Together in Public Spaces: Safety, Respect, and Support

If you see someone who may be experiencing a medical emergency:

Call 911 right away. Be prepared to describe the person’s condition and location. A response team may include EMS, Somerville Police, Fire, ambulance – as well as other City resources.

If someone is acting aggressively or experiencing a mental health crisis:

Call 911 and let the call taker know the person may be in crisis or experiencing a mental health episode. Public safety and care professionals will be dispatched to assist. Additional follow up services may be offered as Somerville’s approach prioritizes care and connection to services, not punishment.

If you find used or unused needles:

DO NOT handle them yourself. Call 311 to request safe removal by trained staff. 

If you find drugs or drug paraphernalia:

If you find material you believe could be drugs, do not handle or touch those materials yourself. Call 911 if you believe there is an immediate risk to others, such as in a public park or near a school. Otherwise, report the issue to 311. Trained staff will be dispatched to collect and safely dispose of the items. 

If you use sharps (i.e. syringes, needles, lancets, autoinjectors):

There are two sharps disposal kiosks:

• The kiosk located outdoors at Seven Hills Park in Davis Square accepts both puncture-proof containers and individual sharps (please use indicated slots).
• The kiosk located indoors at the Somerville Police Department (220 Washington St.) in Union Square accepts puncture-proof sharp containers only.  
• For more information on proper sharps disposal, check out Mass.gov's FAQ sheet here.

Many situations involving unhoused individuals generate a coordinated response. Depending on the nature of the issue, you may see:

• Police Department – trained in emergency and crisis response, harm reduction, and de-escalation.
• Fire Department – responsible for emergency medical services (EMS) response, and can support response for hazardous materials or safety concerns in public spaces.
• Health & Human Services – Provides youth and adults with a variety of supportive services to the Somerville Community to promote health and well-being including referrals to counseling or other services and brief case management. Their team includes Community Health Workers (CHWs) who can provide Narcan and overdose prevention training, referrals to care, and enrollment in benefits like SNAP or MassHealth.
• Department of Public Works – responds to public space concerns, safe waste removal, and trash pickup.
• Inspectional Services Division –  responds to reports of drug paraphernalia to safely dispose of and collects trending data of items.  
• COHR (Community Outreach, Help & Recovery) – part of the Somerville Police Department and connects individuals in crisis to behavioral health and recovery services, offering assessments, referrals, and alternatives to arrest.

Our goal is to prioritize connection, not criminalization. Not all interventions related to substance use or unhoused status result in arrest — many result in medical care, service referrals, or ongoing case management. In cases of public or personal safety threats or criminal violations, the law is enforced by our officers.

Your call helps in more ways than one. The City departments above use data from 311 and 911 calls to monitor evolving trends and situations across Somerville. This helps shape intervention and outreach strategies.

Every person in Somerville deserves respect. Here’s how we show up as a caring community:

Do Not:

• Take photos or videos of unhoused people or people in distress.
• Follow individuals around in stores or public spaces.
• Make assumptions. Someone sitting quietly or carrying bags may not need help, or may not want it.

Do:

• Respect public spaces and leave them in good condition for others to enjoy.
• Use the City’s resources instead of intervening directly.
• Speak up with kindness, and report concerns through the proper channels.

If someone asks for support, and you feel comfortable responding, offer it respectfully. If you’re unsure what to do, call 311, we’ll help guide you to the best next step. Again, if someone is experiencing a health or safety emergency, always call 911 right away.

Here are some local services that provide help every day:

• Somerville Homeless Coalition: 617-623-6111 | info@shcinc.org
• COHR, Community Outreach, Help and Recovery team: 617-625-6600 x7281 | COHR@police.somerville.ma.us
• Community Health Workers (CHWs), City of Somerville: 617-625-6600 x4343 | chw@somervillema.gov
• Health & Human Services, City of Somerville: 617-625-6600 x4300 | HHS Contact Form
• Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs (SOIA), City of Somerville (Immigrant Affairs): somervillema.gov/ContactSomerViva | 617-666-3311