Phil Serna – District 1

Patrick Kennedy – District 2

Rich Desmond – District 3
Sue Frost – District 4 (Chair)
Don Nottoli – District 5 (Vice Chair)

SPECIAL MEETING
AGENDA
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
700 H STREET SUITE 1450
SACRAMENTO, CA 95814
(Members may participate via teleconference)

TUESDAY March 30, 2021 9:30 AM

The Board meets simultaneously as the Board of Supervisors and as the

governing board of all special districts having business heard this date.

PUBLIC COMMENT PROCEDURES

In compliance with directives of the County, State, and Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), this meeting is live stream and closed to
public attendance. Meeting procedures are subject to change pursuant to
guidelines related to social distancing and minimizing person-to-person
contact.

Members of the public may address the Board regarding matters not on the
posted agenda following the completion of regular business. The Board
limits public comments for off-agenda matters up to 2-minutes per person
and not more than 15-minutes for a particular subject.

Live meeting comment

Make a verbal public comment during a meeting. The public comment
phone line will open 15-minutes prior to the start of the meeting. Refer to
the agenda and listen to the live meeting to determine when is the best
time to call to be placed in queue to make a public comment. Callers may
be on hold for up to an extended period of time and should plan
accordingly. Dial (916) 875-2500 and follow the prompts to be placed in
queue for a specific agenda item or off-agenda matter. When the Chair
opens public comment for a specific agenda item or off-agenda matter,
callers will be transferred from the queue into the meeting to make a
verbal comment. Each agenda item queue will remain open until the public
comment period is closed for that specific item.

1 March 30, 2021

Written comment
 Send an email comment to [email protected]. Include
meeting date and agenda item number or off-agenda
item. Contact information is optional.
 Mail a comment to 700 H Street, Suite 2450, Sacramento, CA 95814.
Include meeting date and agenda item number or off-agenda
item. Contact information is optional.
 Written comments are distributed to members, filed in the record, and
will not be read aloud.
VIEW MEETING
The meeting is videotaped and cablecast live on Metrocable 14 on the
Comcast, Consolidated Communications and AT&T U-Verse Systems. It is
closed captioned for hearing impaired viewers and webcast live at
http://metro14live.saccounty.net. There will be a rebroadcast of this
meeting on Friday at 6:00 p.m. This meeting is also broadcast live on KUBU
radio on 96.5 FM. A DVD copy is available for checkout through the County
Library System seven to ten days following the meeting.

MEETING MATERIAL
The on-line version of the agenda and associated material is available at
http://bospublicmeetings.saccounty.net. Some documents may not be
posted on-line because of size or format (maps, site plans,
renderings). Contact the Clerk's Office at (916) 874-5411 to obtain copies
of documents.

ACCOMMODATIONS
Requests for accommodations pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) should be made with the Clerk’s Office at (916) 874-5411 (voice)
and CA Relay Services 711 (for the hearing impaired) or
[email protected] prior to the meeting.

ROLL CALL

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Section I - Timed Matters

****************************************************************
TIMED MATTERS CANNOT BE ACTED UPON
BEFORE THE SCHEDULED TIME. TIME MATTERS WILL BE
HEARD AS CLOSE TO THE TIME SCHEDULED AS POSSIBLE.
****************************************************************
2 March 30, 2021
 HEARING MATTERS

1. 9:30 AM -- Direct Staff To Continue Developing A 24/7 Mental Health Crisis

Response System To Be Included In The County’s Fiscal Year 2021-22
Revised Recommended Budget (Continued From February 24, 2021; Item
No. 4) (Health Services)
Supervisorial District(s): All
Impact Area(s): Countywide

Section II - Separate Matters

****************************************************************
SEPARATE MATTERS WILL BE ACTED UPON
AS THE HEARING SCHEDULE PERMITS
****************************************************************

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

2. COUNTY EXECUTIVE COMMENTS

3. SUPERVISOR COMMENTS, REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

3 March 30, 2021

 COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO
CALIFORNIA
1
For the Agenda of:
March 30, 2021
Timed item: 9:30 a.m.

To: Board of Supervisors

Through: Ann Edwards, Interim County Executive

Bruce Wagstaff, Deputy County Executive, Social Services

From: Jim Hunt, Acting Director, Health Services

Subject: Direct Staff To Continue Developing A 24/7 Mental Health

Crisis Response System To Be Included In The County’s
Fiscal Year 2021-22 Revised Recommended Budget

District(s): All

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
Direct staff to:
1. Continue developing a 24/7 mental health Crisis Response System,
including stakeholders and community input, and determine the
availability of governmental and private funding sources.
2. Explore and propose a specific area of the County to begin a mental
health crisis response system.
3. Thoroughly analyze and present a recommendation on the type of call
center to implement: stand-alone, 911 Dispatch, or clinician(s) co-
located with 911 Dispatch.
4. Complete further analysis of expanding the mental health Urgent Care
Clinic, including potential federal and state funding opportunities.
5. Prepare an actionable proposal for implementation of a Crisis Response
System during the Revised Recommended Budget hearings.

BACKGROUND
On February 24, 2021, the Board of Supervisors conducted a hearing on a
proposed alternative to the 911 system for mental health and quality of life
issues. The Board directed that DHS return and provide the cost of operating
a call center with mobile response teams seven days per week at eight hours
per day, 16 hours per day, and 24 hours per day, providing service to the
entire County.

In response to the directives of the Board of Supervisors, DHS and staff from
the Office of the County Executive met with various groups, further researched
model programs, discussed possible partnerships with neighboring counties
Direct Staff To Continue Developing A 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Response
System To Be Included In The County’s Fiscal Year 2021-22 Revised
Recommended Budget
Page 2

and, with input from an internationally recognized consultant, developed a

model 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Response program. The proposal is an early
attempt to give the Board of Supervisors a likely cost estimate for such a
program. Because of the scope of the analysis required, only the 24/7 model
was most thoroughly developed. Models for an eight-hour, seven days a week
program and 16 hours per day model are only based on projected call volume.

This report will discuss planning assumptions, recommendations from the

chiefs of police in Sacramento County, evidence-based practice opportunities
based on program operations in other jurisdictions, and the costs associated
with a fully developed program. The discussion is framed in the Crisis Now
model developed by RI International, a consultant retained by the federal
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The
Crisis Now model includes three components: a call center, mobile field
response and crisis center(s).

Call Center
The call center is the critical entry point. It would be staffed by mental health
clinicians to immediately de-escalate the crisis, assess needs and risks, check
electronic behavioral health records, link consumers to appropriate services
and dispatch mobile response teams, if necessary. Three approaches have
been suggested for a call center: a stand-alone system with a unique phone
number; using existing 911 dispatch centers; or stationing clinicians within
911 dispatch centers. Staff will work closely with law enforcement to analyze
all three call center options as coordination and common triage criteria are
essential.

Stand-alone Call Center

The Crisis Now model incorporates a new call center with a distinct phone
number, independent of the 911 system. This concept is favored by the
community members that participated in listening sessions and a survey,
which included responses from 568 community members. It is also advocated
by RI International consultants, who have worked with jurisdictions world-
wide to implement this evidence-based approach.

The call center’s mental health professionals would be able to immediately

engage the caller to de-escalate crisis situations, review electronic behavioral
health records, assist consumers in accessing services and determine if a field
response is warranted. This model has been successfully implemented, most
notably in Maricopa County, Arizona, where out of approximately 17,000 calls
per month, less than 100 necessitated a referral to the 911 system.
Direct Staff To Continue Developing A 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Response
System To Be Included In The County’s Fiscal Year 2021-22 Revised
Recommended Budget
Page 3

This model requires a separate phone number for the call center. The County
has worked with AT&T to reserve a specific ten-digit phone number for this
purpose. It should be noted that the federal government has established 988
as a three-digit number for suicide prevention and mental health crisis calls,
effective July 1, 2022. In addition, AB 988 in the California legislature this
session would mandate counties adopt 988 as a mental health crisis line, also
effective July 1, 2022.

Call Center Utilizing 911 Dispatch

Many models, including CAHOOTS in Eugene, Oregon, and the STAR program
in Denver, Colorado, utilize the 911 dispatch center. This approach is favored
by all city police chiefs in Sacramento County; however, it would be
inconsistent with the 988 approach. The Sheriff’s Office has indicated that
their dispatch center does not have the capacity to add any additional duties
or workload.

The 911 dispatch centers are largely staffed by civilian employees who are
trained in de-escalation techniques and in determining the most appropriate
response to assist callers. The 911 dispatch centers can immediately access
criminal histories, determine if the persons are chronic offenders, and evaluate
the need for an armed response, a referral for another service or merely no
response at all.

Adopting the use of 911 dispatch would avoid the $80,000 upfront cost of the
telecommunications equipment required for a separate dispatch operation.
However, the need for trained mental health clinicians would remain, so on-
going operating costs would be similar.

Call Center Utilizing 911 Dispatch with Co-located Clinicians

Staff will also explore the option to co-locate behavioral health clinicians within
911 dispatch centers. This approach could provide closer collaboration and
coordination between 911 dispatch operators and clinicians. In some
jurisdictions, most notably Houston, Texas, mental health professionals are
included in 911 dispatch centers allowing an immediate handoff, if
appropriate. The State of Georgia uses this model in some jurisdictions and
stand-alone call centers in others to serve their large state.

Mobile Response Teams

When necessary, mobile response teams will be deployed to serve persons
experiencing a mental health crisis. Call volume projections indicate a need
for 12 teams for county-wide coverage. The Crisis Now model incorporates
two person teams with a mental health professional with a peer, which is the
basis for our estimates. DHS anticipates staffing the teams with both mental
Direct Staff To Continue Developing A 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Response
System To Be Included In The County’s Fiscal Year 2021-22 Revised
Recommended Budget
Page 4

health counselors and senior mental health counselors. Licensed clinical social
workers will provide direct supervision to ensure appropriate services and
allow the junior staff to achieve the necessary levels of supervised work to
help them qualify for licensure.

A key concern in dispatching mobile response teams is determining which calls

should have a mental health response and which, due to potential threats on
the scene, might require a law enforcement response or back up. Staff will
address those issues with law enforcement as part of our planning process.

Estimated Costs
Estimating costs is dependent on program operating hours and projected call
volume. The STAR program in Denver operates from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
and estimate 911 call volume has been reduced by 3%. The CAHOOTS
program operates 24/7 throughout the Eugene/Springfield area and responds
to about 20% of all 911 calls. Crisis Now is a 24/7 model in Maricopa County
that responds to over 200,000 calls per year in a county with a population of
4.4 million. Using these three models yields dramatically different projections.
Staff have used the Crisis Now history, as it is a 24/7 operation that covers
the entire county.

Call Center Costs

Based on call volume projections using the Crisis Now model, the first full year
of implementation of a 24/7 program could be as much as $5.1 million for the
call center. The cost estimate is based on the National Suicide Prevention
Hotline experience, which indicates that the cost to run a call center is $65
per call.

Estimates for less than 24/7 operations are based on staffing during the hours
of highest call volume. A 16-hour program would include over 87.3% of all
calls at a projected cost of about $4.5 million annually. An eight hour per day
program would encompass 53.4% of all calls at an estimated operating cost
of approximately $2.7 million.

Startup costs for a standalone call center are estimated to cost as much as an
additional $1.2 million, utilizing the Crisis Now model, depending on program
operating hours. The startup costs include equipment, technical support and
two months staffing costs for training.

Mobile Response Team Costs

The Crisis Now model projects approximately 12,300 episodes for the 24/7
county-wide Mobile Response Team annually. With an expected capacity of
four episodes per team each shift, twelve teams will be needed at an
Direct Staff To Continue Developing A 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Response
System To Be Included In The County’s Fiscal Year 2021-22 Revised
Recommended Budget
Page 5

approximate cost of $3.8 million. A 16-hour program would be about $3.3

million and an eight-hour program would cost approximately $2.0 million.

Startup costs of approximately $630,000 will be necessary for the mobile crisis
teams, which includes vehicles, equipment, and staff time for training.

Crisis Center
Good behavioral health practice, and the Crisis Now model, call for a crisis
center where persons who need immediate services can be taken 24 hours
per day. While this information was not requested by the Board of
Supervisors, it should be considered as it is an integral part of a system
dealing with mental health crisis: Where do the take these individuals in crisis?

In the past, law enforcement and emergency service providers could bring
consumers in crisis to the Mental Health Treatment Center to be received and
treated, providing immediate, appropriate care, allowing first responders to
return to their assignments. The need for these services was emphasized by
our County’s police chiefs in our recent discussions.

Budget reductions forced the closure of the program at the Treatment Center.
Currently, persons in significant mental health crisis must be taken to hospital
emergency rooms and wait, with law enforcement, sometimes for hours, to
be seen. Obviously, that is not optimal for law enforcement nor consumers.

Meeting that need necessitates expanding the current mental health Urgent
Care Clinic to a 24/7 operation. While the facility could not receive involuntary
5150 holds, it would provide a much-needed expansion of crisis care. Staff
would further need to explore other strategies for managing the volume of
individuals contacted by the mobile response teams.

The Urgent Care Clinic is on the same campus as the Treatment Center,
currently operating from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. with the last walk-in
patients seen at 9:00 p.m. It is projected that expanding to a 24/7 facility
will cost an additional $3.5 million. Approximately 40% of this will be covered
by Medi-Cal Federal Financial Participation and 60% would need to be local
funds.

Implementation Plan
Sufficient time is needed to consider practical, realistic plans for
implementation. Hiring staff is likely to be a challenge. Police Chiefs have
recommended a phased implementation in a smaller geographic area with a
high concentration of mental health calls. This can be done in one or more
Sheriff’s districts in the unincorporated area or a similar area in an
Direct Staff To Continue Developing A 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Response
System To Be Included In The County’s Fiscal Year 2021-22 Revised
Recommended Budget
Page 6

incorporated city. Planning for this will necessitate significant discussion and
coordination.

Staff will continue discussions with community partners, advisory boards, and
law enforcement to design as strong a proposal as possible, and to bring a
program design for consideration as part of the FY 2021-22 Revised
Recommended Budget. This should also allow the time necessary for state
legislation to be resolved, which may significantly impact program planning.

Coordination/Collaboration/Consultation
Staff understands that the Board of Supervisors requested a choice of three
different action plans, with the desire to move to implementation as soon as
possible. It is imperative that staff take the time to thoughtfully and carefully
plan our implementation in partnership with law enforcement, advisory
boards, community organizations, consumers, and the community. All parties
may not ultimately agree on a final product, but they must have the
opportunity to be heard and have their viewpoints seriously considered.

While staff have completed a significant amount of outreach, there is still much
to be done. For instance, staff recently received requests to provide
opportunities for additional input from the Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board
and the Disability Advisory Commission.

Conversations with local law enforcement have been very productive. There
is consensus that the project is a worthwhile and needed service; however,
there remains a great deal of detail to be discussed and decided.

FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
The table below shows the projected full year costs for the three scenarios
requested by the Board of Supervisors. Additional startup costs of up to $1.2
million for the call center and $630,000 for the mobile response teams must
be considered, as well.

Annual Cost Comparison of Three Program Models (in millions)

Program 8 Hour 16 Hour 24 Hour
Call Center $2.7 $4.5 $5.1
Mobile Response $2.0 $3.3 $3.8
One Time
Startup Costs $1.5 $1.7 $1.8
Totals $6.2 $9.5 $10.7

A comprehensive Crisis Now model program also includes a crisis facility for
individuals requiring follow up care. The DHS proposal to expand and upgrade
Direct Staff To Continue Developing A 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Response
System To Be Included In The County’s Fiscal Year 2021-22 Revised
Recommended Budget
Page 7

the Mental Health Urgent Care Clinic would require an additional appropriation
of $3.5 million annually, partially funded by federal financial participation of
$1.4 million.

The recently enacted American Rescue Plan Act includes an optional provision
allowing states to receive Medicaid reimbursement for services, “…furnished
by a multidisciplinary mobile crisis team.” Such a team must include a
behavioral health professional and another individual, which may include peer
support specialists. This option, coupled with the likely state implementation
of a 988 designated mental health crisis line funded by a user fee, has the
potential to dramatically alter the funding outlook for our proposed Crisis Now
implementation.

Staff have also scheduled time with members of the county’s legislative
delegation to determine the possibility of pilot funding, leading to the
implementation of AB 988. DHS will continue to pursue all available funding
sources, as well as, legislative initiatives. The costs and potential revenues
associated with Board of Supervisors’ direction will be included in discussions
for the FY 2021-22 Revised Recommended Budget.

Attachment:

PPT – Behavioral Health Crisis Response

 Behavioral Health
Crisis Response
Department of Health Services
March 30, 2021

Jim Hunt, Acting Director

Background
Feb 24, 2021
 Board directed DHS to develop proposals for
◦ Call Center
◦ Crisis Response
 7 days per week
◦ 8 hours / day
◦ 16 hours / day
◦ 24 hours / day

Department of Health Services March 30, 2021 2

Additional Board Requests
 Explore funding options
 Work with local jurisdictions
 Collect one year of 911 data
 Determine if program impacts consent decree
 Determine how program can integrate with
current jurisdictional response systems
 Reach out to WEAVE
 Look into federal legislative efforts
 Reach out to chronic offenders program
 Provide cost savings analysis
 Look into using COVID funds

Department of Health Services March 30, 2021 3

Sheriff’s Office Footnote:
Numbers are estimates, based on calls flagged as “mental health” related.
911 non-emergency calls may not contain enough information to initially be flagged as these types of calls.
Unless re-classified by the responding officer(s) during the clearance of a call, this data is not collected.
A number of reasons could contribute to an officer not reclassifying the call.

Department of Health Services March 30, 2021 4

Program Models
 STAR Program, Denver, Colorado
◦ 3% of 911 calls
◦ 10 am – 6 pm
◦ Limited service area in City of Denver
 CAHOOTS, Eugene, Oregon
◦ 20% of 911 calls
◦ 24/7
◦ Eugene/Springfield area
 Crisis Now, Maricopa County, Arizona
◦ Over 200,000 calls to stand-alone call center
◦ 24/7
◦ Entire county

Department of Health Services March 30, 2021 5

Crisis Now
 Sponsored and Endorsed by Federal
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA)
 Evidence Based Practice
 Consultation services funded by California
Mental Health Services Oversight and
Accountability Commission
 Provides modeling estimates regarding
volume

Department of Health Services March 30, 2021 6

Maricopa County Experience
Dec. 2019 – Dec. 2020

Maricopa County population = 4.6 million

Department of Health Services March 30, 2021 7

Maricopa County Experience
2019 and 2020

Phoenix (population 1.6 million) represents 35% of Maricopa County

Department of Health Services March 30, 2021 8

Maricopa County Experience

Department of Health Services March 30, 2021 9

Crisis Now
 Model Program:
◦ Call Center
◦ Crisis Response
◦ Facility

Department of Health Services March 30, 2021 10

 Call Center Options
 Stand-Alone
 911 Dispatch
 Clinician(s) co-located with 911
Dispatch

Department of Health Services March 30, 2021 11

Call Center Considerations
 Federal 988 Suicide Prevention and Behavioral
Health Emergency Response phone number,
similar to 911, effective July 1, 2022
 AB 988, if enacted as written, mandates use
of 988 in California effective July 1, 2022
 Surcharge authorized to fund call centers
 988 call centers to coordinate with law
enforcement, fire and medical
 Prior to July 1, 2022, 10 digit phone number
or 911 would need to be used

Department of Health Services March 30, 2021 12

Mobile Response Teams
 Crisis Now projections indicate demand for
12 mobile response teams
 Two person teams
◦ Mental Health professional
◦ Peer with lived experience
 Clinical Supervision

Department of Health Services March 30, 2021 13

Call Center Costs
 Crisis Now modeling projections:
 24 hour / 7 days
◦ 78,000 calls
◦ $5.1 Million first full year
 16 hour / 7 days
◦ 87.3% of calls
◦ $4.5 Million
 8 hour / 7 days
◦ 53.4% of calls
◦ $2.7 Million
 Startup $1.2 Million

Department of Health Services March 30, 2021 14

Mobile Response Costs
 Crisis Now modeling projections:
◦ 12,300 episodes
 24 hours / 7 days per week
◦ $3.8 Million
 16 hours / 7 days per week
◦ $3.3 Million
 8 hours / 7 days per week
◦ $2.0 Million
 Startup $630,000

Department of Health Services March 30, 2021 15

Crisis Center
 Crisis Now:
◦ Location to take individuals in need of care
◦ 24/7
 Expand and upgrade Urgent Care Clinic
◦ $3.5 Million
40% Federal financial participation- $1.4 Million
60% Local cost - $2.1 Million

Department of Health Services March 30, 2021 16

Ongoing Coordination /
Consultation / Collaboration
 Law Enforcement
 Advisory Boards
 Consumers
 WEAVE
 Behavioral Health Partners
 Community
 Elected Officials
 Crisis Now
 Neighboring Counties

Department of Health Services March 30, 2021 17

 American Rescue Plan Act
 Adds mental health crisis mobile response
teams as optional Medicaid program
 Teams must include behavioral health
professional and:
◦ Nurse
◦ Social worker, or
◦ Peer support specialist
 85% federal financial participation
 Requires state action

Department of Health Services March 30, 2021 18

Implementation Activities
 Board of Supervisors approval
 Collaboration & coordination efforts with
stakeholders, partners and community
 Coordinate Community Response Team and
Access Team functions
 Expand Urgent Care Clinic
 Hire and train staff
 Purchase vehicles and equipment
 Conduct marketing/advertising campaign

Department of Health Services March 30, 2021 19

 COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO
CALIFORNIA

For the Agenda of:

February 24, 2021
Timed: 2:30 p.m.

