When someone struggles with addiction or suicidal ideation, there are times when a call to 911 may be necessary due to a medical issue or concern for someone’s safety.
Police, fire and rescue departments are most often the ones answering the call for help. Too often, a person in crisis ends up in the back of a police car or ambulance and is taken to jail or the emergency room.
Recognizing that both of those solutions were not ideal for those experiencing a mental-health crisis, Albemarle County Police Chief Sean Reeves began to explore other options…