PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Street Response, the city's unarmed team for dealing with non-violent crisis calls, expanded its operating hours Tuesday, bringing it closer to the eventual goal of a citywide, 24/7 service.

"Crisis happens at any time of the day and we just want to be available," said Caroline Pope, who manages community outreach for Portland Street Response.

In July, Portland City Council passed a resolution to strengthen the PSR program . It formally establishes PSR as an equal branch of the city's public safety system; ensures that members will not be deployed for homeless camp sweeps; and commits to expanding it for citywide, 24/7 service.

The city recently allocated funds to allow the program add an extra four hours to its available response window, which was previous

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