To: Board of Supervisors

Through: Ann Edwards, Interim County Executive

Bruce Wagstaff, Deputy County Executive, Social Services

From: Jim Hunt, Acting Director, Health Services

Subject: Approve Proposed Pilot Approach For A 911 Alternative

Response And Call Center Program, Amending Sacramento
County Conflict Of Interest Code Adding 16.0 Full Time
Positions And Four Vehicles To Operate The Pilot Program,
And Approve An Appropriations Adjustment Request In The
Amount Of $107,372 (AAR No. 2021-2027)

District(s): All

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
1. Approve the attached Salary Resolution Amendment (SRA 2021-048B),
including recommended changes to the Sacramento County Conflict of
Interest Code, to add 16.0 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) positions as
follows, to support implementation of the Department of Health Services
(DHS) 911 Alternative Response and Call Center Pilot Programs:
 1.0 FTE Mental Health Program Coordinator
 9.0 FTE Senior Mental Health Counselor
 1.0 FTE Senior Behavioral Health Peer Specialist
 4.0 FTE Behavioral Health Peer Specialist
 1.0 FTE Senior Office Assistant
2. Approve the attached Resolution authorizing the Director of DHS, or
designee, to allocate $137,676 for the one-time purchase of four
vehicles for the 911 Alternative Response and Call Center Pilot
Programs, and to authorize the Director of the Department of General
Services, or designee, to purchase these four vehicles.
3. Approve the attached Appropriation Adjustment Request (AAR No.
2021-2027) in the amount of $107,372 (four-fifths vote required).

BACKGROUND
On September 10, 2020, the Board directed County Departments to
collaboratively develop a mobile mental health crisis system proposal that
Approve Proposed Pilot Approach For A 911 Alternative Response And Call
Center Program, Amending Sacramento County Conflict Of Interest Code
Adding 16.0 Full Time Positions And Four Vehicles To Operate The Pilot
Program, And Approve An Appropriations Adjustment Request In The Amount
Of $107,372 (AAR No. 2021-2027)
Page 2

would serve as an alternative to the 911 emergency line for people

experiencing mental health crises.
Such a program is timely, given that numerous national studies, including a
report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have
demonstrated worse mental health outcomes, increased substance use, and
elevated suicidal ideation among adults since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Sacramento County residents are experiencing similarly adverse mental
health conditions and therefore have an increased need for mental health and
homeless crisis services.

An internal working group was established in response to the Board’s direction

that include the Office of the County Executive; Sheriff’s Office; DHS;
Department of Human Assistance; Department of Child, Family, and Adult
Services; Child Support Services; Probation; Public Defender’s Office; and the
Director of Homeless Initiatives. This working group reviewed relevant data
and models from the Sheriff’s Office, DHS, and other jurisdictions, including
Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets (CAHOOTS) in Eugene, Oregon,
and Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) in Denver, Colorado. On
November 3, 2020, findings from this research were reported to the Board.
The Board directed staff to return with a funding package and a full
assessment of what it would take to implement and support a call center and
mobile response teams.

Community Input
From October through November of 2020, DHS held two Community Listening
Sessions and conducted a Community Input Survey to gather input on the
goals and design of an emergency response alternative to 911 for mental
health and quality of life crises. A total of 568 individuals participated in a
Community Listening Session event (192 participants) or the Community
Input Survey (376 participants).

The most frequently reported goals that participants identified for a mental
health and quality of life response were as follows:
 Safely de-escalate crises
 Provide linkages to accessible and affordable mental health and
homeless-related resources to decrease repeat crises and emergency
department visits
 Offer a response team that does not include law enforcement staffing
 Ensure the model is community-based
 A new emergency phone number that is independent from 911 to
dispatch the mental health response
Approve Proposed Pilot Approach For A 911 Alternative Response And Call
Center Program, Amending Sacramento County Conflict Of Interest Code
Adding 16.0 Full Time Positions And Four Vehicles To Operate The Pilot
Program, And Approve An Appropriations Adjustment Request In The Amount
Of $107,372 (AAR No. 2021-2027)
Page 3

 Decrease criminalization of mental health and homelessness

The majority of participants recommended that the multi-disciplinary response

team include mental health clinicians, peers with lived experience, social
workers, and medical clinicians. The most frequently described services that
participants indicated the response team should provide access to were:
 Housing and shelter
 Mental health assessment and services
 Food, water, and other survival needs
 Medical care and medication
 Crisis stabilization and respite centers

Pilot Proposal
At the November 3, 2020 Board hearing, a funding level of approximately $1.5
million was suggested for an Alternative 911 pilot program. In an attempt to
meet that funding target, a pilot program was designed and is the basis for
the recommended actions. The pilot program will provide an opportunity to
test the concept, accumulate data, assess operating issues, and measure
outcomes. The experience of the pilot program will provide invaluable
information and guide efforts to implement a fully operational 24 hour, seven
days a week program.

The Call Center and Mental Health Response Teams for this pilot program will
require 16 staff. This will include four two person response teams, a five
person Call Center, and supervisory and support staff, at a full year cost of
$1,650,901. The program hours would be aligned with peak times in calls for
service, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

This pilot program will provide crisis intervention and de-escalation services,
assess needs and risks, and create safety plans. This includes identifying and
leveraging individual strengths and natural supports; coordinating with
existing health providers; and linking consumers to ongoing services.

We anticipate that hiring, training, and set up for the program will be
completed in time for a July 1, 2021 startup, operating as a pilot program for
two years. That allows one year to roll out the service, inform the community
of the service and how to access it, test the concept and adjust based on what
we learn. The second year will give us better data regarding call and referral
volume with a fully informed public. We will also capture data on referrals,
outcomes and other measures. This will help us refine operational issues in
preparation for developing a full program.
Approve Proposed Pilot Approach For A 911 Alternative Response And Call
Center Program, Amending Sacramento County Conflict Of Interest Code
Adding 16.0 Full Time Positions And Four Vehicles To Operate The Pilot
Program, And Approve An Appropriations Adjustment Request In The Amount
Of $107,372 (AAR No. 2021-2027)
Page 4

Call Center
The Call Center for the pilot program will be staffed by Senior Mental Health
Counselors to triage consumers’ level of need, review their behavioral health
records, and conduct mental health assessments to determine the appropriate
response. Potential responses include providing crisis intervention and de-
escalation services over the phone; dispatching a Mental Health Response
Team; connecting current clients to their existing behavioral health service
providers; and referring clients to the Mental Health Urgent Care Clinic, Crisis
Center Respite, and ongoing mental health, substance use, and homeless
services. A Senior Office Assistant will provide administrative support for the
Call Center, as well as the Mental Health Response Teams.

The Call Center is necessary for two reasons. First, the community is
unequivocal about the need for a separate, non-law enforcement call-in
number. Secondly, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office has expressed that
they do not have the capacity with existing staff to triage 911 calls for an
appropriate mental health response.

The use of an easily remembered three digit phone number was a priority
mentioned in public comments. All phone numbers in the X11 series of
numbers are in use. We researched the possibility of using the 311 community
resource number. While that is a feasible option, it is not recommended.

The 311 operators could handle incoming calls and make referrals by
developing a question tree protocol, similar to current 311 operations. What
sets apart the mental health Call Center is the fact that it will be staffed by
mental health professionals. Because the team members are highly trained,
many calls can be handled immediately without the need for a field response.

The pilot program Call Center team would not be deleted or reduced if 311 is
used to accept calls. Calls transferred to the pilot program Call Center would
still need clinical triage to determine the clinical needs, address any clinical
needs in the moment, determine when to deploy the mobile team, and identify
clinically appropriate resources for linkage.

In addition, costs of the 311 system are billed to user departments, thereby
increasing costs to the pilot program. It is likely that the increased call volume
would require additional 311 staff.
Approve Proposed Pilot Approach For A 911 Alternative Response And Call
Center Program, Amending Sacramento County Conflict Of Interest Code
Adding 16.0 Full Time Positions And Four Vehicles To Operate The Pilot
Program, And Approve An Appropriations Adjustment Request In The Amount
Of $107,372 (AAR No. 2021-2027)
Page 5

Crisis Call Center Staffing:

 5.0 FTE Senior Mental Health Counselor
 1.0 FTE Senior Office Assistant

Mental Health Response Teams

Four Mental Health Response Teams in the pilot program would consist of
Senior Mental Health Counselors and Senior Behavioral Health Peer Specialists
that provide in-person crisis intervention and de-escalation services, assess
needs and risks, and create safety plans. The four teams would provide
Countywide coverage. Their functions would include identifying and
leveraging individual strengths and natural supports, coordinating with
existing health providers, and linking to ongoing services. The Mobile Crisis
Support Teams or other emergency responders would be accessed, if
necessary.

In addition, Peer Specialists will provide peer support services such as sharing
recovery stories, identifying wellness goals, and providing emotional support
to consumers of behavioral health services and their families. A Mental Health
Program Coordinator will provide management and oversight for the Mental
Health Response Teams, as well as the Call Center.

Response Teams:
 1.0 FTE Mental Health Program Coordinator
 4.0 FTE Senior Mental Health Counselor (one per team)
 1.0 FTE Senior Behavioral Health Peer Specialist
 4.0 FTE Behavioral Health Peer Specialist (one per team)

Training
Training of call center staff was a significant issue in the model programs that
were studied, with up to 500 hours of training required. While some training
will be required for the recommended pilot program, because Call Center staff
will be professional mental health counselors, less training will be required.

All Sacramento County Behavioral Health Services (BHS) staff are provided
training specific to their scope of work. County MHCs and SMHCs have
education and experience related to their level of registration/licensure
overseen by the State Board of Behavioral Sciences, which includes risk
assessments and crisis intervention. In addition, BHS will provide additional
training specific to the role within the pilot program, such as Implicit Bias,
ProAct, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Prevention Training, Trauma
Approve Proposed Pilot Approach For A 911 Alternative Response And Call
Center Program, Amending Sacramento County Conflict Of Interest Code
Adding 16.0 Full Time Positions And Four Vehicles To Operate The Pilot
Program, And Approve An Appropriations Adjustment Request In The Amount
Of $107,372 (AAR No. 2021-2027)
Page 6

Informed Training, Recovery 101, Mental Health First Aid, 5150, and Wise U
for Peers.

Vehicle and Equipment Purchases

Recommended action 2 will provide the transportation necessary for the
Mental Health Response Teams with the purchase of four vehicles in the
amount of $137,676, which includes the purchase amount of $107,372,
annual rental fees and estimated fuel costs. The Department of General
Services will purchase these vehicles upon Board approval. To support
operations, DHS will also be making one time purchases of equipment in the
amount of $56,214.

Full Implementation Proposal

At the Board of Supervisors hearing on November 3, 2020, a request was
made to determine what it would take to implement a County-wide, 24/7 Call
Center and Mental Health Response Teams. Such a plan would best meet the
needs identified by the community, serving as a central access point for
mental health crisis services, increasing the response of mental health
professionals to applicable calls for service, and decreasing the need for law
enforcement response.

As noted above, full program design would ultimately be influenced by

experience with the pilot program. It is projected that the Call Center would
dispatch six Mental Health Response Teams per eight hour shift assigned to
locations throughout the County. These teams would provide immediate, 24/7
crisis intervention and de-escalation services, assess needs and risks, and
create safety plans. This includes identifying and leveraging individual
strengths and natural supports; coordinating with existing health providers;
linking to ongoing services; voluntary transport to urgent/emergency
resources; and accessing Mobile Crisis Support Teams or other emergency
responders when necessary.

In addition, the Call Center and Mental Health Response Teams would support
the following areas of cost avoidance for Sacramento County:
• Decrease in emergency calls for service.
• Decrease in emergency department visits and psychiatric
hospitalizations.
• Diversion from unnecessary incarcerations.
• Mitigation of potential lawsuits to law enforcement.
Approve Proposed Pilot Approach For A 911 Alternative Response And Call
Center Program, Amending Sacramento County Conflict Of Interest Code
Adding 16.0 Full Time Positions And Four Vehicles To Operate The Pilot
Program, And Approve An Appropriations Adjustment Request In The Amount
Of $107,372 (AAR No. 2021-2027)
Page 7

71-J Analysis
Services will be provided by County employees so there is no 71-J impact.

Conflict of Interest
The Political Reform Act requires governmental agencies to identify and
designate those positions and offices within the organization, which are
subject to conflict of interest disclosure. After careful review of all the
requested positions in accordance with the FPPC requirements and
Sacramento County’s decision tool, the department recommends that the
Board of Supervisors amend the Conflict of Interest Code for the listed
positions below in this SRA.

Additions Disclosure Categories

Job Title Position ID A B C D E F
Mental Health Program NEW X X X X X
Coordinator
Senior Behavioral Health Peer NEW X X X X
Specialist
Senior Mental Health NEW X X X X X
Counselor
Senior Mental Health NEW X X X X X
Counselor
Senior Mental Health NEW X X X X X
Counselor
Senior Mental Health NEW X X X X X
Counselor
Senior Mental Health NEW X X X X X
Counselor
Senior Mental Health NEW X X X X X
Counselor
Senior Mental Health NEW X X X X X
Counselor
Senior Mental Health NEW X X X X X
Counselor
Senior Mental Health NEW X X X X X
Counselor

FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
The requested additional positions and other program expenses will result in
an annual cost of $1,650,901 in FY2021-22. The cost for the remainder of
Approve Proposed Pilot Approach For A 911 Alternative Response And Call
Center Program, Amending Sacramento County Conflict Of Interest Code
Adding 16.0 Full Time Positions And Four Vehicles To Operate The Pilot
Program, And Approve An Appropriations Adjustment Request In The Amount
Of $107,372 (AAR No. 2021-2027)
Page 8

FY2020-21 is estimated at $300,000 for the positions and $193,890 for other
program expenses, for a total of $493,890. DHS anticipates sufficient General
Fund savings to absorb the FY 2020-21 costs. DHS and CEO staff will work to
provide funding for the first full year of the pilot program in the proposed
FY2021-22 budget.

An AAR is being included to add appropriations to the Department of General

Services to purchase the vehicles.

Attachments:
RES 1 – Salary Resolution Amendment
ATT 1 – Add Delete Sheet SRA No. 2021-048B
RES 2 – Authority To Allocate $137,676 For The Purchase Of Four Vehicles
And Authorize DGS To Purchase These Four Vehicles
AAR – Appropriation Adjustment Request (AAR No. 2021-2027)
ATT 2 – Community Input Sessions and Survey Report
 RESOLUTION NO.

WHEREAS, Salary Resolution No. 2000-0877 is amended as specified

in the attached pages(s).
WHEREAS, except as amended by this resolution, said Annual Salary
Resolution shall remain in full force and effect.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Supervisors, County of Sacramento,
resolves and determines the effective date of each amendment will be
specifically set forth in the attached page(s).
On a motion by Supervisor ______________, seconded by Supervisor
______________, the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted by the
Board of Supervisors of the County of Sacramento this 24th day of February,
2021, by the following vote, to wit:

AYES: Supervisors,

NOES: Supervisors,

ABSENT: Supervisors,

ABSTAIN: Supervisors,

RECUSAL: Supervisors,
(PER POLITICAL REFORM ACT (§ 18702.5.)

Chair of the Board of Supervisors

of Sacramento County, California

(SEAL)

ATTEST:
Clerk, Board of Supervisors
SRA #2021-048B FY 2020-21 Attachment 1
Effective Date: February 28, 2021

SECTION 81 - HEALTH SERVICES

Action Pos ID Job ID Job Title Pos Type FTE Job Subtotal

Add* 29646 Behavioral Health Peer Specialist Perm FT 1.0

Add* 29646 Behavioral Health Peer Specialist Perm FT 1.0
Add* 29646 Behavioral Health Peer Specialist Perm FT 1.0
Add* 29646 Behavioral Health Peer Specialist Perm FT 1.0
4.0
Add* 28151 Mental Health Program Coordinator Perm FT 1.0
1.0
Add* 29645 Senior Behavioral Health Peer Specialist Perm FT 1.0
1.0
Add* 28147 Senior Mental Health Counselor Perm FT 1.0
Add* 28147 Senior Mental Health Counselor Perm FT 1.0
Add* 28147 Senior Mental Health Counselor Perm FT 1.0
Add* 28147 Senior Mental Health Counselor Perm FT 1.0
Add* 28147 Senior Mental Health Counselor Perm FT 1.0
Add* 28147 Senior Mental Health Counselor Perm FT 1.0
Add* 28147 Senior Mental Health Counselor Perm FT 1.0
Add* 28147 Senior Mental Health Counselor Perm FT 1.0
Add* 28147 Senior Mental Health Counselor Perm FT 1.0
9.0
Add* 28203 Senior Office Assistant Perm FT 1.0
1.0

Position FTE
Total 16.0 16.0

Net Section FTE Change 16.0 16.0

*New Position

1 of 1
 RESOLUTION NO.

AUTHORITY TO ALLOCATE $137,676 FOR THE PURCHASE OF FOUR

VEHICLES FOR THE 911 ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE AND CALL CENTER PILOT
PROGRAMS, AND AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES TO
PURCHASE THESE FOUR VEHICLES

BE IT RESOLVED that the Director of the Department of Health

Services (DHS), or designee, on behalf of the COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO, a
political subdivision of the State of California, be and is hereby authorized to
allocate $137,676 for the one time purchase of four vehicles for the 911
Alternative Response and Call Center Pilot Programs, and to authorize the
Director of the Department of General Services, or designee, to purchase
these four vehicles, and to do and perform everything necessary to carry out
the purpose of this resolution.
On a motion by Supervisor ______________, seconded by Supervisor
______________, the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted by the
Board of Supervisors of the County of Sacramento this 24th day of February
2021, by the following vote, to wit:

AYES: Supervisors,

NOES: Supervisors,

ABSENT: Supervisors,

ABSTAIN: Supervisors,

RECUSAL: Supervisors,
(PER POLITICAL REFORM ACT (§ 18702.5.))

Chair of the Board of Supervisors

of Sacramento County, California

(SEAL)

ATTEST:
Clerk, Board of Supervisors
 Attachment 2

Sacramento County
Mental Health and Quality of Life Response

Community Input on Goals and Design

Purpose

The County of Sacramento engaged community members to gather input on an emergency

response for mental health and quality of life crises, including homelessness. This report
describes community recommendations for a mental health and quality of life response.

Format

Behavioral Health Services provided the following two options for community input:

• Listening Sessions & Follow-up Survey. Two virtual Community Listening

Sessions were held on October 29 and November 4, 2020. A total of 50 County staff
from Health Services and other County departments supported the events. After the
events, a survey was distributed to participants to identify their background and
demographics, as well as collect feedback about their experience of the event.

