Marcus Alert is a statewide behavioral health framework designed with protocols that emergency responders use to respond to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The law is named in honor of Marcus David-Peters, a high school biology teacher who was killed by a police officer in Richmond while experiencing a behavioral health crisis in 2018.
Marcus Alert aims to provide an appropriate behavioral health response for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis by:
The RapidSOS Database is one step in achieving the Marcus Alert.
If someone in your household has a behavioral health condition, you are encouraged to create a RapidSOS profile. This free and confidential service provides 911 call-takers with important information when you call from your registered mobile device - information that you choose to share - that can then be passed along to first responders.
The Marcus Alert law requires all localities in Virginia to establish a database, however participation in the service from individuals in any community is 100% voluntary.