The New Front Line: Coon Rapids Police Department Embeds Social Workers to Address Crisis, Not Crime

COON RAPIDS, Minn. — In a quiet but significant shift toward reimagining public safety, the Coon Rapids Police Department has embedded licensed social workers within its ranks, transforming how the city responds to crises involving mental health, addiction, and poverty.

At the forefront of this initiative is Lori Halbur, a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW), who serves as a critical liaison between law enforcement and some of the community’s most vulnerable residents. Wearing civilian attire rather than a uniform, Halbur co-responds with officers to welfare checks, homelessness calls, substance-use concerns, and trauma incidents, offering pathways to social services instead of defaulting to the criminal justice system.

From Pilot Program to Full-Time Support

The embedded social-worker program began as a two-year pilot in 2020, addressing the rising volume of non-criminal, mental health-related 911 calls. Recognizing its success, the department transitioned Halbur’s role to full-time in 2022 and expanded the team in 2025 by adding a second, grant-funded social worker, Jess Hoppe, a licensed addiction counselor. An additional mental-health intern joined later in the year to provide further support.

The program’s impact has been immediate and measurable. The department reports a notable decline in repeat calls for service — the first such reduction in many years — and nearly 2,000 referrals were managed during the pilot phase, equating to more than five cases handled per day. By the end of 2022, mental-health–related police calls were on track to decrease by over 30% compared with the previous year.

“This program is an investment in community well-being,” Halbur said. “By prioritizing this role within the police department, the city is showing how committed it is to creative solutions for a safe and healthy community.”

Monthly Drop-In Sessions: Access Without Barriers

To make support accessible to all, the department hosts a “Meet the Social Worker” drop-in session on the first Thursday of every month. The next session is Thursday, December 4, 2025, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Anoka County Library, Crooked Lake Branch, 11440 Crooked Lake Blvd. No appointment is required, and all residents are welcome.

These sessions provide free, confidential guidance for a broad range of challenges, including:

• Mental health and substance use support
• Homelessness or housing insecurity
• Food and financial insecurity
• Job placement assistance
• Parenting and child-related concerns
• Support for older adults and aging

By hosting the sessions in a neutral, public space rather than a police station, the department removes barriers that often prevent people from seeking help until a crisis escalates.

A Model for the Region

Coon Rapids’ initiative is part of a broader national trend toward the co-responder model, where mental-health professionals partner with law enforcement to de-escalate situations and connect residents with social services. Nearby communities, including Brooklyn Park and Columbia Heights, have demonstrated significant reductions in emergency calls and force usage through similar programs.

Research supports the approach: recent studies of embedded social-worker programs show reductions in arrests and hospital transports for mental-health incidents, highlighting the benefits of early intervention and ongoing support.

By institutionalizing social work within policing — through on-scene co-response and monthly community sessions — Coon Rapids is addressing the root causes of crisis, reducing reliance on force or incarceration, and strengthening trust between residents and public institutions.

“The goal is to provide help before a situation becomes a 911 call,” said a department spokesperson. “We want residents to know they have a trusted partner in the police department who can connect them to the resources they need.”

For more information, visit the City of Coon Rapids official page.

MinneapoliMedia