To be as inclusive as possible, interpretation was available in the following languages

for both events: Arabic, Chinese, Hmong, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese, American
Sign Language (ASL) and Real Time Captioning (RTC). Upon request, interpretation
was available in Tagalog for the November 4th event. Mental Health Counselors were
also available for both events to provide support as needed.

• Community Input Survey. To accommodate people who were unable to attend a

virtual session, an online survey was distributed with the same questions from the
listening session and the background and demographic questions referenced above.

The questions asked during the Listening Sessions and on the Community Input Survey
were:

A. What do you think the goals for a Mental Health and Quality of Life Response should
be?
B. What types of crisis situations would you want this team to respond to?
C. How would you like to access this response?
D. What do people experiencing these types of crises need?
a) What qualities and skills are important for the response team to have?
b) Who should be on the response team?
E. What services should the response team be able to provide?
F. What type of follow up support would you like to receive after the crisis?
To gather more feedback about quality of life responses, a conversation with five homeless
advocates was held on November 20, 2020. Additional details on the Listening Sessions can
be found in Appendix A.
Participants

A total of 568 individuals participated in a Listening Session

event (192 participants) or the Community Input Survey
568
(376 participants). Community members
provided input about
Stakeholder Groups the ideal response to
mental health and
Most participants (84%, 475 people) provided information
about their backgrounds and demographics, including quality of life crises
roughly half of Listening Session Participants (52%,
99 people).

As shown below, over half of participants had direct personal experience with mental health
crises or experience responding to mental health crises as a friend, family member, or
provider. Over one-quarter of participants had experience responding to homelessness as a
friend or family member, and a few people had direct experiences of homelessness (3%) or
worked with people experiencing homelessness as providers or advocates (1%).
Additionally, 22% of participants identified as interested community members without any
direct experience related to mental health or homelessness; 3% of participants were current
or former foster youth; and 2% were veterans.

Participant Backgrounds related to Mental Health and Homelessness

57% Friends or family members of someone who has experienced a mental

health crisis

28% Friends or family members of someone who has experienced

homelessness

25% People who have experienced a mental health crisis

20% Behavioral health (BH) provider or staff

3% People who have experienced homelessness

2% Member of the Sacramento County Mental Health Board or Mental Health

Services Act (MHSA) steering committee

1% Homeless service provider or advocate

In addition to the stakeholder groups listed above, participants identified as working in the
following professions: Education (12%), Ethnic services provider (3%), Faith-based service
provider (6%), Law enforcement (2%), Physical health provider (9%), and Social service
provider (19%).

2
Community Member Demographics

The demographics of participants who completed the demographic survey

are roughly proportional to the County population for American Indian/Alaska Native and
Black/African American, and somewhat overrepresented for White/Caucasian. The
racial/ethnic groups that appear to be somewhat underrepresented among participants
are Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, and multiracial, despite targeted outreach to
community centers representing these racial and ethnic groups. Future outreach efforts will
include a focus on engaging these populations.

Race/Ethnicity Overall Participants County

(n=444) Population1
American Indian/Alaska Native 3% 1%
Asian American, Native Hawaiian
and Pacific Islander 9% 17%
Black/African American 10% 10%
Hispanic/Latinx (of any race)* 10% 24%
Multiracial 3% 8%
White/Caucasian 65% 53%
*Note that County Population total exceeds 100% due to the tabulation of Hispanic/Latinx
of any race.

Over three-quarters of respondents identified as female (77%); 21% identified as male; 1%

identified as transgender; 1% identified as non-binary or genderqueer; 0.4% identified as
intersex, and 0.2% identified as two-spirit.

The primary language of the vast majority of participants was English (97%). Other
languages spoken by 1% or less of participants include Spanish, Armenian, American Sign
Language, German, Hmong, Portuguese, Mandarin, and Mien.

Next Steps

Per Supervisor Kennedy’s guidance to propose alternatives for a Mental Health Response,
the next steps for the County are to analyze proposed models and potential pilot
approaches; assess cost and determine fiscal options; and obtain Board approval for pilot
program by February 2020. A plan will be developed for an advisory board with community
member representation to provide input on the response and help inform its development
and implementation.

3
Mental Health and Quality of Life Response:
Summary of Community Input

The top themes that participants identified for a Mental Health and Quality of Life response
are as follows:

Goals for a Mental Health and Quality of Life Response (p. 5)

1. Safely de-escalate crises.

2. Provide linkages to accessible and affordable mental health resources to
decrease repeat crises and emergency department visits.
3. Offer a response team that does not include law enforcement staffing.
4. Ensure the model is community-based.
5. Decrease criminalization of mental health and homelessness.

Types of Crises (p. 8) Access to the Response Team (p. 9)

• Mental health/psychiatric New 3-digit emergency phone
• Substance use number that is independent from 911
• Domestic violence and sexual assault
“No wrong door approach” to
• People experiencing homelessness access the response team through
• Other crises (e.g., welfare checks, existing service phone numbers (e.g.,
child and vulnerable people 211, 311, and 911)
protection, elder abuse)
Include language interpretation and
ability to access via a website

Response Team (p. 9)

Composition Skills and Expertise
1. Mental health clinicians • De-escalation
2. Peers with lived experience • Trauma-informed
3. Social workers • Background in behavioral health
4. Medical clinicians • Responsive to race, culture,
gender & disability

Crisis Services (p. 13) • Follow Up Support (p. 14)

• Housing & shelter • Ongoing follow up & case
• Mental health assessment & management to connect individuals
services to services and social support
• Food, water & other survival • Transportation & financial assistance
needs • Wraparound services; including
• Medical care & medication family & loved ones in the follow up
planning
• Crisis stabilization & respite
centers • Needs assessments for people
experiencing homelessness

4
Key Findings
For each question, the most commonly selected responses (up to 5 themes per question)
are highlighted and described. Illustrative quotes for the main themes are also presented.

A) Goals for a Mental Health and Quality of Life Response

The top 5 overall goals that participants identified for a Mental Health and Quality of Life
response are as follows:

1. Safely de-escalate crises.

This includes ensuring physical and emotional safety by de-escalating and
stabilizing the crisis with compassion and without the presence of weapons. It
also includes efforts to maintain a safe environment and conduct safety planning.
In addition, some participants mentioned providing resources to family members
and loved ones to help address the needs of the individual in crisis.

2. Provide linkages to accessible and affordable mental health resources to

decrease repeat crises and emergency department visits.
This includes assessing individuals’ needs and the circumstances that led to the
crisis, then supporting them in accessing ongoing, affordable care for mental
health and/or substance use. It includes providing case management services
and following up as needed. Some participants also advised that this should
include free, COVID-19-safe transportation to receive mental health care and
wrap around services.

3. Offer a response team that does not include law enforcement staffing.
Participants described a variety of crises, including some personal experiences,
for which a law enforcement response was not warranted or well-suited. They
suggested an unarmed mental health response team that is separate from law
enforcement to respond to mental health and quality of life crises.

Some people indicated that skilled mental health professionals can de-escalate
aggressive individuals experiencing mental health crises, and others indicated
that law enforcement presence was necessary for violent situations.

4. Ensure the model is community-based.

This refers to staffing the response team with community-based organizations
and connecting individuals to community-based services including mental health
care. Participants described a need to focus on serving individuals in the
community while avoiding hospitalization or incarceration.

Some participants specifically referenced existing community-based organizations

that are currently addressing these crises, particularly “Mental Health First.”
Some participants also recommended that a community advisory board be
established to provide input on the response design and implementation.

5. Decrease criminalization of mental health and homelessness.

This refers to diverting people experiencing mental health and quality of life
crises from police contact, arrest, and incarceration.

5
Participant Quotes for Mental Health and Quality of Life Response
Goals

Goal Participant Quotes

1. Safely “The goals should be to primarily deescalate the situation in a non-
de-escalate violent way. The team responding should show compassion and not
crises be threatening in any way. The person in crisis needs to be
respected.”
“Maximizing care and minimizing threat - definitely no armed
response in the absence of obvious peril to others.”

“Helping the person in crisis deescalate so they’re safe in the

moment, provide no-pressure options for connections to resources
specifically related to their mental health and/or quality of life crisis
that they can access right away or at a future time.”

2. Provide “The goal is to 1. Assure the person in crisis is in a safe

linkages to environment, and 2. The person in crisis (and family or caretakers)
accessible and have clear options for addressing the health crisis that are affordable
affordable and realistic.”
mental health
resources to “Safety plans made in case of potential future crises and/or threat to
decrease repeat others or one’s self, clear explanations as to how to access MH care
crises and and how to navigate paying for it.”
emergency
department “Basic needs being met first, then follow up with dignified mental
visits health care and/or addiction treatment and personalized
advice/counseling to come up with a long-term plan.”

3. Offer a “People respond better to peer support rather than law enforcement.
response team A mobile integrated model with clinicians, peers, and substance use
that does not disorder specialists should be used to avoid emergency room visits
include law or jail.”
enforcement
staffing “Any incident where there has not been a report of violence, for
example, a domestic disturbance call from a neighbor or family
member where there's only a report of raised voices but not
violence, should get a community services response, not an armed
response from police. Police have too much on their plates already -
they're playing family counselor, mental health therapist, and nurse
all at the same time. Saving armed responses for potentially violent
(where credible specific and direct threats of violence have been
made) or violent situations would be advisable.”

“As someone who works in mental healthcare, I am often confronted

by aggressive, occasionally violent individuals experiencing a mental
health crisis and I am trained how to respond without further
escalating the situation or pulling a gun. This is what we need in the
community.”

6
Goal Participant Quotes
4. Ensure the “Connect with community supports to help me navigate after the
model is immediate crisis has passed.”
community-
based “Need to be from the community and familiar with the community.
Continue services and invest in programs like Mental Health First,
Street Team EMS doctor.”

“Coordinating with agencies who already have a relationship with

community (i.e., La Family, Hmong) members in a joint response to
resolve the crisis.”

“Implement a community advisory board with impacted people to

inform the design and implementation of an alternative, non-law
enforcement response for mental health and homeless needs.”

5. Decrease “Eliminate situations where people with mental health crises are
criminalization being put in County Jail-that is not going to help. First point of
of mental health contact should be with MH professional who can help take you to the
and right place.”
homelessness
“It’s important to not criminalize mental health issues.”

“Respect and kindness from a responder with primary expertise in

mental health; not a first responder with primary expertise in
criminal activity.”

“Goal #1: Make sure we have resources through this line that have
a response team that will treat anyone going through a mental
health crisis with respect and care and get them the resources they
need (instead of going to incarceration).”

Personal Stories

Several participants shared personal stories that illustrate the key themes, as demonstrated
by the following excerpts:

“I am a Family Medicine physician living and working in Sacramento. I strongly support

having an alternative response to calling 911 for people who are experiencing a mental
health crisis. As a physician, I have seen countless times when calls to the police or to
security escalate a tense situation rather than deescalating. Simply seeing officers in
uniform trigger patients and it becomes much more difficult to provide the care that they
need. Every time I am called about an agitated patient, I request the police/security to stay
outside of the room and out of view so that I can talk with the patient in a calm
environment without fear. I have not been afraid of harm to myself and if I or another
health care provider is able to talk with the patient, we are often able to deescalate. It is
much harder to deescalate when the police/security are present and creates more safety
concerns for all parties involved.”

7
 Personal Stories (continued)

“…When I was going through an episode I was scared, and the cops scared me more. I was
aggressive because I was scared.”

“Recently, a patient of mine was concerned that their loved one has not slept in 5 days and
they were saying things that didn’t make sense. This person seemed to be hearing and
seeing things that nobody else did. The family member had tried calling the person’s
primary care doctor but there were no available appointments, and they are becoming
increasingly worried that their loved one would hurt themselves or get worse. So they call
911, the police show up, when the person wouldn’t engage with them, the police attempt
to arrest this person and when this person resists arrest, they had to restrain him which
ultimately lead to him breaking his arm and being put in county jail with a broken arm.

In my opinion: what this person needed was someone to listen with undivided attention to
understand where they were mentally and their families concerns. Then a plan needed to
be developed as to how to get this person who was clearly in a mental health crisis into
medical care. The family would have benefited from reflective listening in nonjudgmental
way, take time to understand the root of the crisis and affirm the complex factors that
have played into getting this person where they are.

When this person resisted arrest, as to be expected, using techniques to deescalate if

someone is in crisis or making threats would have been helpful. You want someone who
understands resources available and can explain how to access options as well as refer you
to a higher of level care when needed.”

B) Types of Crises to which the Team Should Respond

The majority of participants indicated the response team should ideally respond to mental
health, psychiatric, and substance use crises. Many people also noted it would be
helpful for the response team to address situations involving domestic violence and
sexual assault, people experiencing homelessness, and other types of crises
including welfare checks, child protection, vulnerable people protection, and elder abuse.

As one respondent described:

“Respond to suicidal threats, odd behaviors, delusions, hallucinations, or angry

behavior that may make community members feel uncomfortable. Families
calling about family members who are not eating, self-isolating, not taking care
of themselves; elder abuse.

Do not think they should respond to people with weapons or domestic violence
due to safety concerns. Perhaps give people who call for domestic violence the
option of law enforcement or social worker coming out to support.”

8
C) Access to the Response Team

Most participants expressed a need for a new 3-digit emergency phone number
that is independent from 911 to dispatch the mental health and quality of life
response. Some participants also noted that it would be helpful to also utilize a “no
wrong door approach,” so people are able to access a mental health and quality of
life response team through existing service phone numbers such as 211, 311, and
911.

Some participants advised that the access line should include language interpretation.
Several participants noted that they would like access via a website, and that it would be
helpful to publicize the new number through a communications campaign.

Quotes that illustrate these key themes include:

“Definitely explore alternatives to 911 that is a dedicated 3-digit number; online

data entry/intake form available that may be able to be addressed the next day
& needs to be a commitment to respond within 24-48 hours vs the community
member needing immediate help.”

“An alternate phone number for mental health INSTEAD OF 911 is of vital
importance. Law enforcement has their hands full with criminal calls with the
mental health element. Lessen their burden with an alternative phone number!”

“Those in crisis need to know that they can get better, they will get better,
there are resources in the community that can help and help ASAP. An
UNARMED response team available 24/7 (as opposed to the current team that
is only available during business hours) that has a licensed mental health
professional AND a social worker (therapist are not trained to be a community
navigator).”

“Independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give

immediate and low barrier access to services. The #1 priority reflected in
People’s Budget survey data is community-based mental health support. This
requires an independent emergency phone number and 24/7 dispatch system
so communities can feel safe to call it during crisis, and not fear potential
interaction with law enforcement.”

D) Mental Health and Quality of Life Response Team

Response Team Composition

The majority of participants recommended the following composition for a multi-
disciplinary response team:

1. Mental health clinicians with psychiatric expertise to assess mental health, access
mental health records, to connect individuals to providers within the system of care.
2. Peers with lived experience who can build rapport and support the individual
experiencing crises.

9
 3. Social workers who are knowledgeable about community resources and can
conduct warm hand-offs, case management, and support access to benefits and
housing.
4. Medical clinicians who can conduct medical assessments as well as provide
emergency psychiatric medications with a doctor’s order. Some participants noted a
clinical health background helps address physical health issues that may accompany
or underlie mental health crises.

Response Team
Role Participant Quote
1. Mental health “Someone who is qualified to interview or have a conversation with
clinicians the person to ‘listen’ and ‘hear’ them. Only a qualified therapist/
counselor/psychiatrist can really understand what a person in
distress is trying to communicate or what type of mental health
issue is causing adverse behavior.”

“…clinical skills and access to [mental health records] to be able to

see if part of the system – can reach out to outpatient provider if
linked and quickly connect to help avoid having to send to the
emergency rooms. Able to connect to services in the community.
Clinically, be able to know what we’re looking at – assess what’s
happening (psychosis, depression, etc). Ability to demonstrate
empathy and engagement.”

“Trained mental health professionals and social workers are able to

recognize how a person is behaving and are more skilled in judging
if someone is likely to hurt themselves or others, or if they just need
resources, care, or advice in their time of crisis.”

2. Peers “In this team there needs to be some peer support and lived
experience. Need to be trained and attuned to the system they are
responding to and the dynamics of the family system and
community system.”

“It’s incredibly important that the people who show up on these

calls, look like normal people and talk like normal people. Having
that peer support person with lived experience is important.”

“Increase role of peers and community health workers specifically

communities that are underrepresented, those impacted by socio-
economic status, and racial and cultural stressors, and systemic
oppression and interpersonal violence. Those with these experiences
can take the lead as peers and community workers to deliver these
services in a way that meets people where they are at.”

3. Social worker “Social workers who know the community’s resources well and are
not going to give them a piece of paper.”

“They need social workers! They need people that are able to
understand their behavior and not respond with deadly force when
it’s unnecessary. They need people trained to LISTEN FIRST. They
need people flush with knowledge of local community agencies to

10
 Response Team
Role Participant Quote
3. Social worker assist them with mental health care, housing needs, medical
(ctd.) problems, financial resources such as assistance with SSI, etc.”

4.Medical “Able to have live remote access to a physician in case

providers pharmaceutical intervention is needed.”

“They need trained mental health professionals; EMS personnel who

can assess for and administer field care for things like substance
overdose; and non-triggering supportive administrative staff (e.g.,
those who can get them access to needed services).”

Response Team Skills and Expertise

Participants most commonly cited the following skills and expertise as important for the
response team to possess:

1. De-escalation. This refers to the ability to keep people calm and safe without the
use of force.

2. Trauma-informed. Participants described this as being compassionate, listening

without judgment, validating feelings, and respecting individual’s choice and control.
This skill helps to stabilize the crisis situation while avoiding potential triggers and
minimizing additional trauma. Some people also mentioned the need to be aware of
different types of trauma (e.g., complex, historical, and intergenerational traumas)
and how they affect mental health crises.

3. Background in behavioral health. This refers to knowledge, experience, and

training in mental health and substance use to recognize symptoms, assess their
severity, and provide the appropriate response.

4. Responsive to race, culture, gender and disability. This includes multicultural

and multilingual response teams that understand implicit bias and are able to
respond to specific needs related to race, culture, and gender with humility. Some
participants also described the importance of ensuring the response team is
equipped to identify and meet the needs of specific populations, including people
with disabilities (e.g., intellectual and developmental disabilities), youth, and older
adults.

Skill/Expertise Participant Quote

1. De-escalation “The response team should be made of professionals who are
trained and skilled in providing de-escalation tactics, calming the
situation, and providing supportive mental assistance. This first
step may be the difference between life and death, and great care,
at any expense, is worthwhile to get it right the first time. After
that, the appropriate post-crisis services can be provided.”

“They probably want to know that someone cares about them and
that they aren't only perceived as a threat. They need someone
who will help them feel safe and be able to get to a safe place.”

11
Skill/Expertise Participant Quote

1. De-escalation “Someone who is calm, approachable, knowledgeable about MH

(ctd.) crises and empathetic. I worked in one of the most intensive
outpatient settings in Sac County and deescalated everything under
the sun with no harm done. I am a LCSW.”

2. Trauma- “I really think that the most important skill is being nonjudgmental.
informed I’m here to listen. I’m still going to treat you with some respect and
dignity. Allow the person time to communicate their needs and
wants during the crisis.”

“Training that includes being trauma-informed […] maintaining a

holistic approach to offering a person culturally sensitive emotional,
mental and physical safety with dignity, compassion, care and
choice that reflects their path toward recovery. This can mean a
faster, more complete recovery, especially with early intervention.”

“People in these situations are often met with judgement and

treated less humanely than other members of our community.
Responders should have trauma training as well to avoid re-
traumatizing people while attempting to provide assistance.”

“Trauma informed response team, and one that understands the

unique needs of the population. Efforts made to reduce law
enforcement involvement to reduce fear of punishment and
additional triggers that may escalate the situation.”

3.Background in “They need expertise and compassion - someone level-headed and

Behavioral familiar with common symptoms of mental distress with knowledge
Health of how to best respond. Likely medical professionals / mental health
experts.”

“Need people trained in mental health, addiction, and compounded

trauma response. Persons on a crisis team need to be aware of
Spectrum of Intervention for Mental Health Problems to measure
and assess how best to assist with dual diagnosis and co-
morbidities.”

