WORCESTER—As Worcester faces mounting scrutiny over how it responds to mental health emergencies—including a pending federal lawsuit—city councilors are pressing for a clearer picture of what actually happens when those calls come in.
At last week’s city council meeting, Councilor Kathleen Toomey’s request for a detailed report on the city’s current mental health response system moved forward with broad support, as multiple councilors raised questions about data, coordination and whether existing efforts are enough.
The order asks City Manager Eric Batista to outline the current process used by the Worcester Police Department and Emergency Communications and Management Department when responding to mental health-related 911 calls, along with any programs or initiatives currently in place…