Transforming Mental Health Crisis Response: The Marcus Alert System in Action in Arlington County

Arlington County is implementing a new system to improve responses to individuals facing mental health crises. The Marcus Alert System coordinates communication between the 911 call center, regional crisis center, and law enforcement to provide a more tailored and effective response. This system aims to bridge gaps between the behavioral health and criminal justice systems, ensuring equitable access to resources for all individuals.

Named after Marcus-David Peters, who was killed by police during a mental health crisis in 2018, the Marcus Alert System emphasizes the importance of providing compassionate behavioral health responses rather than law enforcement responses. Tiffany Jones, the Arlington County Marcus Alert coordinator, highlighted the need for this system to improve communication and coordination between different agencies involved in responding to mental health crises.

Emergency call takers have received special training on mental health and psychotic disorders, as well as de-escalation tactics to handle crisis situations appropriately. The goal of this training is to increase the chances that individuals in crisis receive a compassionate behavioral health response rather than a law enforcement response. All cities and towns in Virginia with over 40,000 residents are mandated to have the Marcus Alert System in place by 2028.