4.Responsive to “Having folks from diverse backgrounds are important. Race,

race, culture, gender, sexuality, languages.”
gender and
disability “Our county is large and has large cultural population groups –
make sure we are responding to trauma and cultural and linguistic
needs of different populations and subpopulations.”

“People responding […] who understand racial bias deeply and have
done their own work, and who work to make a genuine connection
with the individual.”

12
 E) Crisis Services

The most frequently described services that participants indicated the

response team should be able to provide are:

1. Housing and shelter suitable to individual’s needs and utilizing a housing first
approach.
2. Mental health assessment/evaluation and services that individuals may be
referred to after an evaluation. Some people described the importance of
transportation assistance and peer accompaniment to mental health and
substance use treatment services.
3. Food, water, and other survival needs. This includes providing a meal, water,
and other items needed for survival to respond to an individual experiencing
mental health and/or quality of life crises.
4. Medical care and medication. This includes immediate medical services for
urgent needs, connection to ongoing physical health care, and assistance
accessing medication.
5. Crisis stabilization and respite centers. This includes 24/7 drop-in centers
where people can access mental health care and safety while intoxicated or under
the influence of substances.

Service Participant Quote

1. Housing and “Homeless: Great if there was availability to help homeless
shelter individuals resources they need to get them housed (i.e., access to
shelters, temporary housing). Access to immediate resources”

“Meet people where they’re at with relevant and safe housing and
services. They need to be non-punitive and without coercion to be
successful.”

“We need more affordable housing, employment training programs,

and robust mental health and substance abuse programs. The lack
of inventory of housing and services available is what leads to the
issues needing alternatives to calls to 911.”

“The obvious answer is a home. In the event of a crises they need

medical attention, social work, a safe place to store belongings and
shelter for pets. When people living on the streets need medical
attention, they have to worry about what will happen to their
belongings.”

2. Mental health “Immediate access to counseling and wellness services.”

assessment and
services “Consistent availability of support services, i.e., regular counseling
available weekly to address mental health factor and reduce the
likelihood returning to crisis functioning (once a month does not cut
it, nor does a 15-minute check in), Psychiatric assessment of mental
health/meds assessment. Assessment of life issues contributing to
the crisis instability (inconsistent availability of housing, food, social
support system, etc.).”

13
Service Participant Quote
3. Food, water, “Provide food, water, on the spot health care, and an assessment of
and other their support system, social contacts. Connect with those people and
survival needs work with them for support, survival, coupons to fast food, etc.”

“Give people a bottle of water, a sandwich. The first moments will

dictate how the situation will go.”

“For me, as an outreach worker, it’s really important to have

concrete things to offer people (car ride, etc) and to have flexibility.”

“Many do not believe they are mentally ill, so we need to offer other
support services like shelter and food or money to bring them along
to a place of trust where they will accept medication and therapy
and coaching. Contact family members or friends if possible.”

4. Medical care “See if they have any urgent medical issues or have alcohol or other
and medication drug issues that need attention.”

“I don’t think every mobile team would need a health professional,

but there should be one to access when needed. That way people
wouldn’t need to go the ED for medical clearance [before accessing
the Mental Health Treatment Center].”

5. Crisis “A safe place to go like local ‘urgent care clinics’ that only specialize
stabilization and in behavioral health issues that are easily accessible when you have
respite centers an immediate need for this type of help and where people that are
trained in behavioral health can see patients to more easily follow up
with after a crisis. Hopefully having better support would prevent
some of the crisis situations. I have just in the last 36 hours taken
my husband to a local hospital for his 2nd 5150. There are no beds
available. He is now in crisis sitting in the busy emergency room
where it is noisy and a lot of people coming and going. Literally the
last place I want to take my already physically health compromised
husband with an added mental health crisis needs during a
pandemic to get treatment, i.e., drugs, to help control his mania. We
sat in the ER waiting room from 10 PM to 4 AM until there was even
a bed available in the ER and then other than taking his blood
pressure, no one came to see him until another 6+ hours later. We
can do better for all health issues, not just behavioral health issues.”

F) Follow Up Support After the Crisis

The majority of participants indicated that ongoing follow up and case management
is needed to ensure individuals are connected to support networks and services
and to prevent mental health and quality of life crises from reoccurring. Many
participants also recommended providing transportation and financial assistance
to help individuals access needed services. Other specific types of follow up that
participants described included support rebuilding social support systems and
including family and loved ones in the follow up plan; wraparound services; needs
assessments for people experiencing homelessness; and job support services.

14
Quotes that illustrate these key themes include:

“Safe, rapid response with comprehensive follow-up care and case management
to prevent future crises.”

“Given the limited availability of housing/program openings, consistent case

management is needed for providers to stay in touch with individuals and help
them get through the process, such as applying for social security and Medi-
Cal, etc.”

“Follow up should include mental health service coordinator and someone who
facilitates the bridge between short term and long term care (options for
housing, access to rehab, job services – whatever that definition of stability is
to them). Mindfulness and coping has everything to do with long-term care.”

“Help with treatment of ongoing medical and mental health issues; help with
integrating into the community, staying housed, job training, transportation,
healthy food, help with obtaining documents, bank accounts, child care-
rebuilding the support structure that enables one to successfully navigate life.”

“Mental health resources must remain in place indefinitely; these are often
conditions that may require a lifetime of treatment and access to medication.
Without ongoing support individuals will be unsuccessful in their recovery.”

“Crisis is over but the underlying reasons are still there. A follow up in person
or by phone directing the individuals and family members involved to
community resources that can help to alleviate the root causes of their mental
health incident, such as financial assistance, healthcare access, medication
management, employment aid, counseling services, childcare services, and
outpatient services.”

“This is the reason for case management: someone to check back in. People
easily slip back into isolation and need resources. Asking them what type of
support they need or connections they want in the community.”

“Assistance getting to pharmacy to get meds, getting to appt, ability to get to

Urgent care if needed. Pts need to feel they have options to get the resources
they need, they often feel 'alone' to figure out the next steps of stability after
short hospital intervention”

“Feeling a sense of being connected to the process-even a card given to the

person who was in crisis or an email, text message, letter in the mail. Follow up
communication to let people know that they were seen and it is important that
their issues are heard and hopefully solved. The person can choose the level of
follow up (are you good or do you want us to continue to reach out a few days
later, then a week to 14 days later, then a month later?) so they do not feel like
they have been forgotten.”

15
Appendix A: Community Listening Sessions and
Input Survey
The Listening Sessions events consisted of a welcome and overview by Jenine Spotnitz, a
Program Planner from the Department of Health Services; introductory framing by Bruce
Wagstaff, the Deputy County Executive for Social Services, and Dr. Ryan Quist, the Director
of Behavioral Health; followed by breakout group discussions with community members
(see page 1 for the questions discussed during the breakout groups).

Process Measures October 29, 2020 November 4, 2020 TOTAL

Event Event

Number of 80 112 192

participants
Number of staff 30 38 50
Number of breakout 12 22 34
groups

The Listening Sessions and Community Input Survey were publicized via the Behavioral
Health website, County’s social media accounts (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, NextDoor), Public
Health Twitter, Countywide Event Calendar, Behavioral Health website, Continuum of Care
listserv, MHSA listserv, Cultural Competence Committee and Supporting Community
Connections mailing lists.

1
Be Healthy Sacramento. 2020 Demographics.
http://www.behealthysacramento.org/index.php?module=DemographicData&controller=ind
ex&action=index

16
Alternatives to 911 for Mental
Health and Quality of Life

Department of Health Services
24 February 2021
 Jim Hunt, Acting Director
Ryan Quist, PhD, Behavioral Health Director
 Findings from Community 
Listening Sessions & Survey

2 February 2021 Sacramento County Department of Health Services – Alt to 911

Goals for a Mental Health and Quality of Life Response

• Safely de-escalate crises
• Provide linkages to accessible and affordable mental 
health resources to decrease repeat crises and 
emergency department visits
• Offer a response team that does not include law 
enforcement staffing
• Ensure the model is community-based
• Decrease criminalization of mental health and 
homelessness
Participant quote: “Respect and kindness from a responder with 
primary expertise in mental health; not a first responder with 
primary expertise in criminal activity.” 
3 February 2021 Sacramento County Department of Health Services – Alt to 911
 Ideas for the Types of Crises the
Response Should Address
• Mental health/psychiatric
• Substance use
• Domestic violence and sexual assault 
• People experiencing homelessness 
• Other situations (Welfare checks, child 
and vulnerable people protection, elder 
abuse) 

4 February 2021 Sacramento County Department of Health Services – Alt to 911

 Requested Access to the
Response Team
• New 3-digit emergency phone number that is 
independent from 911 to dispatch the mental 
health response
• “No wrong door approach” to access the 
response team through existing service phone 
numbers (e.g., 211, 311, and 911) 
• Include language interpretation and ability to 
access via a website 

5 February 2021 Sacramento County Department of Health Services- Alt to 911

 Suggested Response
Team Composition
• Mental health clinicians 
• Peers with lived experience 
• Social workers 
• Medical clinicians 
Participant quote: “It’s incredibly important that the people who 
show up on these calls, look like normal people and talk like 
normal people. Having that peer support person with lived 
experience is important.” 

6 February 2021 Sacramento County Department of Health Services – Alt to 911

 Requested Response Team
Skills & Expertise
• De-escalation
• Trauma-informed 
• Background in behavioral health 
• Responsive to race, culture, gender & 
disability 
Participant quote: “Someone who is calm, approachable, 
knowledgeable about MH crises and empathetic. I worked in one 
of the most intensive outpatient settings in Sac County and 
deescalated everything under the sun with no harm done.”
7 February 2021 Sacramento County Department of Health Services – Alt to 911
 Requested Crisis Services

• Housing & shelter 
• Mental health assessment & services 
• Food, water & other survival needs 
• Medical care & medication 
• Crisis stabilization & respite centers 
Participant quote: “We need more affordable housing, 
employment training programs, and robust mental health and 
substance abuse programs. The lack of inventory of housing 
and services available is what leads to the issues needing 
alternatives to calls to 911.” 
8 February 2021 Sacramento County Department of Health Services – Alt to 911
 Suggested Follow Up Support
• Ongoing follow up & case management 
to connect individuals to services and 
social support 
• Transportation & financial assistance 
• Wraparound services; including family & 
loved ones in the follow up planning 
• Needs assessments for people 
experiencing homelessness 

9 February 2021 Sacramento County Department of Health Services – Alt to 911

Mental Health / Homeless 911 Calls
to County Sheriff’s Office
Calls and Arrests 2019  2020
Total Calls for Service: 450,087 390,174
Mental Health-related 
Calls: 2,798 2,659 
Arrests: 17 15
Homeless-related
Calls: 18,759  17,086 
Arrests: 1,285 1,576

Sheriff’s Office Footnote:
• Numbers are estimates, based on calls flagged as “mental health” or “homeless” related.
• 911 non-emergency calls may not contain enough information to initially be flagged as 
these types of calls.
• Unless re-classified by the responding officer(s) during the clearance of a call, this data is 
not collected.  A number of reasons could contribute to an officer not reclassifying the call.

February 2021 10
 Alternative Response
Proposal

11 February 2021 Sacramento County Department of Health Services – Alt to 911

 Pilot Project Call Center and Mental
Health Response Team Proposal
– Test the concept, accumulate data, assess 
operating issues and measure outcomes.
– Collaborate with cities/law enforcement 
jurisdictions
– Coordinate with 211, 311 and 911 systems
(No wrong door)
– Use what is learned in the Pilot Program to 
guide our efforts in developing a fully 
operational 24 hour/7 days a week program 
12 February 2021 Sacramento County Department of Health Services – Alt to 911
 Pilot Project Call Center and Mental
Health Response Team Proposal
– Crisis intervention and de-escalation
– Assess needs and risks
– Create safety plans, including identifying and 
leveraging individual strengths and natural 
supports
– Coordinate with existing healthcare providers
– Link consumers to ongoing services: mental 
health, substance use, housing, food, etc.

13 February 2021 Sacramento County Department of Health Services – Alt to 911

 Pilot Project Call Center and Mental
Health Response Team Proposal

• Four two-person field response teams
• Countywide coverage
• Full year cost of $1,650,901
• Operational by July 1, 2021  
• Operate during peak call-for-service times, 
Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 
6:00 p.m.

14 February 2021 Sacramento County Department of Health Services- Alt to 911

 Pilot Project Call Center and Mental
Health Response Team Proposal

55.6% of calls occurred between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

15 February 2021 Sacramento County Department of Health Services- Alt to 911

 Proposed Pilot Call Center

– Call Center staffed by five senior mental 
health counselors
– A separate, non-law enforcement phone 
number
– Marketing new program and phone 
number 

16 February 2021 Sacramento County Department of Health Services – Alt to 911

 • 211 = Community Link
• 311 = Local Government Service Information
• 411 = Directory Assistance
• 511 = CalTrans Information 
• 611 = Phone assistance
• 711 = Telecommunication Relay Service
• 811 = Call Before You Dig 
• 911 = Emergency
17 February 2021 Sacramento County Department of Health Services – Alt to 911
 Proposed Pilot Call Center

• Staffed by mental health professionals who 
would:
– Triage consumers’ level of need
– Review electronic behavioral health 
records
– Conduct mental health assessments to 
determine the appropriate response

18 February 2021 Sacramento County Department of Health Services – Alt to 911

 Proposed Pilot Project Call Center
Telephonic Services include: 
– Providing crisis intervention and de-escalation 
services over the phone
– Connecting current clients to their existing 
behavioral health service providers
– Dispatching a Mental Health Response Team
– Referring clients to the Mental Health Urgent Care 
Clinic, Crisis Center Respite, and ongoing mental 
health, homeless and substance use services 

19 February 2021 Sacramento County Department of Health Services – Alt to 911

 Proposed Mental Health
Pilot Project Response Teams
• Four Mental Health Response Teams pairing a Sr. Mental 
Health Counselor with a Sr. Behavioral Health Peer Specialist
• Civilian vehicles, no uniforms, badges nor weapons
• Functions would include: 
– In-person crisis intervention and de-escalation
– Assess needs and risks
– Create safety plans
– Link to services
– Transportation to service provider (voluntary only)
– Accessing Mobile Crisis Support Teams, if necessary
– A 911 response as a last resort
20 February 2021 Sacramento County Department of Health Services – Alt to 911
Possible Future Full Implementation Plan
• Use what is learned in the Pilot Program to 
develop a 24/7 full implementation proposal.
• Adjust the number of Call Center staff and Mental 
Health Response Teams based on call volume and 
service delivery requirements.
• Functions and outcomes would likely be the same, 
expanded to 24/7 coverage countywide.
• Going from one to three eight hour shifts per 
weekday and adding weekend coverage would 
require significantly more staff. 

21 February 2021 Sacramento County Department of Health Services – Alt to 911

 Questions?

22 February 2021 Sacramento County Department of Health Services – Alt to 911

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 001

From: Erin Backenstow Marcin

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: "Approve Proposed Pilot Approach For A 911 Alternative Response And Call Center Program".
Date: Sunday, February 21, 2021 10:26:45 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

I support this project but only if it is funded w/ 15 million.

I am a concerned citizen and Kaiser physician.

Erin Backenstow Marcin

[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95864

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 002

From: Lily Gibbons

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 2/22/21 BoS Meeting Public Comment
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 12:20:11 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Board of Supervisors,

I am making this public comment in order to add my voice to the resounding chorus from our
community demanding well funded alternatives to 911. 

We are asking that $15 million be invested in this project. In order to truly give these
programs a fair chance at success, we need to support them with appropriate funding. It is
critical that funds be reallocated from the consistently bloated law enforcement budget and
invested in these community services. Sheriff Jones has stated publicly that he has no desire
for the police to handle calls regarding mental health and homelessness, and the results
indicate that law enforcement is not the appropriate entity to respond to these issues. Allow
these community programs to reduce the burden on the police department by taking over these
services, and support them in doing so by reallocating the budget for responding to these calls
from law enforcement to these new programs.

Additionally, there must be a community advisory board to determine the structure and
implementation of these services. The members of this board must be representative of the
population most impacted by these services. This means that currently and formerly homeless
individuals, as well as those who have had to navigate mental health services, should be the
people with the most influence over how these programs are run.

Again, these alternatives to 911 must be completely disconnected from law enforcement. If we
create a program that still involves police officers responding to these calls, then we have not
addressed the issue. Please remember that this community demand for emergency response
services that do not involve the police is not isolated or out of the blue. These calls for change
are coming in the context of a decades-long national reckoning with the harm done by law
enforcement that disproportionately affects people of color and those with mental health
issues. There is more support than ever, across the country and in our community, for
shrinking the scope and corresponding funds of law enforcement agencies, and investing that
support in programs that actually enrich people's lives. Community care prevents harm, while
carceral solutions only perpetuate it.

Thank you for addressing this issue in our community.

Lily Gibbons
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 003

From: Dr. Corrine McIntosh Sako

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 2/24/21 BOS meeting re: 911 alternatives for Mental Health Emergencies
Date: Saturday, February 20, 2021 8:10:50 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Dear Board of Supervisors,

My name is Dr. Corrine McIntosh Sako. I am a licensed clinical psychologist & I have been
providing mental health services to Sacramento County residents for the past 15 years. I am
also a resident of District 2, represented by Supervisor Kennedy. $1.5million was recently
allocated to fund 911 alternatives for mental health crises. I am writing in strong support of
significantly increasing the $1.5 million amount for the Alternatives to Law Enforcement
proposal to ensure the needs of the entire county are met.

Deep cuts to local mental health services & a lack of affordable treatment options for those
struggling with mental illness & substance abuse means the public is increasingly turning to
local police for help with situations that often involve no criminal activity. Sacramento County
needs proactive, pre-emptive, and collaborative interventions to address mental health issues
that escalate to critical levels. 5-20% of all US police incidents involve a person with mental
illness. Although police have had training on how to deescalate confrontations with people with
mental illness, it is not reasonable to expect a patrol officer to make a meaningful clinical
assessment of a patient in the field. Law enforcement tends to treat a person experiencing a
mental health crisis as an armed &/or non-compliant suspect and excessive force results. In
fact, 1 in every 4 police killings is of a person with mental illness. This means that people with
mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed by the police than other people.

For those with mental illness who are detained and taken to jail, 83% don’t have access to the
treatments they need. Because they come straight from police custody - again, from the
custody of individuals who are not trained to make meaningful clinical assessments of patients
in the field - they are given only limited screening & inconsistent mental health care. People
are often given medication while in jail &, at best, a bottle of pills & a referral when they are
released - leading to a revolving door of arrests & short-term incarceration with no real
improvement in the person’s underlying mental health.

The Sheriff’s Department is the largest item that the Board has discretionary powers over. In
the 2019-2020 budget, 37% went to the Sheriff’s and the next largest category was Probation,
which got 9%. There is $4million dollars that goes unspent by the Sheriff’s Office that can be
used to fund a sustainable 24/7 program where mental health professionals respond to mental
health emergencies without police interference. Trained & unarmed civilian responders on the
frontlines post the least threat to people experiencing mental illness because they are trained
to be effective while being the least confrontational, so as to not escalate the situation.

It’s important to note that a similar program in Eugene, Oregon called Crisis Assistance
Helping Out On The Streets (CAHOOTS) showed that it has the potential to save taxpayers
$8.5million dollars by effectively handling mental health emergency situations in a non-
punities, life-affirming way.

It is imperative that we have community-led 911 alternatives to mental health emergencies,

and it's also imperative that we do not take funds from the health department or the general
fund. By using the sheriff surplus, we have $5.5 million to set this program up to be a
sustainable 24/7 operation.

Thank you for your consideration,

Dr. Corrine McIntosh Sako, PsyD, LMFT

Dr. Corrine McIntosh Sako

[email protected]

Sacramento , California 95831

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 004

From: Sam Leonard

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 200 million tax dollars
Date: Sunday, February 21, 2021 2:21:55 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

To whom it may concern,

It’s come to my attention that you are considering spending 200 million in tax payer dollars to
expand the jails? 

Please consider putting that money towards preventative measures that would keep people out
of trouble and out of jail in the first place. It would cost immeasurably less than 200 million
and that excess money can be used for things like public education which help to make
Sacramento the wonderful city it is. I’d urge you not to continue to spend money on
incarceration without attempting to address the issue. This lack of forethought is the only
reason you’re in the position where you’d consider expanding the jails in the first place.

