Marcus Alert
The Marcus-David Peters Act was signed into law in late 2020 by Governor Ralph Northam, and named for Marcus-David Peters: a young, Black biology teacher who was killed by Richmond police in 2018 while experiencing a mental health crisis.
Marcus Alert is a foundation for individuals experiencing a crisis related to mental health, substance use, or a developmental disability. By creating a collaboration between 911, the regional crisis call center, local first responders, and regional mobile teams, Marcus Alert ensures that the emergency response to a behavioral health crisis is a behavioral health response.
In compliance with VA Code Section 9.1-193, a voluntary database for mental health was created which allows individuals to privately disclose their mental illnesses to law enforcement. Information such as behavioral and mental health illnesses, developmental or intellectual disabilities, and brain injuries will remain confidential.
The information given will not be made available to the public and will only be used by the 911 Center and emergency responders.
The goal of this database is to promote an informed response within law enforcement when encountering an individual dealing with behavioral health issues. A minor can be entered into the database by a parent or legal guardian. When the minor turns 18, they will automatically be removed from the platform, unless a request to stay active has been made. Deputies will be aware of any pre-existing mental health disorders prior to responding to a call.
The Marcus Alert is a statewide mobile system, which includes having community behavioral health coverage, and a voluntary database.
If a resident within Shenandoah County contacts 911 for emergent assistance and is experiencing a behavioral health emergency, a Community Service Deputy will be dispatched, and when available, 911 will dispatch a Co-Responder Unit to respond on scene. The mental health professional will be able to provide crisis intervention on scene and connect the person to appropriate resources to minimize a future crisis. The Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office is currently working on creating a Co-Responder Program, to combine the knowledge and training of our Community Service Deputies, as well as behavioral health professionals, to ensure a better response to these calls.
This Marcus Alert system will help the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office better prepare and serve the needs of our community.
Click here for more information on The Marcus Alert
In compliance with Va. Code Section 9.1-193(F), each locality shall establish a voluntary database to be made available to the 9-1-1 alert system and the Marcus alert system to provide relevant mental health information and emergency contact information for appropriate response to an emergency or crisis. If you are an individual with the behavioral health illness, mental health illness, developmental or intellectual disability, or brain injury; the parent or legal guardian of such individual if the individual is under the age of 18; or a person appointed the guardian of such person, you may voluntarily provide identifying and health information concerning behavioral health illness, mental health illness, developmental or intellectual disability, or brain injury to this database. Provision of such information is completely voluntary. This information will be made available only to the 9-1-1 alert system and the Marcus alert system