NEW ROCHELLE – The New Rochelle Police Department has announced the beginning of a Mobil Crisis Response Team (MCRT).
The team is comprised of mental health professionals from the Guidance
Center of New Rochelle, who will respond along with, and in some case in lieu of police officers to calls of people in mental crisis.
This initiative is part of the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health Services – Project Alliance.
New Rochelle Police dispatchers, supervisors and police officers have been trained to assess risk level and determine whether a particular call may require a mental health professional to accompany police on a call.
The coordinated approach will also address follow-up and connection with related resources such as care coordination, treatment, and community services like housing and health care.
“The goal of our department is to provide the best service for our community,” said Police Commissioner Robert Gazzola. “We recognize there are instances where perhaps a law enforcement response is not the best option for a person in mental crisis. This partnership will help an individual in
distress get the help they need and ensure the safest possible outcome.”