Thank you for your time,

Best,

Sam Leonard 
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 005

From: Janice Setser

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 911 Alternative
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 2:49:44 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

I support the demand for a $15 million investment into a 911-alternative. This is an obvious
need, long overdue. I further support the diversion of these funds from the Sheriff's
Department budget.

Thank you for choosing the best for the population of vulnerable and marginalized people in
the community.

Janice

Janice Setser
[email protected]

Stockton, California 95207

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 006

From: Lauren Low

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 911 Alternatives and County Jail Expansion
Date: Sunday, February 21, 2021 4:38:59 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

I want to urge the board of supervisors to divest from incarceration and policing, instead using
more effective methods of community-based care to meet the mental health and safety needs
of our community. I fully support the People's Budget Sacramento demands and call upon to
board to robustly invest in community alternatives to 911.

Additionally, I do not support the main jail expansion. It does not meet the consent decree and
takes resources away from community care towards a failing system of incarceration.

Lauren Low
[email protected]

Davis, California 95616

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 007

From: Chelsea Renneke

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 911 Alternatives are the right thing for our community
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 11:39:35 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Hello, my name is Chelsea Renneke and I live in Supervisor Serena’s district. I trust that you
have access to the People’s Budget Sacramento’s demands regarding adequate funding of
Sac County 911 Alternatives. I am writing to voice my full support of these demands.

Often, when it comes to great change, the change is avoided largely due to fear regarding the
period of adjustment, or fear to do things differently than they’ve ever been done. The time to
overcome these fears and do what is right is NOW. There is ever-growing public demand, both
here in Sacramento and across the nation, to divert funding from bloated police budgets and
use that money in ways that we all KNOW will be healthier, safer, and more helpful for our
community. As public servants, it is your job to do what is best for the PUBLIC—not for the
police. We have far too many examples of the sometimes fatal danger of sending law
enforcement to calls for which they are not properly trained, or for which their presence simply
does more harm than help. Please put your support behind 911 alternatives, funding them
robustly so that they might actually succeed in the ways so many in the community already
know they will.

Thank you for your service to Sacramento.

Chelsea Renneke
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95811

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 008

From: Olivia Alexander

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 911 Alternatives; Item #4
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 12:04:00 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Board,

I am writing to comment on Item #4 for the meeting on Wednesday, Feb 24th and 2:30 pm.

The people of Sacramento are demanding that you fund the proposed approach for a 911
Alternative Response and Call Center program. The Board must fund this program in order for
it to succeed. We demand $15 million to ensure 24/7 services. This must be separate from law
enforcement. 

Personally, just the other day I had an incident where I was in need of help, but didn't have
anyone to call. I was too afraid to call the police for my own and for the perpetrator's safety
(rightfully so), and there aren't any alternatives in Sacramento. I needed a resource to help me
and there was none.

Please listen to the community and direct funding to 911 Alternatives. Everyone would
benefit.

Thanks,
Olivia
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 009

From: Tracy Kenny

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Agenda Item 4, 2/24/21 Meeting
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 11:39:50 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Members of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors:

I am writing in support of the proposed 311 pilot program for the county, and to urge you to consider
expanding the funding level to allow this service to operate 24/7. I appreciate that the goal of piloting the
program is to gauge the need and benefits of this program, but given that similar efforts have shown great
benefit in other jurisdictions, I think that there is sufficient evidence to staff it at some level around the
clock, or at a minimum from 8:00 am to midnight to cover the waking hours in which such issues might
arise. Given that the county is likely to receive additional funding from the latest round of COVID relief, it
seems an excellent time to take a bolder approach on this issue of community wide concern and to begin
improving community perceptions of the public safety services offered by the county while expanding their
impact on overall well being.

Thank you for your consideration,

Tracy Kenny
District 1 Resident
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 010

From: Dena Linea

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Alternative responses to 911 calls
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 12:16:09 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

As a resident of Sacramento County and a former public defender, I have serious concerns
about how mental health 911 calls and similar calls are processed. I have seen first hand the
destruction caused by a law enforcement response to mental health emergencies.  We cannot
continue a business as usual response and care for our most vulnerable residents.

I am requesting that we fully fund the “Approve Proposed Pilot Approach For A 911
Alternative Response And Call Center Program”

This program needs be funded to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure 24/7 services.
The Board of Supervisors should divert these funds from the bloated Sheriff’s Department
budget. The Sheriff receives the lion’s share of our public dollars and yet reports an average of
$4 million in unspent dollars per year. The point of this program is to fund services that
Sheriff Jones has publicly stated he has no interest in providing, such as responding to mental
health or homeless needs. During budget hearings, Sheriff Jones said he wants to “get out of
the business” of taking these calls, and the Department is already not meeting the required
response times. While not everyone supports the defunding of the police, the majority of the
community members supports higher investments in mental health and social services and a
decline in the Sheriff’s Department. Law enforcement was never designed to be a social
service provider.

A community advisory board with impacted people to inform the design and implementation
of alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health and homeless needs. The
County can look to the Denver STAR community board for an example, which includes
Black, Latinx, and Muslim representatives and of course, people with disabilities. Amid the
economic, social, and health crisis that we are experiencing, It is even more important for our
Board Members to listen to the Sacramento residents. 

Independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give immediate and low
barrier access to services. The #1 priority reflected in People’s Budget survey data is
community-based mental health support. This requires an independent emergency phone
number and 24/7 dispatch system so communities can feel safe to call it during crisis, and not
fear potential interaction with law enforcement. 

Luckily here in Sacramento we already have an established program following this model,
MH First. The County should fund MH First as a contracted advisor to the development of
City/County models. Behavioral Health has held two listening sessions so far with over 100
attendees and creative, community-based ideas that consistently highlighted the need for
models like MH First and Community Support Teams, not Mobile Crisis Support Teams that
are dominated by law enforcement. Why is the County Executive so focused on Mobile Crisis
Support Teams, which involve law enforcement? If you have a toothache, are you going to ask
a cardiologist to fix it? We have been asking cops to fix mental health crises for far too long.
The results are a huge waste of money, over-incarceration, and even preventable death at the
hands of law enforcement.  
We demand that this effort not be removed from its context, which is a national call for
reinvestment of law enforcement dollars into our communities. Black, indigenous and other
people of color, and people with disabilities, are disproportionately harmed and killed by law
enforcement. It is estimated that 50-75% of people killed by police annually in the US have a
mental illness. We need real alternatives rooted in health equity and racial justice to repair the
harm that’s been done and do better for future generations.

Thank you, 

Rachel Miller Codar

530-391-1966 
12499 Folsom Blvd #238
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 011

From: Alice Walker

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Approve Proposed Pilot Approach For A 911 Alternative Response And Call Center Program
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 12:00:12 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

To the Sacramento Council,

Please approved the Proposed Pilot Approach For A 911 Alternative Response And Call
Center Program

We demand this program be funded to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure
24/7 services. The Board of Supervisors should divert these funds from the bloated
Sheriff’s Department budget. The Sheriff receives the lion’s share of our public dollars and
yet reports an average of $4 million in unspent dollars per year.

A community advisory board with impacted people to inform the design and
implementation of alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health and
homeless needs. The County can look to the Denver STAR community board for an
example, which includes Black, Latinx, and Muslim representatives and of course, people
with disabilities. Amid the economic, social, and health crisis that we are experiencing, It is
even more important for our Board Members to listen to the Sacramento residents. 

Implement Independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that

give immediate and low barrier access to services.

Thank you,
Alice
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 012

From: Tori Truscheit

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Approve Proposed Pilot Approach For A 911 Alternative Response And Call Center Program
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 12:34:41 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hi there,

I'm a district 3 resident (Curtis Park) and I urge you to direct as much funding as possible to
MH First and alternative responses to 911 at Wednesday's meeting. I have saved MH First in
my phone so that I call them instead of calling the police, because it's really important to me
that if my neighbors need help, I'm not sending them into a potentially deadly encounter with
the police. I would never want to be responsible for that, and I would never want someone
struggling with mental health to have their situation escalate because police with guns
approached them. We've seen this happen so many times that "suicide by cop" is a known
phenomenon, and I don't want that happening in Sacramento ever again. MH First is
nationally renowned, and we are lucky that volunteers in our community got it going - it
makes me proud to live here. Please give them more funding so that MH First can be available
7 days a week, not just two. 

Thank you,
Tori Truscheit
ᐧ
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 013

From: Jolene Russell

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: BOS Meeting 2/24: Item #4 public comment
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 3:44:33 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Board of Supervisors, 
I am a resident of District 4 and I stand with the demands of the People’s Budget Sacramento,
regarding Item #4 of the BOS Meeting on 2/24/21. 

1. We demand this program be funded to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure
24/7 services. The Board of Supervisors should divert these funds from the bloated
Sheriff’s Department budget. The Sheriff receives the lion’s share of our public dollars and
yet reports an average of $4 million in unspent dollars per year. The point of this program is
to fund services that Sheriff Jones has publicly stated he has no interest in providing, such
as responding to mental health or homeless needs. During budget hearings, Sheriff Jones
said he wants to “get out of the business” of taking these calls, and the Department is
already not meeting the required response times. While not everyone supports the
defunding of the police, the majority of the community members supports higher
investments in mental health and social services and a decline in the Sheriff’s Department.
Law enforcement was never designed to be a social service provider.

2. A community advisory board with impacted people to inform the design and
implementation of alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health and
homeless needs. The County can look to the Denver STAR community board for an
example, which includes Black, Latinx, and Muslim representatives and of course, people
with disabilities. Amid the economic, social, and health crisis that we are experiencing, It is
even more important for our Board Members to listen to the Sacramento residents. 

3. Independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give

immediate and low barrier access to services. The #1 priority reflected in People’s
Budget survey data is community-based mental health support. This requires an
independent emergency phone number and 24/7 dispatch system so communities can feel
safe to call it during crisis, and not fear potential interaction with law enforcement.

Luckily here in Sacramento we already have an established program following this model,
MH First. The County should fund MH First as a contracted advisor to the development of
City/County models. Behavioral Health has held two listening sessions so far with over 100
attendees and creative, community-based ideas that consistently highlighted the need for
models like MH First and Community Support Teams, not Mobile Crisis Support Teams that
are dominated by law enforcement. Why is the County Executive so focused on Mobile
Crisis Support Teams, which involve law enforcement? If you have a toothache, are you
going to ask a cardiologist to fix it? We have been asking cops to fix mental health crises
for far too long. The results are a huge waste of money, over-incarceration, and even
preventable death at the hands of law enforcement.

4. We demand that this effort not be removed from its context, which is a national
call for reinvestment of law enforcement dollars into our communities. Black,
indigenous and other people of color, and people with disabilities, are disproportionately
harmed and killed by law enforcement. It is estimated that 50-75% of people killed by police
annually in the US have a mental illness. We need real alternatives rooted in health equity
and racial justice to repair the harm that’s been done and do better for future generations.

--------
Jolene Russell 
(415) 377-7011 
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 014

From: Colleen King

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Budget priorities: Mental health crisis teams
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 10:02:27 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

As a licensed therapist with over 20 years of experience working with law enforcement and
people with serious mental illnesses, and someone who has several immediate family
members with chronic serious mental illnesses who have had multiple psychiatric crises and
interactions with law enforcement, I implore you and the rest of the county supervisors to fully
fund mental health crisis programs, and stop criminalization of people with serious mental
illnesses. We need trained, licensed clinicians and support personnel available 24/7 to de-
escalate psychiatric crises and provide support and referrals to community based programs
that are also fully funded.
The current county program has one clinician 4 days a week 10 hours a day, such as the one
in Elk Grove police department. It’s an excellent program but limited hours with limited referral
opportunities because community programs in Sacramento County are so woefully
underfunded and have been for decades. Please fully fund the “Independent dispatch
systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give immediate and low barrier access to
services. The #1 priority reflected in People’s Budget survey data is community-based mental
health support. This requires an independent emergency phone number and 24/7 dispatch
system so communities can feel safe to call it during crisis, and not fear potential interaction
with law enforcement.”
I also agree with this statement:
“We demand this program be funded to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure 24/7
services. The Board of Supervisors should divert these funds from the bloated Sheriff’s
Department budget. The Sheriff receives the lion’s share of our public dollars and yet reports
an average of $4 million in unspent dollars per year. The point of this program is to fund
services that Sheriff Jones has publicly stated he has no interest in providing, such as
responding to mental health or homeless needs. During budget hearings, Sheriff Jones said
he wants to “get out of the business” of taking these calls, and the Department is already not
meeting the required response times. While not everyone supports the defunding of the police,
the majority of the community members supports higher investments in mental health and
social services and a decline in the Sheriff’s Department. Law enforcement was never
designed to be a social service provider.”
Decriminalize mental illness and instead humanize integrated services.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
Colleen King, LMFT
Colleen King
[email protected]

Sacramento , California 95822

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 015

From: Sonja Marie Hansen

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Comment for Upcoming Council Meeting on 2/24
Date: Saturday, February 20, 2021 1:10:16 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hello, 

My family has been no exclusion to mental health crises. And sadly, I don't know a single
person whose life has not been forever altered by suicide, whether through a personal
attempt or the loss of a loved one. Our nation is the most depressed, addicted, and anxious in
the entire world out of all human history. 

I would like to submit my opinion that the $4 million in unused Sheriff Department funds be
directed toward sustainable 24/7 mental health crisis programs that operate without any
police interference. 

 I would like to see an independent Behavioral Health Advisory Board dedicated to 9-1-1
alternatives. 

I would also demand to see this money allocated toward permanent community-based
programs, not just pilot programs.

It's time for Sacramento to address our mental health crisis in new, innovative, and effective
methods, not through violence. Thank you.

Sonja Hansen
Stanford University | Class of 2022
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 016

From: Mary Ann

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Comments on Status Report on Alternative Responses to 911 Emergency Calls
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 1:19:44 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Please record my comments for the Feb 24 @ 2:30 Board of Supervisors meeting on Status
Report on Alternative Responses to 911 Emergency Calls. 

The Sacramento County Sheriff does not want to respond to calls regarding mental health and
homeless needs.  This makes sense because law enforcement personnel aren't trained as social
service providers.  But that argument leaves these human needs either unmet or treated as
criminal actions.  For very many homeless and mentally ill folks in our community, we
desperately need a middle ground. 

I strongly support the creation of an independent system that's not connected to law-
enforcement to immediately respond to mental health and homeless service calls.  Service
experts would de-escalate and respond to calls regarding trauma and disability.  Providers
would connect clients to shelter, mental health assessment, medical care, and other survival
services.

This service would be staffed 24/7 by mental health and social service professionals.  Funding
would be pulled from the sheriff's budget. That funding will become available when sheriff's
personnel no longer need to respond to such calls and when other sheriff's budget dollars are
unspent. 

If the Board cares about addressing human needs, reducing suffering, and saving lives, they
will find a way to make this happen.

Thank you,
Mary Ann Robinson
Sacramento
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 017

From: Emily L
To: Clerk of the Board Public Email; Frost. Supervisor
Subject: Community comment for BOS 2/24 meeting
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 12:53:25 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

County Supervisors, 

I am a lifelong resident of Sacramento and believe there needs to be a reinvestment in our

communities. Sacramento, like the rest of the country, is dealing with multiple crises at once-
homelessness, economic strain, lack of housing that most people can afford, mental health and
medical emergencies, food insecurity- all within a pandemic that continues to spread. 

We need programs that will actually support those most affected and that will actually create a
positive change in Sacramento. 

We need programs that are alternatives to 911, run by people who personally understand these
crises, to be implemented in cases of mental health emergencies. 

I endorse the Mental Health First plan proposed by People’s Budget Sacramento and have the
following demands: 
I demand this program be funded to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure 24/7
services. The Board of Supervisors should divert these funds from the bloated Sheriff’s
Department budget. The point of this program is to fund services that Sheriff Jones has
publicly stated he has no interest in providing, such as responding to mental health or
homeless needs. During budget hearings, Sheriff Jones said he wants to “get out of the
business” of taking these calls, and the Department is already not meeting the required
response times. Why don’t we try alternatives? 
While not everyone supports the defunding of the police, the majority of the community
members supports higher investments in mental health and social services. These will save
lives! 

2. A community advisory board with impacted people to inform the design and

implementation of alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health and
homeless needs. The County can look to the Denver STAR community board for an
example, which includes Black, Latinx, and Muslim representatives and of course, people
with disabilities. Amid the economic, social, and health crisis that we are experiencing, It is
even more important for our Board Members to listen to the Sacramento residents.

3. Independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give

immediate and low barrier access to services. The #1 priority reflected in People’s
Budget survey data is community-based mental health support. This requires an
independent emergency phone number and 24/7 dispatch system so communities can feel
safe to call it during crisis, and not fear potential interaction with law enforcement.

Thank you 
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 018

From: Melisa Kayaer

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Crisis calls and the health and well being of the communities you serve
Date: Sunday, February 21, 2021 9:11:37 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Dear Board members,

I am a mother and active participant in my local Sacramento community. It it absolutely vital for
the health and well being of everyone that basic human compassion and skilled training is
provided in the areas of mental health crisis. Do you want the faith and trust of those in your
communities that you serve?!?! Then do what’s right to finally bring peace and resolve to a
very wounded system. Compassion, empathy and genuine love and concern for every human
is what will heal our divide.
Thank you,
Melisa Kayaer

We demand this program be funded to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure 24/7
services.

A community advisory board with impacted people to inform the design and implementation of
alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health and homeless needs.

Independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give immediate and
low barrier access to services.

We demand that this effort not be removed from its context, which is a national call for
reinvestment of law enforcement dollars into our communities.

Melisa Kayaer
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95842

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 019

From: Susan Lange

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Divest Law Enforcement - Invest in the Community
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 3:17:58 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

The officer who harassed a black teenager in Elk Grove is an excellent example of how law
enforcement needs to be reined in.  If you keep sending money to law enforcemnt, they think
everything they do is just fine. 

Invest in the community, invest in mental health.  Mental health should not be handled
through the criminal justice system.  Mental health crises need mental health assistance, not
criminalization.

Please make sure that the maximum amount of money goes to 911 alternative programs, and
not law enforcement.

Thank you,
Susan Lange
Twelve-year resident of 9547 Rockybrook Way, Elk Grove, CA.
650 291-4603
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 020

From: Jason Daniels

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Divest Law Enforcement $$$ to Address Community Needs
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 12:02:38 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hello-

I am writing to express support for the redistribution of funds traditionally allocated to law enforcement to other
specific needs in support of the local communities. 

Specifically, $15M for 24/7 mental health services would relieve a great amount of pressure from our local law
enforcement by creating a program to address the significant mental health issues seen by local citizens.  This
should include independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give immediate and low
barrier access to services.

Other programs like this around the country serve as examples of the effectiveness in both the long and short term in
addressing problems with solutions appropriate to the issues. 

thank you for your consideration of this matter,

Jason Daniels
2526 27th St, Sacramento, CA 95818
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 021

From: Andrea Johnson

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Emergency response
Date: Saturday, February 20, 2021 3:11:20 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Hello Sacramento County Board of Supervisors,

I am writing to ask that you immediately move to form and fully fund a non-law-enforcement
mental health emergency response team. Per the listening session, I ask you to incorporate
the community needs:

Response team should consist of mental health clinicians, peers with lived experience, social
workers, and medical clinicians

Expertise should be de-escalation, trauma-informed, behavioral health-centered, and

responsive to race, culture, gender, and disability

Crisis services must include housing and shelter, mental health assessment and services,
food, water, and other survival needs, medical care and medication, and crisis stabilization
and respite centers.

Following the CARES act financial mismanagement by former CEO Gill, the Board must act to
correct the lack of funding for county health needs. The funding for the above programs and
response team must come from the Sheriff’s budget.

Thank you,
Andrea Johnson

Andrea Johnson
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95818

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 022

From: Chelsea Tibbs

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: February 22, 2020 BOS Meeting, Agenda Item 4
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 1:02:57 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

I am a lawyer, Sacramento County resident and mother of two. I support this program, please
fund it with $15 million to ensure 24/7 services! Independent dispatch systems like MH First,
not connected to law enforcement, give immediate and low barrier access to services, save
money and are rooted in health equity and racial justice to support all our community and do
better for future generations.

