A program that began with a conversation last summer in Marshalltown is now up and running. MPACT, also known as Marshalltown Police and Community Team, has two social workers on the job, ready to respond when police officers are called to situations that are more social in nature than criminal.

David Hicks, director of YSS of Marshall County, says the social workers have been doing ride-alongs with officers and have even assisted on some calls. He and Police Chief Mike Tupper had no blueprint for this program, as it is the first of its kind in the state.

Hicks announced the program’s debut to Kyle Martin on the Man on The Street program on 1230 KFJB.