Cranbury Township has joined the Alternative Responses to Reduce Instances of Violence and Escalation (ARRIVE) Together program.
Launched as a pilot in 2021, the ARRIVE program pairs a New Jersey State Trooper, trained in crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques, with a certified mental health screener and crisis specialist to respond to 911 calls related to mental and behavioral health emergencies. Since its initial success, the program has expanded statewide, with operations in all 21 of New Jersey’s counties, according to the Cranbury Township Police Department.
This expansion makes New Jersey the first state in the U.S. to implement a comprehensive, statewide law enforcement and mental health alternative response initiative.
ARRIVE models are tailored to meet the specific needs, resources, and priorities of each participating community. In Cranbury’s model, a specially trained Cranbury police officer partners with a Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care mental health screener to respond to calls one day a month.
Outside of active calls, the team provides follow-up support, conducts community outreach, and connects individuals with valuable resources and services. Cranbury collaborates with East Brunswick, South Brunswick, South River, and Plainsboro to provide expanded response coverage five days a week.
According to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, ARRIVE meets several critical objectives: First, it allows mental health specialists, rather than officers alone, to address behavioral health issues, creating safer outcomes for vulnerable residents. Second, it improves access to mental health resources, with screeners available on scene early in the response process, expediting appropriate care and preventing escalation. Third, ARRIVE reduces unnecessary hospital transports, allowing more individuals to remain in the community. Finally, the program strengthens trust between law enforcement and residents, promotes the well-being of those experiencing mental health emergencies, and reduces stigma by connecting individuals to care instead of the criminal justice system.
To learn more about the ARRIVE Together program and other models active throughout the state, visit https://www.njoag.gov/programs/arrive-together/.
