Ffx. Co. Recognizes NOVA Police for Marcus Alert Efforts

March 13, 2024 / Faculty/Staff Highlights

On March 7, NOVA Police Chief William “Jake” Jacoby and NOVA Police Communications Supervisor David Riglin were honored by Fairfax County for their dedication and efforts in assisting with the implementation of the Marcus Alert system. Both Chief Jacoby and Supervisor Riglin shared their wealth of knowledge, experience and leadership in the area of mental health with Fairfax County’s Behavioral Health and Crisis Response Team. 

Please join us in congratulating Chief Jacoby and Supervisor Riglin for receiving this acknowledgment. Below is additional information relating to Marcus Alert and the Marcus Alert system. 

What Is Marcus Alert?
Marcus Alert enhances services for people experiencing a crisis related to mental health, substance use or developmental disability. Marcus Alert coordinates between 911 and regional crisis call centers to establish a specialized response from law enforcement in the event of a behavioral health situation.

What is the connection between Marcus Alert and 988?

The Marcus Alert Law in Virginia complements 988 by:

  • Having a local crisis hotline number (703-527-4077) that works with the national 988 framework used to direct calls to the regional crisis call center.
  • Requiring various agencies in Virginia to work together (911, regional crisis call centers, law enforcement and behavioral health agencies) to provide appropriate behavioral health responses in their community. The federal rollout of 988 in July 2022 underscored the need for 911 and other local crisis response resources to complement 988. The Marcus Alert legislation in Virginia supports and complements the federal 988 infrastructure.
  • Ensuring the existing 988 centers in Virginia also serve as regional crisis call centers, capable of deploying regional mobile crisis teams for in-person support in Virginia communities when appropriate.

How do 911, law enforcement, 988 and behavioral health agencies work together?
A triage framework is used across Virginia and locally to facilitate communication between multiple state and local agencies including 911, crisis call centers, law enforcement and behavioral health agencies. This framework establishes a shared language that is used across the crisis response system. Behavioral health situations are identified as one of the four color-coded levels below, with responses in each level based on available community resources.

Image of color-coded Marcus Alert system. Four rectangles, from left to right: Green: Level 1, Routine Behavioral Health Situation Yellow: Level 2, Moderate Behavioral Health Situation Orange: Level 3, Urgent Behavioral Health Situation Red: Level 4, Emergent Behavioral Health Situation

How did responses to behavioral health situations change with Marcus Alert locally?
On June 28, 2023, the 988 Regional Crisis Call Center, required in the Marcus Alert law, was incorporated into the local behavioral health crisis response system and began assisting people interacting with public safety agencies who have non-emergency behavioral health needs. The 988 Regional Crisis Call Center provides phone support and resources and also deploys mobile crisis teams to people seeking in-person support.

Where is Marcus Alert now available?

The program is now available in the following localities:

  • Western Va.: Madison County, Fauquier County, Warrenton and Culpeper City (Rappahannock-Rapidan Community Services), Caroline County, King George County, Spotsylvania County, City of Fredericksburg and Stafford County (Rappahannock Area CSB)
  • Northern Va.: Prince William County (Prince William County Community Services), Fairfax County, City of Falls Church and City of Fairfax (Fairfax-Falls Church CSB)
  • Southwest Va.: City of Bristol and Washington County including the Towns of Abingdon, Damascus and Glade Spring (Highlands CSB), Botetourt County, Craig County, Roanoke County, City of Roanoke and City of Salem (Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare)
  • Central Va.: City of Richmond (Richmond Behavioral Health Authority), Chesterfield County (Chesterfield CSB)
  • Southeast Va.: City of Virginia Beach (Virginia Beach Human Services), City of Hampton and City of Newport News (Hampton-Newport News CSB)

The remaining cities and counties in Virginia have until July 1, 2028, to implement Marcus Alert.

Additional Resources for Areas Surrounding NOVA:

Image of PowerPoint slide with NOVA green and gold logo at top left, green and gray mosaic flourish at top right, and green background. Blue and yellow Northern Virginia Community College Police shield is at top center. At left of slide is a photograph of NOVA Police Chief William "Jake" Jacoby (left) and Police Communication Supervisor David Riglin (right) smiling for the camera while holding certificates. The blue flag of the Commonwealth of Virginia appears at right. At right of main photo on the slide is a closeup photograph of both certificates.

Submitted by:
Lt. Tony Ong, NOVA PD, TOng2@nvcc.edu