RADNOR — Radnor police hope a new program can help get additional resources to those in need.
In October, Radnor police and township officials launched a new program to bring in a licensed clinical social worker to help with mental health emergencies.
The program, Community Support Unit, also has additional police officers to respond to specific incidents involving mental health emergencies. Those officers will also be available for follow-up and respond to calls in high-density areas to supplement the patrol division.
Radnor police Superintendent Chris Flanagan said the new program is designed to help build a safer community for all its residents.
“We know that building a safer Radnor Township means approaching mental health, trauma and crime from every possible angle,” Flanagan said. “The CSU combines the necessary skills of police with the specialized training of a civilian social worker to address the root causes of mental health challenges, addiction issues and crime compassionately and safely. This is supported by data and by what law enforcement officers on the ground are telling us about the incidents they’re addressing.”
Flanagan said the unit is a co-responder unit aimed to improve service to the community and go behind the initial call for service.
“By collaborating with township stakeholders, including business owners, local schools, and houses of worship, we can navigate challenges facing the community through non-traditional means,” Flanagan said. “Establishing meaningful relationships can very well reduce, if not prevent, crime from occurring.”
Sgt. Daniel V. Lunger, a second-generation Radnor officer and a 17-year veteran of the department, will oversee the four officers.
The officers have received training in critical incident stress management, crisis intervention training, and de-escalation techniques, among other specific training. Police social worker Isabel Cook is the newest civilian member of the unit.
“In terms of mental health services, one of the CSU’s goals is to have our social worker, Isabel Cook, attend calls alongside a police officer with the hopes that Isabel will provide more options for police officers and for someone who may be dealing with mental health issues,” Lunger said.
Having a social worker in-house provides the department with access to that social worker’s expertise not only to deal with community members in crisis but also to help improve the mental well-being of police officers.
“As Isabel gains the trust of sworn officers when responding to calls for service in the community, it is our hope those same officers will turn to Isabel for assistance with their own emotional well-being, as well as other non-work-related problems,” said Moira Mulroney, vice president of the board of commissioners.
Also included in the unit are two high-density beat officers responsible for increasing visibility and improving response times throughout the township by providing additional, dedicated daytime coverage to the Route 30 corridor, an area that has been shown to produce higher incident rates throughout the day.
The township’s 2024 budget includes $1 million per year to fund the Community Support Unit.
“This is the first time in a number of years that we have seen an expansion in service offerings with a team of four police officers, a sergeant and a social worker,” said William M. White, township manager. “The Community Support Unit will be funded through a combination of new real estate taxes approved by the board of commissioners, along with business tax proceeds, interest revenue and departmental revenue.”
The unit has hit the ground running with over 100 calls since it launched in October. So far, the calls are mainly relating to juvenile issues, domestic violence and substance abuse.
“This is one of those changes in policing we will continue to see grow because of the national attention around police response to mental crisis calls,” Flanagan said. “This adaptive unit is now able to meet those challenges head-on at the immediate time there is an emergency. For us here at Radnor Township Police Department, it’s an honor to offer this level of personalized service to our community.”
