skip to main content

Mental Health, Chemical Abuse and Dependency Services Division
Chinook Building
401 Fifth Ave., Suite 400
Seattle, WA 98104

Amnon Shoenfeld, Dir.
e-mail us
Phone:  206-263-9000
Fax:   206-296-5260
TTY:   711 Relay Service

Employee Directory

Department: Community and Human Services
Jackie MacLean, Director

Emergency Service Patrol (ESP)

The Emergency Service Patrol (ESP) helps people who are under the influence of alcohol and other drugs. Drivers get calls from the 9-1-1 emergency system and patrol in the downtown Seattle area to identify and assist persons in need of help. The drivers do a basic screening of a person’s needs and take them to a safe location. Drivers are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Van drivers bring people to helping agencies such as the Dutch Shisler Sobering Support Center, or to hospitals or other health centers if there are medical problems. The drivers take clients who have finished sobering services back into the community.

The ESP patrol area in Seattle is Denny Way on the north, Spokane Street on the south, Broadway to Roy Street on the east, and Elliot Bay on the west. Drivers can go outside of the area in special situations.