The Marcus Alert is named for Marcus David Peters, a young teacher killed in an encounter with law enforcement in 2018 in Richmond, VA. According to the Treatment Advocacy Center, those with untreated mental health issues are 16 times more likely to be killed in an encounter with law enforcement than the average citizen. 

Mr. Peters’ family started Justice and Reformation and came up with the Marcus Alert System. Under The Marcus Alert, a Community Care Team would be formed within the police department made up of social workers, a Care Recovery Specialist, and one police officer. In the event of a wellness check or mental health crisis, dispatch would send out trained social workers and the officer would intervene ONLY if the social workers determine non-lethal force is needed. 

A mental health crisis should not be a death sentence or lead to incarceration. Trained professionals should be on site to recognize a mental health crisis and de-escalate. This protects both officers and citizens. Sign this to ask Staunton City Council to commit to the Marcus Alert locally as well as putting it on our legislative agenda for the state level.