The department represents a shift in how the city handles certain 911 calls, moving away from a police-only response model for situations that do not involve violence. Supporters argue the change will connect residents with trained professionals who can provide appropriate care more quickly.

Council President Zeke Cohen, who championed the bill, said testimony from residents and advocates made the need clear. "The testimony made it crystal clear that people calling for help with mental health emergencies are not always getting the right care fast enough," Cohen said in a statement. "That is the promise at the heart of the Department of Neighborhood Safety."

Mayor Brandon Scott praised the council's action and indicated he will sign the bill soon. "I look forward to signing this bill in the near future so that we can continue laying the foundation for this critically important work," Scott said.

The new department is expected to coordinate with existing city agencies and community organizations to dispatch unarmed responders to nonviolent calls. Details on staffing, training, and a launch timeline have not yet been announced.

The $15 million in opioid restitution funds comes from settlements with pharmaceutical companies over their role in the opioid epidemic. Using that money for the new department ties resources from the addiction crisis to a broader effort to improve emergency response.

The lone dissenting vote came from a council member who raised concerns about the department's structure and accountability, though the specifics of that objection were not immediately available.

Baltimore joins a growing number of cities experimenting with alternative crisis response models. The move follows years of community advocacy for reducing police involvement in nonviolent situations and investing in mental health and social services.

The council's vote is a significant step toward implementing a promise made during last year's campaign season, when several members pledged to reform public safety. The department's success will depend on how quickly it can hire and train staff, build trust with residents, and coordinate with the city's 911 system.

Residents have long complained that police responses to mental health calls can escalate situations rather than resolve them. The new department is intended to address those concerns by sending specialists instead of officers when no weapon or threat of violence is reported.

City officials have not yet said when the department will begin operations or how residents can request its services. Further details are expected as the mayor signs the bill and the city begins implementation.