Arlington County has implemented a new system to better respond to individuals who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. The system was put in place to more effectively customize a response to people who need help when someone calls 911.
The Marcus Alert System establishes coordination between 911 call centers, community crisis centers and law enforcement agencies to enhance services and response to people experiencing crises related to mental health, substance abuse and developmental disabilities.
The Marcus Alert System is also installed in Prince William, Loudoun and Fairfax counties.
“What’s great about this system is that it ensures that every individual has equitable access to behavioral health resources,” said Tiffany Jones, coordinator for Arlington County’s Marcus Alert. “Essentially, this system is designed to bridge the gap between the behavioral health system and the criminal justice system.”
The Marcus Alert system is named after Marcus David Peters, a Black biology teacher who was killed by Richmond police in 2018 after suffering a mental health crisis.
In 2020, Virginia passed a law requiring local governments to establish procedures for responding appropriately to mental health calls.
“This system is something that’s been needed for a long time,” Jones said. “Not only do we need to better look at the gaps and barriers in the system, but we also need to ensure that equitable services are provided to everyone.”
Emergency call takers receive special training in mental health and mental disorders, as well as crisis de-escalation tactics.
When every second counts, this training can make a big difference.
“The idea is to increase the likelihood that when an individual is experiencing a behavioral health crisis, they’ll receive a compassionate behavioral health response, rather than a law enforcement response,” Jones said.
All Virginia cities and towns with a population of 40,000 or more are required to have the Marcus Alert System by 2028.