Chelsea Tibbs
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95820

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 023

From: Adriana Joyner

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Funding Mental Health and Defunding Law Enforcement
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 8:54:23 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Supervisors,
I am a lifelong Sacramento County resident and am the owner of a psychotherapy practice in
Fair Oaks. As a therapist I understand the extensive training that is required to be effective as
a mental health crisis worker (Masters degree or higher, 3000 hours of supervised clinical
work just to be at an entry level position as a psychotherapist). Continuing to fund law
enforcement or build a larger jail is fiscally irresponsible and does not address the mental
health needs of the community. As a constituant I urge you to shift the funding away from the
Sheriff's department and invest in crisis and mental health workers that would address mental
health calls, homeless needs, drug/alcohol needs. It's the smarter decision to invest in people
who are actually trained in the service instead of expecting law enforcement officers with
minimal training to navigate these issues.

Adriana Joyner
[email protected]

Fair Oaks, California 95628

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 024

From: Devorah Herzog

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: I am a local therapist. We need these funds.
Date: Sunday, February 21, 2021 6:44:51 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Dear Board Members:

Our clients are struggling severely and always do. As a therapist with a family member who
ended their life, PLEASE fund this. You never know when it could be someone in your own
family who needs these services. We do not have enough crisis resources for our clients going
through severe depression, psychosis and other problems. Please do the right and humane
thing. We are out here trying. Join us please.
Thank you,
Devorah Herzog, LCSW

Devorah Herzog
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95822

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 025

From: McKenna Maxwell

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Invest in mental health services
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 12:19:55 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Board of Supervisors,

Money  must be divested from law enforcement and invested in community programs! I agree with
SURJ Sacramento that the budget provides $15 million for 24/7 mental health services! This is
essential- and you all are responsible for the health of the public, this is your service- please do it. 

Thank you for taking care of your community,

McKenna
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 026

From: Deirdre Hill

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Jail expansion
Date: Sunday, February 21, 2021 7:04:11 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Please spend our tax money on giving humans better counseling, education, Rehabilitation,
housing and jobs. The jobs that the jail expansion would create can also be performed by the
same people that would be the jailers. Let's retrain them and teach them how to be of service
to our fellow humans. As opposed to being jailers and oppressors. Every human being just
wants to be seen and accepted. We must do our best to not cause more damage to
traumatized and damaged people. Let's proceed with love.

Deirdre Hill
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95825

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 027

From: Amy Labowitch

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Mental Health
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 3:09:24 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Having lived through the process with a sister-in-law who was un- medicated bipolar and
fearing each time we had to call police, because would they fully understand our situation. We
needed help to get her the help she needed, but also worried that her situation wouldn’t be
fully understood. In making a missing persons call or when she was combative to my elderly
mother-in-law we would go in detail of her mental illness. Hoping officer would be
understanding when she would be loud and not “normal”.

Amy Labowitch
[email protected]

Elk Grove, California 95758

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 028

From: Esmeralda Aldaz

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public Comment : Money for Mental Health Services
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 2:01:44 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hello,

Money must be divested from law enforcement and invested in community programs! The money
allocation at minimum must be $15 million for 24/7 mental health services!

In solidarity, 
Esmeralda Aldaz 
Nisenan Lands (So called Sacramento County) Resident 
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 029

From: Shannon Kemena

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public Comment for “Status Report on Alternative Responses to 911 Emergency Calls”
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 12:49:05 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

This program must be funded with $15 million in order to successfully offer 24/7 services. 
The board needs to included people who would actually be impacted in order to get their input
on appropriate responses. This would save lives, create stronger community ties with more
trust between law enforcement and the public, and would make a huge difference to the people
most impacted, such as those with mental health issues and people dealing with homelessness.
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 030

From: Shea Hazarian

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Cc: Supervisor Serna
Subject: Public Comment for 2/24 BOS Meeting, Agenda Item #4
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 9:31:48 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Board of Supervisors,

I am a resident of District 1 and am in full support of a non-law

enforcement mental health service, but $1.5 million is not enough. I
am demanding the following:
1. This program must be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365
days a year, and there must be enough funding to support this program.
Mental health crises do not wait for business hours, and by continuing
to rely on the Sheriff's department for after-hours mental health
calls, we would be continuing to put already marginalized people in
danger.
2. Because this program would replace Sheriff duties, the funding must
come from the Sheriff's budget, NOT the General Fund. The Sheriff's
department has received the majority of County funding AND
COVId-related relief funds. It is time to reallocate.
3. This program must have an independent advisory board, separate from
any and all law enforcement.
4. This program should work with community-based 911 alternatives like
Mental Health First, and must allow these community groups to provide
crisis services WITHOUT law enforcement present.

As a Sacramento resident and someone who deals with mental health

challenges personally, I am truly excited about the prospect of a
County-funded, non-law enforcement program. I am also dedicated to
making sure this program is sustainable and does not cause the same
harm that police and sheriffs have caused on mental health calls. My
sincere hope is that you will recognize and support this need in our
community.

Thanks for your time,

Shea Hazarian
District 1 (95816)

--
Shea A. Hazarian
Gender pronouns: she/her/hers
[email protected]
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 031

From: [email protected]
To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public comment for 2/24/21 board of supervisors meeting
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 9:36:15 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

I am wholeheartedly in favor of the pilot approach for a 911 alternative response and call center program, as laid out
in the agenda packet for the 2/24/21 Board of Supervisors meeting. This program will undoubtedly save lives and
lead to better care for our communities in desperate need of help from public services. Please approve this program.
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 032

From: Brooke Kozlowski

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public Comment for Board of Supervisors
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 12:39:07 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Board Members - 

People’s Budget Sacramento Demands:

1. We demand this program be funded to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure
24/7 services. The Board of Supervisors should divert these funds from the bloated
Sheriff’s Department budget. The Sheriff receives the lion’s share of our public dollars and
yet reports an average of $4 million in unspent dollars per year. The point of this program is
to fund services that Sheriff Jones has publicly stated he has no interest in providing, such
as responding to mental health or homeless needs. During budget hearings, Sheriff Jones
said he wants to “get out of the business” of taking these calls, and the Department is
already not meeting the required response times. While not everyone supports the
defunding of the police, the majority of the community members supports higher
investments in mental health and social services and a decline in the Sheriff’s Department.
Law enforcement was never designed to be a social service provider.

2. A community advisory board with impacted people to inform the design and
implementation of alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental
health and homeless needs. The County can look to the Denver STAR community
board for an example, which includes Black, Latinx, and Muslim representatives and
of course, people with disabilities. Amid the economic, social, and health crisis that
we are experiencing, It is even more important for our Board Members to listen to the
Sacramento residents. 

3. Independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give

immediate and low barrier access to services. The #1 priority reflected in People’s
Budget survey data is community-based mental health support. This requires an
independent emergency phone number and 24/7 dispatch system so communities
can feel safe to call it during crisis, and not fear potential interaction with law
enforcement.

Luckily here in Sacramento we already have an established program following this

model, MH First. The County should fund MH First as a contracted advisor to the
 development of City/County models. Behavioral Health has held two listening
sessions so far with over 100 attendees and creative, community-based ideas that
consistently highlighted the need for models like MH First and Community Support
Teams, not Mobile Crisis Support Teams that are dominated by law enforcement.
Why is the County Executive so focused on Mobile Crisis Support Teams, which
involve law enforcement? If you have a toothache, are you going to ask a cardiologist
to fix it? We have been asking cops to fix mental health crises for far too long. The
results are a huge waste of money, over-incarceration, and even preventable death
at the hands of law enforcement.

4. We demand that this effort not be removed from its context, which is a
national call for reinvestment of law enforcement dollars into our communities.
Black, indigenous and other people of color, and people with disabilities, are
disproportionately harmed and killed by law enforcement. It is estimated that 50-75%
of people killed by police annually in the US have a mental illness. We need real
alternatives rooted in health equity and racial justice to repair the harm that’s been
done and do better for future generations.

***On a personal level, I have experienced firsthand as a mother of a son who has struggled with
mental health issues in combination with drugs. In my community, there were NO other resources
except to involve the police when he had episodes with this co-occurring diagnoses. While I
appreciated the response of the police, I do not believe it was the best use of their time nor do I
think it was the best way to handle the situation with my son. We are in desperate need of more
mental health resources...especially for teen into young adult population. We should not have to
already have the police associated with our teens and potentially feeding them into the police
system when the issue at hand is related to mental health. Our community, the police force and
our health professionals deserve better support in this critical area.**

Thank you,

Brooke Kozlowski

206-719-3840
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 033

From: Mary Ann

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public comment on Feb 24, 2019 2:30 Board meeting, agenda item 4
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 2:42:44 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Public comment on Feb 24, 2019 2:30 Board meeting, agenda item 4 -- Approve Proposed Pilot Approach
For A 911 Alternative Response And Call Center Program

The Sacramento County Sheriff does not want to respond to calls regarding mental health and
homeless needs.  This makes sense because law enforcement personnel aren't trained as social
service providers.  But that argument leaves these human needs either unmet or treated as
criminal actions.  For very many homeless and mentally ill folks in our community, we
desperately need a middle ground. 

I strongly support the creation of an independent system that's not connected to law-
enforcement to immediately respond to mental health and homeless service calls.  Service
experts would de-escalate and respond to calls regarding trauma and disability.  Providers
would connect clients to shelter, mental health assessment, medical care, and other survival
services.

This service would be staffed 24/7 by mental health and social service professionals.  Funding
would be pulled from the sheriff's budget. That funding will become available when sheriff's
personnel no longer need to respond to such calls and when other sheriff's budget dollars are
unspent. 

If the Board cares about addressing human needs, reducing suffering, and saving lives, they
will find a way to make this happen.

Thank you,
Mary Ann Robinson
Sacramento
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 034

From: Katherine Lauck

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public comment: Status Report on Alternative Responses to 911 Emergency Calls
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 1:06:05 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

To Sacramento County Board of Supervisors,

I implore you to extend your empathy to our most vulnerable community members and
demand that you stand up to Sheriff Jones and fund mental health and community care
services with at least $15 million directly from the budget of law enforcement. 

This program must be designed in collaboration with impacted people, such as Black, Latinx,
unhoused, and disabled people. For a model, look to the Denver STAR community board.

Services must be SEPARATE from law enforcement - otherwise they will a) be ineffective
because of the fear and aggression brought to encounters by law enforcement and b) be
underused because Black, trans, disabled, and other marginalized people's horrifying
experiences with law enforcement will rightly make them fearful and distrustful of further
encounters.

Finally, this must not be removed from its context, which is a national call for reinvestment of
law enforcement dollars in communities. Black, indigenous and other people of color,
and people with disabilities, are disproportionately harmed and killed by law
enforcement. It is estimated that 50-75% of people killed by police annually in the US
have a mental illness. We need real alternatives rooted in health equity and racial
justice to repair the harm that’s been done and do better for future generations.

Sincerely,
Katherine Lauck
--
Katherine (Katie) Lauck
she/hers

PhD student
Karp Lab, UC Davis
[email protected]

My working day may not be your working day. Please do not feel obligated to respond to this email outside of your normal
working hours.
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 035

From: Allison Thrower

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Regarding the unspent $4M of the Sheriff"s budget
Date: Sunday, February 21, 2021 3:23:39 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Sacramento County Supervisors,

I'm a Sacramento resident in favor of using the Sheriff's surplus $4M for community-based,
24/7 mental health crisis programs. Mental health crisis programs are starved for funding, and
Sheriff Jones himself has expressed not wanting his deputies to be responsible for calls of this
nature. That $4M could do so much good! I echo my fellow community members in saying I
want:

• The Sheriff's surplus $4M to be used for community-based mental health crisis programs 
• For these programs be in action 24/7
• For there be ZERO law enforcement involvement in any form - from planning, to
dispatching, to crisis resolution
• The creation of an independent Behavioral Health Advisory Board, that will work
exclusively toward 9-1-1 alternatives

Thank you,
Allison Thrower
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 036

From: Jesse Jackson

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Remove law enforcement from 911 mental health emergencies
Date: Saturday, February 20, 2021 1:48:02 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Hello,
I am writing to demand that law enforcement be removed from responding to mental health
crises and that an alternative be funded. Sacramento sheriff has shown they lack de-
escalation skills and cause more harm than good. Sacramento needs to rethink and refund
how we respond to vulnerable community members. Law enforcement is not the answer, more
incarceration is not the answer. We need compassionate community care not involving law
enforcement. Such an alternative needs funding to be implemented so that alternative can
operate 24/7 with robust services including. Defund the over funded sheriff and fund
alternatives that actually help our community.

Kind regards,
Jesse Jackson

Jesse Jackson
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95811

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 037

From: Rachel Gregg

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Respond to mental health calls with mental health resources
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 12:03:54 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

911 alternatives be funded to succeed.  At minimum, $15 million should be invested to
ensure 24/7 services. The Board of Supervisors should divert these funds from the bloated
Sheriff’s Department budget. The Sheriff receives the lion’s share of our public dollars and
yet reports an average of $4 million in unspent dollars per year. The point of this program is
to fund services that Sheriff Jones has publicly stated he has no interest in providing, such
as responding to mental health or homeless needs. During budget hearings, Sheriff Jones
said he wants to “get out of the business” of taking these calls, and the Department is
already not meeting the required response times. While not everyone supports the
defunding of the police, the majority of the community members supports higher
investments in mental health and social services and a decline in the Sheriff’s Department.
Law enforcement was never designed to be a social service provider.

Rachel Gregg
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 038

From: Deborah Franklin

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Sheriff Budget and 911 Call Alternatives
Date: Sunday, February 21, 2021 4:52:21 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Members, Sacramento County Board of Supervisors:
As the County Supervisors consider budget items related to the Sheriff Department this week,
I urge you to (1) fund a community- based 24/7 911 call alternative using $4 million in Sheriff
Department surplus funds and (2) deny the Sheriff Department request for $20 million to
expand county jail facilities. Now is the time to move away from incarceration and guns and
toward more just and humane options that benefit our community.
Thank you,
Deborah Franklin
2525 E Street, Sacramento, CA 95816
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 039

From: Jesse Morelli

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Spend on prevention.
Date: Sunday, February 21, 2021 2:23:30 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Good afternoon,

I am writing to voice my concern as a Sacramento city resident. The proposal on the table to
spend millions of our communities hard earned, and dutifully paid, tax dollars on a jail
expansion is in direct conflict with what this city wants and needs. 

When I walk around the streets I see unhoused people who need the communities help. They
need shelter, they need mental health services, some need resources to recover from addiction,
some just need a hot meal, a shower, and a second chance. 

I strongly oppose the idea of spending MORE money on incarcerating our community
members before we have done our best to support them. That’s where I want my tax dollars
going. 

I hope you will consider this at the upcoming meeting. 

Thank you, 
~Jesse Leonard 
95831
--
~Jesse
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 040

From: Shea Robinson

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Status Report on Alternative Responses to 911 Emergency Calls”
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 12:33:07 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Money must be divested from law enforcement and invested in community programs! We

demand: $15 million for 24/7 mental health services! 

Thanks,
Shea 
Sent from my iPhone
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 041

From: Nicole Elton

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Status Report on Alternative Responses to 911 Emergency Calls
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 12:51:27 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Good Afternoon, 

I'm writing in to share my comments around the Board of Supervisors Status Report on
Alternative Responses to 911 Emergency Calls. 

I'm personally angry at the amount of funding distributed to law enforcement, when evidence
based alternatives (that don't carry deadly force) are available. 

I believe this alternative to law-enforcement connected emergency response be funded

sufficiently to provide 24/7 services. Minimum $15 million. According to our sheriff's own
words, he would prefer his officers not provide mental health response and address homeless
citizen needs. So, seems like we're all in agreement here. 

It's important to me that designing, implementing and execution of this new approach be
influenced and overseen by impacted stakeholders: mental health service providers, impacted
communities, homeless citizens, and more. There is plenty of evidence of other municipalities
doing this successfully. 

Crucially, I feel this new dispatch system should be 100% separate from law enforcement,
ensure immediate access with low to no barriers to service. This means NOT a triage from
911, a totally new system. 

Luckily here in Sacramento we already have an established program following this model,
MH First. The County should fund MH First as a contracted advisor to the development of
City/County models. Behavioral Health has held two listening sessions so far with over 100
attendees and creative, community-based ideas that consistently highlighted the need for
models like MH First and Community Support Teams, not Mobile Crisis Support Teams that
are dominated by law enforcement. Why is the County Executive so focused on Mobile
Crisis Support Teams, which involve law enforcement? If you have a toothache, are you
going to ask a cardiologist to fix it? We have been asking cops to fix mental health crises
for far too long. The results are a huge waste of money, over-incarceration, and even
preventable death at the hands of law enforcement.

I also need to keep centering that this effort is kept in the context of a nationwide call (and
in some cases actual effort!) to defund law enforcement as the only social service option.
These reallocations allow for stronger investment in services that help communities, instead
of one system that disproportionately harms Black, Latinx, indigenous and queer
communities.

Thank you,

Nicole Elton
[email protected]
(she/her/hers)
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 042

From: Lorry Marvin

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 2/24 Board of Supervisors Meeting: 911 Alternatives
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 7:52:20 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hello,
I'm a local, voting community member leaving a public comment here regarding 911
alternative programs. Money must be divested from law enforcement and invested in
community programs.  A great number of your community members demand $15 million for
24/7 mental health services!   The Board of Supervisors should divert these funds from the
bloated Sheriff’s Department budget. The Sheriff receives the lion’s share of our public dollars
and yet reports an average of $4 million in unspent dollars per year. The point of this program
is to fund services that Sheriff Jones has publicly stated he has no interest in providing, such as
responding to mental health or homeless needs.
A community advisory board with impacted people to inform the design and implementation
of alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health and homeless needs. The
County can look to the Denver STAR community board for an example, which includes
Black, Latinx, and Muslim representatives and of course, people with disabilities. 
Independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give immediate and low
barrier access to services. The #1 priority reflected in People’s Budget survey data is
community-based mental health support. This requires an independent emergency phone
number and 24/7 dispatch system so communities can feel safe to call it during crisis, and not
fear potential interaction with law enforcement.
Luckily here in Sacramento we already have an established program following this model,
MH First. The County should fund MH First as a contracted advisor to the development of
City/County models. Behavioral Health has held two listening sessions so far with over 100
attendees and creative, community-based ideas that consistently highlighted the need for
models like MH First and Community Support Teams, not Mobile Crisis Support Teams that
are dominated by law enforcement.
This effort should not be removed from its context, which is a national call for reinvestment of
law enforcement dollars into our communities. Black, indigenous and other people of color,
and people with disabilities, are disproportionately harmed and killed by law enforcement. It is
estimated that 50-75% of people killed by police annually in the US have a mental illness. We
need real alternatives rooted in health equity and racial justice to repair the harm that’s been
done and do better for future generations.

Let's care for our community and lessen the workload of the sheriff's department. We can
invest smarter, resulting in better support for all involved.

Thank you,
Lorry Marvin
Resident of zip 95826
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 043

From: Tibby Wroten

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 911 Alternatives Program
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 8:31:36 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

I am writing in support of the County creating an alternative program for mental health and
domestic violence response that does not involve law enforcement. I am tired of seeing mental
health crises being met with, at best, indifference, and at worst, murder from the sheriff's
department. The money for the alternative program needs to come from the sheriff's budget.
The bulk of my tax dollars is spent, without my support or consent, on that sham of a
department and I want to see the County step up and pull funding from them and use it to
support programs that the community needs and wants.

Tibby Wroten
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95864

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 044

From: Michael Tomlinson

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 911 Alternatives
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 7:28:58 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

I support this program, please fund it with $15 million

Michael Tomlinson
[email protected]

Sacramento , California 95818

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 045

From: Theo Slater

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 911 Alternatives
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 10:22:34 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

We need 911 Alternatives so that when I call for some sort of response to a problem I don't
have to worry police will show up and shoot people.

The fact that Sac PD have shown their love of the gun and inflicting harm and terror in the Oak
Park community, buzzing us and terrorizing us with helicopters, and riding into our community
hitting homes with their cars and shooting people far to frequently over the past few decades
shows that particularly in communities of color like mine where the police act more like
occupying forces than that they are there to protect and serve, I need someone I can call who
I know isn't just going to riddle a person who is having a crisis full of bullets.

