the New Jersey State Police paired with a mental health screener from Cumberland County Guidance Center. It has expanded across all 21 counties in New Jersey, serving over half of the state's population. The Fiscal Year 2025 budget includes $20.1 million for maintaining and expanding these programs.
Tiffany Wilson, Director of the Office of Alternative and Community Responses, highlighted how partnerships improve outcomes: “Pairing law enforcement officers with mental and behavioral health professionals allows each expert to do what they do best.”
Jersey City's approach will involve co-response teams comprising plain-clothed police officers and mental health professionals from Jersey City Medical Center. Initially operating two to three days per week, it aims to expand as staffing increases.
Frank Ghinassi from RWJBarnabas Health expressed pride in their role: “RWJBarnabas Health is proud to once again be a part of this collaborative effort... facilitating safer and more compassionate care.”
Mayor Steven Fulop acknowledged ongoing efforts to enhance public safety: “We are pleased to partner with the AG’s Office... Our strategic public safety initiatives are clearly making a difference.”
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez reiterated support for collaborative efforts: “The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office has always supported collaborative initiatives that promote public safety and connect those in crisis with lifesaving resources.”
Additionally, Attorney General Platkin announced funding for Jersey City's Community Crisis Response Team Pilot Program through the Anti-Violence Coalition of Hudson County.
ARRIVE Together complements existing mental health services available statewide. Residents experiencing crises can access support via the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
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