We want 22 more Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) social workers to be hired by the County of San Diego to work with San Diego Police Department so that calls for mental crisis are handled by trained professionals first to reduce the need for law enforcement's involvement.  SDPD has 28 PERT workers and has requested 50.  The County has added 3 since 2018 when SDPD Chief Nesleit was appointed to replace Chief Zimmerman. 

PERT provides emergency assessment and referral for individuals in behavioral health crisis who come to the attention of law enforcement through phone calls from community members or in-field law enforcement request for emergency assistance. Licensed mental health clinicians are paired with sworn SDPD officers.

The Homeless Outreach Team team uses a SDPD Officer, PERT clinician, and County Health and Human Services Specialist in outreach teams, working with other providers to place homeless persons into transitional shelters and then into more permanent housing. PERT partners mental health clinicians with police officers riding together on patrol and responding to calls involving mental health emergencies.

County budgets $762.2m for behavorial health services and SDPD's total budget is $560m.  The County underpays social workers who after getting training move on to other higher paying positions. The County of San Diego has to do better! Don't defund SDPD, fund behavorial health services by the County! Photo by onscene.tv