BERNALILLO COUNTY TAKES A STEP TOWARD IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WITH A PILOT PROGRAM THAT STARTS WEDNESDAY. THAT’S WHEN MENTAL CRISIS TEAMS WILL BEGIN GOING OUT WITH SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES AND POLICE OFFICERS ON NON-VIOLENT CALLS INVOLVING SOMEONE DEALING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS.
IT’S PARTLY FUNDED BY THE COUNTY’S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TAX. THE REST OF THE FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM COMES FROM ALBUQUERQUE’S PUBLIC SAFETY TAX.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER MAGGIE HART STEBBINS SAYS IT’S A PILOT PROGRAM FOR NOW, WHICH WILL BE EVALUATED IN A YEAR. IF IT’S BEEN SUCCESSFUL, IT WILL BE EXPANDED. IF IT IS NOT SUCCESSFUL, THE PROGRAM’S FUNDS WILL BE REDIRECTED. .
THE PROGRAM’S GOAL IS TO HELP DIFFUSE TENSE SITUATIONS.
