City Council accuses Mayor Bibb of slow-walking Tanisha’s Law, a plan to send clinicians — not police — to some 911 calls

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cleveland City Council and Mayor Justin Bibb both say they support sending clinicians, not cops, to certain mental health emergencies. But council members are accusing the mayor of dragging his feet because they believe he doesn’t support their legislation to make the idea a reality.

That plan is Tanisha’s Law, which was introduced last November and would create a Department of Community Crisis Response. That new department, distinct from police, fire or EMS, would include a team of unarmed behavioral health clinicians who would respond to certain 911 calls, such as someone consistently calling police with mental health issues, or seniors who require a wellness check.

One year later, Bibb’s administration responded in a written memo, saying it supports the “intent” of T