Killing people is not a solution, and that seems to be all that Sac PD is good at.

I want someone I can call who will help de-escalate crisis and help solve community problems,
not folks who will come in guns blazing to terrorize my community.

Please fully fund 911 alternatives so I don't have to consider whether to call for emergency
response because I am too afraid that will lead to Sac PD murdering more of my fellow
citizens.

Thank you for reading this message, please act immediately to end the terror and help my Oak
Park Community not have to live in fear of Sac PD's violence and oppression.

Theo Slater
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95817

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 046

From: Judy Lane

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Cc: Judy Lane
Subject: Agenda item #4 Board of Supervisors meeting Feb. 24, 2021
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 10:16:48 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

I support the Proposed Pilot Approach For A 911 Alternative Response And Call Center
Program to be considered on Feb. 24.  I am sure that a non-law enforcement mental health
crisis team (with their own vehicles and a non-911 call-in number) could de-escalate many
potentially tragic situations. 

A fatal crisis in my own family years ago might have been averted by such a program. 

Thank you for working on this important issue.

--Judy Lane
2532 52nd Street
Sacramento, CA 95817
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 047

From: Katie Culpepper

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: alternatives to police intervention for individuals dealing with mental health crises and homelessness
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 9:10:32 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Hello Sacramento County Board of Supervisors,

I am writing regarding Sacramento Community 911 calls for alternatives to police intervention
for individuals dealing with mental health crises and homelessness. I am an Associate Clinical
Social Worker working on my clinical hours to obtain my LCSW. Social workers have the skills
necessary to support individuals in the community with mental health crises. However, we are
limited by political will, lack of resources and funding to carry out our mission. If you have a
well-trained fire department, but do not give them a firetruck, hoses or a fire station then you’re
limiting their ability to serve their communities. I am writing regarding Sacramento Community
911 calls for alternatives to police intervention for individuals dealing with mental health crises
and homelessness. I am an Associate Clinical Social Worker working on my clinical hours to
obtain my LCSW. Social workers have the skills necessary to support individuals in the
community with mental health crises. However, we are limited by political will, lack of
resources and funding to carry out our mission. If you have a well-trained fire department, but
do not give them a firetruck, hoses or a fire station then you’re limiting their ability to serve
their communities. This is the reality that social workers experience on a daily basis in multiple
professional settings. Social workers are an untapped, underutilized and underfunded
resource with skills ranging from therapeutic support to resource connectivity for community
members. In my daily work with clients, I see individuals struggling with tremendous social
barriers such as; racism, homelessness and frustration with a community that has abandoned
them to the fate of the streets, leaving them to cope on their own while they struggle with
economic limitations and mental health barriers. In my work experience, many individuals
escalate to a crisis level because of a lack of access to social resources, mental health
services and a sense of desperation and hopelessness. As a mandated reporter, I am one of
the people legally obligated to call 911 to help keep individuals safe when they reach a crisis
point and develop plans for committing suicide in order to stop the pain and the hopelessness
of their lives. This is the reality that social workers experience on a daily basis in multiple
professional settings. Social workers are an untapped, underutilized and underfunded
resource with skills ranging from therapeutic support to resource connectivity for community
members. In my daily work with clients, I see individuals struggling with tremendous social
barriers such as; racism, homelessness and frustration with a community that has abandoned
them to the fate of the streets, leaving them to cope on their own while they struggle with
economic limitations and mental health barriers. In my work experience, many individuals
escalate to a crisis level because of a lack of access to social resources, mental health
services and a sense of desperation and hopelessness. As a mandated reporter, I am one of
the people legally obligated to call 911 to help keep individuals safe when they reach a crisis
point and develop plans for committing suicide in order to stop the pain and the hopelessness
of their lives. I have had clients tell me multiple times that they know that no one cares about
them in regard to their housing or mental health. Fortunately, there are a few organizations
that do try to support individuals and prevent them from coming to this point, such as; Hope
Cooperative Crisis Respite, Mobile Crisis, Sacramento County Support Team and Mental
Health Urgent Care Clinics. Please consider providing adequate funding to continue these
programs and funds that will increase other services including housing, access to mental
health services and economic opportunities. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I
have had clients tell me multiple times that they know that no one cares about them in regard
to their housing or mental health. Fortunately, there are a few organizations that do try to
support individuals and prevent them from coming to this point, such as; Hope Cooperative
Crisis Respite, Mobile Crisis, Sacramento County Support Team and Mental Health Urgent
Care Clinics. Please consider providing adequate funding to continue these programs and
funds that will increase other services including housing, access to mental health services and
economic opportunities. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Sincerely,
Katie Culpepper, MSW, ACSW

Katie Culpepper
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95821

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 048

From: Peggy Blair

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Attn: Supervisor Frost
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 12:41:11 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

I urge the county board of supervisors to reallocate the $4 million Sheriff’s
surplus to proven community-run 911 alternatives.  This would be a major
step forward for local racial justice.  Please help divert excess law
enforcement funds to provide effective local community programs to keep
low-level offenders out of prison.
 
Thank you,
Peggy Blair
Folsom, CA 95630
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 049

From: Monica Braughton

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Back a robust budget for alternatives to 911
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 9:20:29 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Dear Supervisor Serna -

I have been a resident of District 1 for 8 years. Thank you for your support for Supervisor
Kennedy's initial proposal to provide $1.5M in funding for a community-based crisis response
system. The current proposal for $107,000 is not enough. The community is in need of a 911
alternative that is independent from law enforcement, informed by the input of the communities
it serves, and fully funded. Please back $15M in funding for a community crisis response
system that better meets the community's needs, and better reflects the community's desire to
reinvest law enforcement dollars in our communities.

Thank you.

Monica Braughton
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95817

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 050

From: Vicki Wilson

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Board Clerk Re: Funding for alternative community support
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 7:58:12 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Surely, no one on this board believes that 1.5 million will cover even one of these three:
*Response teams should consist of mental health clinicians, peers with lived experience,
social workers, and medical clinicians
*Expertise should be de-escalation, trauma-informed, behavioral health-centered, and
responsive to race, culture, gender, and disability
*Crisis services must include housing and shelter, mental health assessment and services,
food, water, and other survival needs, medical care and medication, and crisis stabilization
and respite centers
If you're interested in helping the people of our community in a real way, fund this with $15
million.
If you aren't interested in helping the people of our community in real way, then step down.
Faking doesn't work. It's a position to help the people of our community. If you won't do it,
please leave.

Vicki Wilson
[email protected]

Elk Grove, California 95757

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 051

From: Megan Brown

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: BOS 2/24/21 Item #4 public comment
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 5:21:23 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hello,

I learned that Wed. 2/24/21, the Sac County Board of Supervisors will be discussing approval
of a pilot for a 911 alternative response and call center program.

Deescalation and providing crisis services as alternatives to policing are proven to be more
effective at lowering arrest rates than our revolving incarceration system.  Additionally, 
alternatives to police responses are being asked for by the community, with a desire for teams
that include mental health clinicians, peers with lived experience, social workers, and medical
clinicians.  

While not everyone supports the defunding of the police, the majority of the community
members supports higher investments in mental health and social services and a decline in
the Sheriff’s Department. Law enforcement was never designed to be a social service
provider. In order for this program to be successful, it needs funding. Diverting funds from
the bloated Sheriff's budget is necessary. That is why I demand this program be funded to
succeed with $15 million invested to ensure 24/7 services.

Thank You, 
Megan Brown
District 1 resident (95820)
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 052

From: Charlene Jones

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email; Supervisor Serna; Frost. Supervisor
Subject: BOS mtg. agenda item #4
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 9:18:26 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hello,
I am a resident of District 1 who applauds Supervisor Kennedy’s move (with Supervisor Serna’s
support) to see that $1.5million is allocated to fund 911 alternatives for mental health crises. I
am also in strong support of increasing the amount significantly for the Alternatives to Law
Enforcement proposal to better meet needs of our large county.
We know severe reductions to mental health services and few affordable treatment options
for those struggling with mental illness & substance abuse means the public must turn to local
law enforcement help with situations that often involve no criminal activity. We also know
that as much as 20% of US police incidents involve a person with behavioral health disorders,
and, alarmingly, police killings very often involve a person with mental illness. We need pre-
emptive, collaborative interventions to address such situations that escalate to critical levels. 
With an increase in the proposed allocation the county could deploy:
 
Response teams of mental health clinicians, social workers, and specialists with
expertise in de-escalation and trauma-informed care
Crisis services that include mental health assessment and services, medical care and
crisis stabilization and respite centers
 
Similar programs in Eugene, Oregon and Denver, Colorado are underway and look to save
future tax payer dollars by investing upfront to avoid ever-escalating costs of “over” policing
and incarceration by more humanely and effectively handling mental health emergency
situations
Thank you for your consideration,
Charlene Jones

Charlene J. She/Her/Hers
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 053

From: Katie Little

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Budget - alternatives to 911
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 7:56:56 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Hi Supervisor Desmond,

I am writing to share my adamant request that the next county budget prioritize community
investments, especially emergency response services that are an alternative to 911. My
values are safety, equity, well-being and community. These values guide my priorities and I
strongly believe that quality, reliable and humane alternatives to 911 will make our
communities stronger and safer. The next budget must prioritize mental health services, basic
needs services (including food and shelter) and services must be trained healthcare and
mental healthcare providers who are trained in a trauma-informed, inclusive, approach to
services that is rooted in harm reduction. I am looking forward to your partnership in making
our communities better for all of us.

Thank you,

Katie Little

Katie Little
[email protected]

Carmichael, California 95608

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 054

From: Rebecca Foley

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Care not Cages- 2/24 Vote
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 4:34:05 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hi there,

I wanted to write in to share a community story about alternatives to policing. I’m a longtime
resident of Sacramento county but went to college in Eugene, Oregon. Eugene has a (now well
known) program called CAHOOTS that is a non policing group that responds especially to
substance use and mental health issues. I used cahoots when I lived there when an unhoused
neighbor had fallen asleep on my car and I couldn’t easily rouse him, I felt he might have been
under the influence of substances and knew I wouldn’t be able to help him or navigate waking
him up safely on my own/provide medical care if needed. I felt safe knowing by calling
Cahoots I was calling a group who would be respectful of him and his autonomy, give him
choice in his care, and not criminalize him. Not that I’m back in Sacramento, when I see
neighbors struggling with mental health or substance use issues, unless I feel I can safely help
them on my own, I don’t feel there’s any way for me to get professional help that won't
endanger their lives and autonomy. Programs like Cahoots allow us to keep community
members safe and provide support, and are proven to work. Sacramento has needed this
program for a long time, and our need for it only increases as time goes on. I urge the council
to act now in providing funding and support for alternatives to policing like the cahoots model,
and to not invest any more money in jails or prisons. Our community members will not get
well in a cell. 

Thank you,
Rebecca Foley
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 055

From: Suzanne Lander

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Comment on 911 Alternative Programs
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 3:53:30 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board of Supervisors,
 
Please accept these comments in regards to the 911 Alternative Programs
that are being discussed on February 24, 2021.
 
Along with the People’s Budget Sacramento I am requesting that you approve
the proposed Pilot Approach for a 911 Alternative Response and Call Center
Program as stated below:
 
1. I demand this program be funded to succeed with $15 million
invested to ensure 24/7 services. The point of this program is to fund
services that Sheriff Jones has publicly stated he has no interest in
providing, such as responding to mental health or homeless needs. During
budget hearings, Sheriff Jones said he wants to “get out of the business” of
taking these calls, and the Department is already not meeting the required
response times. The majority of the community supports higher investments
in mental health and social services and a decline in the Sheriff’s
Department. Law enforcement was never designed to be a social service
provider.
          

         2. A community advisory board with impacted people to inform the

design and implementation of alternative, non-law enforcement

responses for mental health and homeless needs. The County can look to
the Denver STAR community board for an example, which includes Black,
Latinx, and Muslim representatives and of course, people with disabilities.
Amid the economic, social, and health crisis that we are experiencing, It is
even more important for our Board Members to listen to the Sacramento
residents. 

         3. Independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement,

that give immediate and low barrier access to services. The #1 priority
reflected in People’s Budget survey data is community-based mental health
support. This requires an independent emergency phone number and 24/7
dispatch system so communities can feel safe to call it during crisis, and not
fear potential interaction with law enforcement. Luckily here in Sacramento
we already have an established program following this model, MH First. The
County should fund MH First as a contracted advisor to the development of
City/County models. Behavioral Health has held two listening sessions so far
with over 100 attendees and creative, community-based ideas that
consistently highlighted the need for models like MH First and Community
Support Teams, not Mobile Crisis Support Teams that are dominated by law
enforcement.
4. I demand that this effort not be removed from its context, which is a
national call for reinvestment of law enforcement dollars into our
communities. Black, indigenous and other people of color, and people with
disabilities, are disproportionately harmed and killed by law enforcement. It
is estimated that 50-75% of people killed by police annually in the US have a
mental illness. We need real alternatives rooted in health equity and racial
justice to repair the harm that’s been done and do better for future
generations.
 
Thank you.
 
 
Sincerely,
 
Suzanne Lander
Sacramento 95834
 
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 056

From: CATHY MOUCHKA

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Comment on 911 Alternatives (2/24/21 Meeting)
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 12:45:23 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Greetings to our Board of Supervisors, 

As you know, mental health has been a crisis in our community and country, and plays a part in a
significant number of calls to law enforcement. 

I, as a member of the greater Sacramento community, encourage and implore you to reimagine
community policing to include a strong mental health component in alternative 911 response. This is a
good investment of money since it may help de-escalate the likelihood of violence on either side of a call
and may make it more likely for those involved to get the mental health services they need. In turn, this
may resolve root cause mental-health related issues and reduce the likelihood of future calls. Counseling
and support is a good way to go.

Thank you for receiving my comment and your consideration.

From the daughter of a psychologist,

Cathy Ballantine
2829 Marilona Drive
Sacramento, CA 95821
(916) 335-0444 
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 057

From: Christine Bailey and Bill Becker

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Comments on Agenda Item #4, February 24 Board of Supervisors Meeting
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 9:51:59 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Supervisors,

I urge the Board of Supervisors to better fund this 911 Alternative

Response and Call Center Program by reallocating the $4 million Sheriff's
Office surplus to this program.

The community needs mental health professionals handling community

emergencies. Lack of specific mental health training by within the Sheriff's
Department leads to arrests, injury and trauma. This 911 Alternative
approach would not only be more compassionate and ethical, it would also
save the community money. It costs Sacramento $81,000 per inmate/per
year for incarceration.  

Please reallocate the $4 Million Sheriff's Office surplus to this program.

Christine Bailey
Gold River, CA
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 058

From: A.L. French-Tubo

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Community crisis response
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 11:43:35 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

After the debacle of 85% of our county's CARES funds being spent on LE line items that did
nothing to add to the quality of life of our community's most underserved people, it is
heartening to see the BOS acknowledging the necessity of applying resources to a community
crisis response. Thank you.
However, unless adequate funds are allocated to a true MH First structure, this will be
ineffective at best and a cruel charade at worst. The minimum amount must be $15M for true
24/7 coverage--unless the BOS has identified an infallible way to ensure such crises will
happen only during designated days/times.
As identified through the community process the following components are necessary:
Response teams should consist of mental health clinicians, peers with lived experience, social
workers, and medical clinicians.

Expertise should be de-escalation, trauma-informed, behavioral health-centered, and

responsive to race, culture, gender, and disability.

Crisis services must include housing and shelter, mental health assessment and services,
food, water, and other survival needs, medical care and medication, and crisis stabilization
and respite centers.

Continuing with our current system for responding to community members in crisis is not only
incredibly damaging to vulnerable and historically underserved members of our community, it
is an ineffective use of taxpayer funds. It's ineffective because it doesn't heal wounds or build
strength, it just slaps on a bandaid to cover the injury so privileged people like myself don't
have to see the suffering.

BOS, please improve the future of our entire community by approving $15M for a true MH First
structure.

A.L. French-Tubo
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95819

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 059

From: Laura Sheperd

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Demands
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 11:07:00 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

1. We demand this program be funded to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure
24/7 services.

2. A community advisory board with impacted people to inform the design and
implementation of alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health and
homeless needs.

3. Independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give

immediate and low barrier access to services.

4. We demand that this effort not be removed from its context, which is a national
call for reinvestment of law enforcement dollars into our communities.

Laura L Sheperd
Citizen and Member of Carmichael, CA Community
VOTER
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 060

From: Adrianna Lucero

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Full funding for 9/11 Alternatives
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 5:44:36 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

I am a constituent in District 1 excited by Sac County's potential opportunity to set an example

and standard for investing in 9/11 alternatives. I want to see this program resourced and
scaled as quickly as possible.

I want to see the program resourced at least $15 million, which from my research seems the
minimum needed to ensure 24/7 services. We will save both lives and money in the long run
by addressing mental health needs with social service providers instead of the Sheriff's
Department. Community members want to see these needs addressed by trained mental
health experts, not by police. I feel like the Board of Supervisors continues to invest public
funds in the Sheriff's Department, instead of in community services that address root causes.
People have called for change again and again by protests against racial injustice. I want to
see our elected leaders in Sacramento take a clear stand for change that can make a
difference.

I also want to see this effort informed by the community and administered and overseen by
organizations besides the police. For example, other cities have community advisory boards
including Black and other minority community members who are disproportionately impacted
by this issue. Additionally, we should have independent dispatch systems not connected to
law enforcement so communities can feel safe to call during a crisis. I have personally had
people in my circle say they do not feel safe calling 9/11. We will not address this lack of trust
as long as these systems are intertwined.

Thank you for your consideration. I hope we will take bold action on this issue that centers our
most disproportionately harmed communities.

Adrianna Lucero
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95816-3709

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 061

From: Tricia Lee

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Fund Community Services
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 8:34:51 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Sacramento County needs real emergency service alternatives. Sheriff response for 911 calls
that are not criminal in nature are unnecessary and a misdirection of resources. Mental health
services are of the utmost importance for many 911 calls and need to be available 24/7/365.
Crisis services need to include shelter, mental health assessment and services, as well as
food, water, and other survival needs. Expertise for response of this type must include de-
escalation, trauma-informed, behavioral health-centered, and responsive to race, culture,
gender, and disability. For this to happen these services need to be sufficiently funded. I urge
the Board of Supervisors to direct appropriate funds toward these services.

Tricia Lee
[email protected]

Rancho Córdova, California 95670

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 062

From: Maggie Coulter

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Funding for alternative 911 programs
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 7:19:30 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

County Board of Supervisors:

Money must be divested from law enforcement and invested in community programs!

Allocate $15 million for 24/7 mental health services.

Thank you.

M Coulter

Sacramento
 
 
 
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 063

From: Cole Silkman

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Funding for Community Safety
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 8:16:46 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Hello,

I am writing to request two things.

One, don’t expand the jail. Our community doesn’t need a bigger jail; we need more services.
Services that will meet people’s needs and keep them out of jail.

Two, increase funding for alternatives to 911. Many calls are regarding people in mental
distress. These calls should have mental health counselors and/or social workers responding,
not police. This will actually save the country money as this is cheaper than sending police on
these calls. More importantly, it will save lives.

Please listen to your constituents and take these actions that will actually improve the safety of
our communities.

Cole Silkman
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95820

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 064

From: Bishop. Amanda

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: FW: For the record
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 4:30:57 PM
Attachments: Sheriff"s budget.msg
Allocation of Funding for Enforcement vs. Service.msg
911 Alternatives in Sacramento County.msg
Hello and good morning supervisor Serna!.msg
Alternatives to jail expansion.msg
No Jail Expansion Fund 911 Alternatives.msg
No Jail Expansion Fund 911 Alternatives.msg
Community Mental Health funding not Jail Funding.msg

For the record

 
From: Nava. Lisa <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 22, 2021 11:36 AM
To: Bishop. Amanda <[email protected]>
Subject: For the record
 
Attached.
 
