Who is the Community Response Team?

You may not have heard of them, but if you or a loved one experiences a mental health crisis, they’ll be there: the Community Response Team.

Also known as CRT, the team is made up of a Colorado Springs Police Officer, a Colorado Springs Medic, and an Aspen Pointe Counselor.

This is the team that helped respond to the woman running in and out of traffic on I-25 in early May.

“We are able to respond to talk with the person and see what kind of help they need so police and fire can be cleared to respond to other calls,” Officer Rebecca Arndt explained.

The team let KRDO ride along with them for a day to see exactly how they help our community.

In just 3.5 hours, CRT and KRDO responded to three very different calls: a woman walking dangerously close to traffic on Highway 115, a man high on drugs hallucinating at a police station, and a possible suicidal elementary school student.

In each case, Officer Arndt kept the team and scene safe. Medic Rafael Gomez took the patient’s vitals and was there to provide any other medical care. Aspen Pointe Counselor Lori Montano calmed the patients down and talked with them to find out what kind of help they needed.

“We take our time with each call so we can really let the person know they’re being heard and helped,” Officer Arndt said.

It’s a difficult and thankless job full of challenges, but these three love helping the community.

“If you see us out, say hi. We’re friendly,” Gomez said. “We’re not here to get anyone in trouble, we’re just here to help.”

There are currently two CRTs in Colorado Springs and they hope to add a third time in the next few months.