From the minutes of the last Lake in the Hills Villagee meeeting:
Hisrorically when a resident called 911/dispatch center about someone in mental health crisis, a police officer was typically sent along with paramedics.
Under CESSA, the dispatch center call taker will triage those calls using the computer-aided dispatch protocols.
Calls that involve no suspected crime and no threat of physical harm will be referred to 988/mobile crisis response team (MCRT) made up of mental health professionals who can provide care on scene and connect the person with community services.
As a result, residents may see fewer police officers responding to these calls and more response from MCRT.
Depending upon the information the dispatcher receives from the caller, police will continue to respond when there is a suspected crime, when someone is a threat to themselves or others, or when the MCRT requests police assistance.
If the MCRT cannot respond to the caller in crisis within 60 minutes, other emergency resources would be provided, such as dispatching paramedics.
The McHenry County CESSA committee, which is made up of Police, Fire Chiefs, and other stakeholders to include the MCRT, will continue to meet and keep the lines of communication open.
The police department remains dedicated to providing the necessary resources to the community within the confines of CESSA;
Successes and challenges will be brought to the committee to make sure our residents are being provided with appropriate
services.
Trustee Huckins asked if the response team is provided by the police department. Chief Mannion explained that the program is state funded and the mental health professionals are part of the National Youth Advocate Program based out of Rockford.
The group has plans to lease a building in Crystal Lake. Chief Mannino further explained that 911 calls are triaged to identify those that qualify to be diverted to 988
