Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office
SHERIFF ROGER L. HARRIS
marcus alert system
In 2020, Virginia State legislators created the mental health awareness response and community understanding services (Marcus) alert system to promote a behavioral health response to individuals in crisis, including those with substance abuse disorder and developmental disabilities.
The goals of the MARCUS Alert System is to increase:
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Access to care for individuals in crisis
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Access to timely treatment
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Sense of dignity
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Public recognition of community mental health needs
While decreasing:
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Likelihood of physical confrontation
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Arrests, detention, and use-of-force
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Injuries during crisis events
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Need for mental health treatment in jail
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Psychiatric hospitalizations
Every locality in Virginia will have a voluntary database available to the E-911 Communications Center and Marcus Alert Systems. The goal is to reduce unfavorable outcomes and connect individuals to appropriate treatment or resources through a response appropriate to a given situation – that response may only involve mental health clinicians or a combination of law enforcement and clinicians.
To register an individual with the MARCUS Alert System who resides in Spotsylvania, download the form below and submit it via email at marcusalert@spotsylvania.va.us.