From: Deborah Franklin [[email protected]]
To: Supervisor Serna [[email protected]]
Subject: Sheriff's budget
Date: Sunday, February 21, 2021 16:46:22
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Supervisor Serna,
As the County Supervisors consider budget items related to the Sheriff Department this week, I
urge you to (1) fund a 911 call alternative 24/7 that is community-based using $4 million in
Sheriff Department surplus funds and (2) deny the Sheriff Department request to spend $20
million on expanding the county jail facilities. You know well the arguments for funding a 911
call alternative and not funding more jail space and, I hope, don't have to be persuaded to vote
for the well-being of our community.
Deborah Franklin
2525 E Street, Sacramento, 95816
From: Jason Wagner [[email protected]]
To: Supervisor Serna [[email protected]]
Subject: Allocation of Funding for Enforcement vs. Service
Date: Thursday, February 18, 2021 14:53:47
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Supervisor&nbsp;Serna,

I am a constituent, and 95818 resident, a father of two teens, and a Senior Manager
with&nbsp;Blue Shield of California.

I would like to urge you to please consider redirecting any county budget surplus funds to
expand community services, prevention, and alternatives to 911. I would like to see more
funding AND more functions moved from law enforcement&nbsp;to more community-driven
and un-armed responders. Law enforcement&nbsp;is ill-equipped to address complex mental
health issues and do not have the training or credibility in the communities to be successful.

I am also not in favor of a large capital expenditure on jail infrastructure at this time. I think that
in the current climate of the pandemic and rising homelessness, we need to target
funding&nbsp;towards human services, housing, outreach, and prevention. NOT enforcement or
creating more cells. I'm sure that our current jails and infrastructure are in need of improvement,
but that should be done more incrementally and NOT right now.

Thanks a lot for your consideration and I REALLY appreciate your resistance to Manager Gill
and Scott Jones when it makes sense for our city and county.

Jason Wagner
916 849 5413
From: Chris Miller [[email protected]]
To: Supervisor Serna [[email protected]]
Subject: 911 Alternatives in Sacramento County
Date: Thursday, February 18, 2021 10:50:37
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hello Supervisor Serna,

I am a resident and constituent of Sacramento County's Supervisor District 1, living at the

intersection of 20th Street and J Street. I am emailing to call on you and the rest of the board of
supervisors to listen to community advocates and provide more funding for 911 alternatives in
Sacramento.

As a resident of Midtown, I have seen my fair share of individuals experiencing mental health
issues who need and deserve mental health resources. Police officers are NOT equipped&nbsp;to
deal with the nuances and often high stress situations that issues with mental health can manifest.
Our communities do not want or need guns and brute force to be the solutions to all problems,
especially&nbsp;when the alternatives already exist, and just need the funding to
expand&nbsp;operations.

The people of Sacramento have made it clear that police budgets are ridiculously overfunded,
and that those funds can be re-allocated to ensure that our communities&nbsp;have the resources
we need, want, and deserve.

Thank you for your time.

Best,
--

Chris Miller
Communications Coordinator, California Secretary of State

Pronouns: He/Him/His
From: Brandon Martinez [[email protected]]
To: Supervisor Serna [[email protected]]
Subject: Hello and good morning supervisor Serna!
Date: Thursday, February 18, 2021 08:26:25
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

I thought today would be a great day to bring up the fact that I had to call the nonemergency number of the sheriffs
department on a belligerent ranting man yesterday and I believe it could have been addressed properly by someone
who is a mental health professional. This guy is going through something that has been making him berate all of my
neighbors during different times of the day by yelling the “n” word and cursing out Oak Park for having black
people.

I’m disappointed with the mental state of some of these people who fall through the cracks and become hard to
handle but my neighbors and I have to stay at home to work, often have children on Zoom, and we are subject to
what happens in our neighborhood.

Please consider re-investing any monies for 911 alternatives that go further than the non-emergency line at the
Sacramento Sheriff’s department. There’s talk about a 4 million surplus in the Sac Sheriff’s budget and this is a
great time to cast community solutions in a new light.

Cheers,

Brandon
In District 1

Sent from my iPhone

From: John Downs [[email protected]]
To: Supervisor Serna [[email protected]]
CC: Nava. Lisa [[email protected]]; Aiello. Kerri [[email protected]]
Subject: Alternatives to jail expansion
Date: Wednesday, February 17, 2021 20:17:00
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Supervisor Serna,

My name is John Downs, I am a Senior Environmental Scientist with the California

Department of Fish and Wildlife. I reside and work in your district in Sacramento.

I understand&nbsp;that there is a surplus in the sheriff's budget,&nbsp;I urge you to

give the 4 million dollar to fund community run 911 alternatives for situations that do not
require an urban soldier with a gun.

A person experiencing a health crisis is 16 times more likely to be killed by law

enforcement. Law enforcement are neither trained nor equipped to manage the complex
mental and general health needs of our community.

We need funding for social workers, medics, and community run 911 services as an
alternative to the current method of incarcerating, confiscating survival gear, or inflicting
violent harm on our community members who are poor or struggling with mental and
other health issues.

Thank you for your time,

John Downs
From: Lori Klett Roberto, Ph.D. [[email protected]]
To: Supervisor Serna [[email protected]]
Subject: No Jail Expansion, Fund 911 Alternatives
Date: Wednesday, February 17, 2021 17:47:49
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Supervisor Serna,

I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who works in Sacramento.

Why do we have so much money for enforcement and so little for social
services?&nbsp;I urge you to give the 4 million dollar sheriff surplus to community run
911 alternatives.

A person experiencing a health crisis is 16 times more likely to be killed by law

enforcement. Law enforcement is not equipped to manage these complex mental and
general health needs. &nbsp;

We need funding for mental health, medics, and community run 911 alternatives. We
911 alternatives instead of continuing to just lock up and/or inflict violent harm on poor
people and people struggling with mental and other health issues.

Sincerely yours,

Lori Klett Roberto, Ph.D.

Clinical Psychologist&nbsp;
California License PSY 20491

601 University Avenue #222

Sacramento, CA&nbsp;95825
www.DrLoriRoberto.com
(916) 206-1741

Certification in Clinical Hypnosis, ASCH

Assistant Professor, California Northstate University
Lecturer, Sacramento State University
CARE Chair,&nbsp;Sacramento Valley Psychological Association

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From: Jessa Cruz [[email protected]]
To: Supervisor Serna [[email protected]]
Subject: No Jail Expansion, Fund 911 Alternatives
Date: Wednesday, February 17, 2021 17:26:09
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Supervisor Serna,

My name is Jessa Kay Cruz, and I reside and work in Sacramento. I've lived here for almost a decade,
and I love this city and my community dearly.

When I look at our county budget, I can't help but ask why we have so much money for enforcement and
so little for social services?&nbsp;I urge you to give the 4 million dollar sheriff surplus to community run
911 alternatives. Other cities that have been early adopters of funding 911 alternative programs have met
with great success and ultimately, cost savings.

A person experiencing a health crisis is 16 times more likely to be killed by law enforcement. Law
enforcement is not equipped to manage these complex mental and general health needs. &nbsp;

We need funding for social workers, medics, and community run 911 alternatives. Continuing to lock up
people who are poor, unsheltered or struggling with addiction or mental health issues does nothing to
address the causes of the problems or to address public safety. And arresting or jailing people is
ultimately more expensive than finding them the resources they need.

Thank you for your time,

Jessa Kay Cruz

From: Ann Clark [[email protected]]
To: Supervisor Serna [[email protected]]
Subject: Community Mental Health funding not Jail Funding
Date: Wednesday, February 17, 2021 12:55:57
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hello Supervisor Serna,

My name is Ann Clark. My address is 2656 Castro Way, Sacramento 95818. I am a

Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

When I look at our county budget, I can't help but ask why we have so much money for
enforcement and so little for social services? We desperately need to&nbsp; focus on
changing the structural injustices that lead to the racial disparities we see in
policing.&nbsp;&nbsp;

I urge you to give the 4 million dollar sheriff surplus to community run 911 alternatives.
A person experiencing a health crisis is 16 times more likely to be killed by law
enforcement. Law enforcement is not equipped to manage these complex mental health
needs.

We need funding for social workers, medics, and mediators. We need funding to change
the system instead of continuing to just lock up poor people and people struggling with
mental illness.

Thank you for your time,

Ann Clark, LCSW

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&nbsp;
Ann Clark, LCSW
916-296-6972
[email protected]
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 065

From: Deirdre Hill

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: I am My Brother"s Keeper
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 9:10:11 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

It is imperative that we respect all human beings. A crisis can happen at any moment. If one of
your loved ones needed emergency care after 6 p.m. and I told you that I was not going to
fund a program to help them, I'm sure you would think that was atrocious. We must treat every
human being like they are our brother sister mother Auntie Grandma Tia abuela Grandmama
big mama big daddy whatever it is that you call your family members. Please do not treat
human beings as unworthy of care.

Deirdre Hill
[email protected]

Sacramento , California 95825

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 066

From: Victoria Tognozzi

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Mental health
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 8:49:46 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Please prioritize funding for community mental health services. I worked in a county jail and
have seen first hand how officers are not trained or capable of handling the seriously mental ill
who make up a huge percentage of the jail population. Allocate funding for services and
mental health crisis workers to deal the homeless, addicts and other “crimes” that can be de-
escalated and mitigated with the proper intervention.

Thank you

Victoria Tognozzi
[email protected]

Carmichael, California 95608

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 067

From: Rebecca McGuire

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: No to prison expansion projects
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 6:12:58 PM

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To whom it may concern, 
More jails or prisons isn't the answer.  Get the unhoused off of the streets and keep the cops
away from them. 
I belive community run 911 alternatives will be far more useful than more jails to lock people
up.
Anyone who votes for more jails is classist and racist. 
Other cities have saved so much money reducing police presence and investing in their
communities.  Pick one and follow their model?
Sincerely,
Rebecca McGuire 
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 068

From: Casey Thompson

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: People’s Budget Sacramento
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 7:55:51 PM

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Board Clerk,

Dear Supervisor Serna,

I am writing once again to implore you to vote in support of the People’s Budget and put the
needs of the community first. We need services, not law enforcement. Please put the interests
of the people above those of real estate developers and other business interests who profit off
their immiseration.

Casey Thompson
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95816

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 069

From: Josie Morales

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: people"s budget Sacramento demand
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 4:40:59 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

I'm writing to demand that the County Board of Supervisors divert the proposed funds from the
Sheriff's Dept. and use those funds in investments in mental health and social services, as
well as a decline in the Sheriff's Dept.
Law enforcement was never designed as social workers.

We all know the Sheriff's Union does not support Board Chair and Supervisor Serna and is
against the good citizens of Sacramento.

Please be sensible and listen to your citizens!

Sincerely,
Josie Morales
District 4

Josie Morales
[email protected]

Antelope, California 95843

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 070

From: Marie Nudi

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Please invest in our communities!
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 8:09:25 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

I support this program, please fund it with $15 million diverted from the overfunded
Sacramento Sheriff's department.

Marie Nudi
[email protected]

Antelope, California 95843

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 071

From: Kristin Dobbin

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public comment Feb 24 meeting agenda item 4
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 4:02:27 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear supervisors - I am a resident of District 1 writing to firmly support the creation of
a community-run 911 alternative and insist that the program is developed to be a full,
sustainable 24/7 program not a pilot with limited hours or funding. The agendized
amount: $107,372 is laughable compared to the need in our county and outrageous in
the context of inflated county salaries like that of sheriff Scott Jones. Even the
discussed $1.5 million is far inadequate and would set this program up for failure.
There is precedent from other cities but we know that in order to have an impact the
investment must be significant. Further I reject any potential general fund funding.
We, your constituents, want to see a meaningful transfer of resources from policing
and incarceration into community health and services. We know that such programs
can fundamentally transform our community in a way that policing and incarceration
never can. Let us show you. Lastly, the community based program needs to be run
and managed independently without any collaboration from police to ensure its
legitimacy and efficacy. This must include a community advisory board made up of
impacted residents.

- Kristin Dobbin
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 072

From: Emily Whitfield

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public Comment for 2/24 Board Mtg.
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 7:18:53 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Supervisors, 

Re: Approve Proposed Pilot Approach For A 911 Alternative Response And Call
Center Program

This program needs to be funded to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure 24/7
services. The Antioch PD recently killed a man during a mental health crisis. The
police ARE NOT trained to deal with those experiencing such issues. Put the right
people out there to do the job they're TRAINED for.

We need a community advisory board with impacted people to inform the design and
implementation of alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health and
homeless needs. This needs to represent the people being served.

There must be independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that
give immediate and low barrier access to services. Again, let those who are
PROPERLY TRAINED do what they're trained for. The police are not the solution.

This effort must not be removed from its context, which is a national call for
reinvestment of law enforcement dollars into our communities. The budget must not
become bloated for UNTRAINED police officers responding to calls they have NO
business responding to. You can truly serve and protect our community by putting our
tax dollars towards the appropriate resources.

Thank you,

Emily Whitfield, MPA (95817)

Returned Peace Corps Volunteer
Honduras, 2010-2012
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 073

From: Rebekah Turnbaugh

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public comment for Status Report on Alternative Responses to 911 Emergency Calls
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 11:53:23 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

My comment can be read aloud.

I am pleased that the County is looking to alternative responses to emergency or crisis calls. I would like
to echo the calls of others in prioritizing the following:

That this program be funded for success at a level of $15 million, and that we don't spend two
years in a pilot program phase.
That there are accountability measures put in place, including an advisory board composed of
people most impacted, prioritizing people of color and people with mental health disabilities. 
That there be an independent dispatch unit that is not connected with law enforcement that gives
immediate and low barrier access to services.
That at least some of this funding come from reinvesting law enforcement money, keeping in mind
the context for this effort. We are not interested in parallel systems, but true alternatives to law
enforcement in moments of crisis, meeting people where they are at.

Thank you for your attention.

Warmly,

Rebekah Turnbaugh (she, her, hers)

Assistant Director of Outreach
St. John's Lutheran Church
O: 916.352.7630
1701 L Street
Sacramento, CA 95811

My regular work-week is Sunday through Thursday, so I will be less responsive to email on Friday and
Saturday. I have shifted to working from home because of COVID-19. I should be reachable at the
number in my signature between 9am and 5pm Sunday through Thursday. If I miss your call, I will call
you back as soon as I am able.

We are a Reconciling in Christ congregation

Click here to learn more about St. Johns! 

1701 L Street | Sacramento, California 95811 

916.444.0874 | www.stjohnslc.org
Live God's Love in the World!
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 074

From: Nicholas McConnell

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public comment on 911 alternatives
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 6:12:37 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

To the Board of Supervisors:

Community-based mental health support is an urgent need throughout the county. The Sheriff's
Department is not prepared, suited, or enthusiastic to address urgent mental health needs in our
communities, and police response too often ends with our neighbors dead or severely injured. It is
estimated that up to 75% of people killed by police annually in the US have a mental illness, and people
of color and people with disabilities are disproportionately harmed and killed by law enforcement. We
need real alternatives rooted in health equity and racial justice to repair the harm that’s been done and do
better for future generations.

I support the following demands by People's Budget Sacramento, reflecting what our community
members have repeatedly told you we need:
1. We demand a program be funded to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure 24/7 services.
2. A community advisory board with impacted people to inform the design and implementation of
alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health and homeless needs.
3. Independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give immediate and low barrier
access to services.
4. We demand that this effort not be removed from its context, which is a national call for reinvestment of
law enforcement dollars into our communities.

Locally in Sacramento we have a powerful alternative model in Mental Health First, and the County
should fund MH First as a contracted advisor to the development of a City/County model.

Nicholas McConnell
Sacramento
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 075

From: Gwynnae Byrd

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: public comment on 911 budget - today"s meeting
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 8:05:44 AM

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I strongly support money being allocated to provide non-law enforcement emergency services for people in crisis.
Every day I see people who could use help in some way - usually mental health services, but also substance abuse or
social welfare services too. At those times I think “wouldn’t it be great if there were a parallel phone # to 911 that I
could call to get this person help” - an emergency # that wouldn’t be perfunctory - ie just “move the person along”
to another street corner, or land the person in jail. Law enforcement services should be used for people who are
dangerous. There are many people who are confused or hungry or in crisis due to other issues that could be managed
if only there were services to help them. These people could become productive citizens instead of a drain on our
county budget, if only they were given a little boost.
Much research has been done on how much money would actually be saved if only we invested a decent amount up
front. Let’s be smart about how we use county dollars, by ending the revolving door of street-to-jail-to-street and by
not wasting law enforcement officers’ time in having them respond to these non-safety-related calls.
Thank you for listening.

~Gwynnae Byrd
Sacramento, CA
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 076

From: Emily Bell

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public Comment Regarding Proposed Pilot Approach For A 911 Alternative Response And Call Center Program
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 1:08:06 PM

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Please properly fund a 911 Alternative Response and Call Center Program.

The program needs to be fully funded with $15 million that we can divert from the boated
Sheriff's department budget. Scott Jones has made it clear that he doesn't want to respond to
mental health and homeless crises anymore, and this would help! The police were not ever
meant to be social service providers and this would take a lot off of their plate and save
members of our community. 

To make this alternative, non-law enforcement mental health response program happen we
need a community advisory board that has members of the impacted community on it to help
design and implement it. We need a 24/7 call line separate from 911 for folks to call during
mental health and homelessness crises. MH First has already been doing this work and would
be a great group to advise on a City/County model of this program. There are other cities in
other states doing this successfully and we can look to them for more inspiration.

Asking law enforcement to handle mental health and homeless crises has resulted in large
amounts of wasted money, over-incarceration (which also ends up costing lots of taxpayer
money) and preventable deaths. It has not been working and we need change! You see it on
the news what feels like everyday at this point. This could help us turn things around and
make our community truly safer for future generations. No one should go to jail or be killed
for suffering from homelessness or a mental health crisis! That is inhumane. Throwing more
money into jails and into the Sheriff's budget isn't working, hasn't worked, and won't
magically start working. It is beating a dead horse. Thank you for your time!

Emily Bell
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 077

From: Robert Stone

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public Comment
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 7:58:04 PM

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money must be divested from law enforcement and invested in community programs! We
demand: $15 million for 24/7 mental health services!
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 078

From: Ann Gerhardt

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public Comment
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 6:34:23 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Please allocate sufficient money to alternative methods of addressing mental health 911
calls.  Police aren't trained and do it wrong.  No one in a mental health crisis should be at
risk of being shot or otherwise killed when they are in a mental health crisis.  Sheriff Jones
and police who confront ill people with violence are incompetent and inhumane in this
regard.  YOU can advance a humane approach for the county's people who need help, not
violence, by allocating at least $15million to 911 mental call support.
Thank you,
Ann Gerhardt, MD
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 079

From: Jackie V.
To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public Comments 2/24 911 Alternatives
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 9:05:28 PM

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Hello,

I'm Jackie Va and I'm a resident and voter of Sacramento, CA.

I want to make a public comment pertaining to the meeting on 2/24. I want the unspent $4
million dollars from the sheriff's budget to be used to create a sustainable 24/7 mental health
crisis program that runs without police interference. I want this program to be a permanent
solution and not just a pilot project. I also want an independent Behavior Health Advisory
Board that is focused on 911 alternatives, that do not involve the police. We need safer
solutions for our community.

Best,
Jackie
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 080

From: Clarissa Stockton

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Put the money into the hands of those best equipped to make change.
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 6:35:48 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

My family has lived in Sacramento all my life and has also had the trajectory of our lives
changed by mental illness. Many times law enforcement was involved and didn’t know how to
handle the situation. Try as they might have police officers and sheriffs ARE NOT TRAINED
TO HANDLE MENTAL HEALTH CRISES, nor should they be. There are a ton of trained
professionals right here in Sacramento that are ready and willing to take this project on, LET
THEM. The police should be tasked with apprehending those that are accused of committing
crimes. They should not be involved with the situations and systems that arise and cause the
crises in the first place. That is the job of social workers, counselors, community organizations.
Why aren’t these people able to do these jobs properly? THE FUNDING.

This program and the PROPER FUNDING is necessary and anything less is NEGLECT of
citizen and MISAPPROPRIATION OF FUNDS.

Demands:
-We demand this program be funded to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure 24/7
services.
-A community advisory board with impacted people to inform the design and implementation of
alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health and homeless needs.
-Independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give immediate and
low barrier access to services.
-We demand that this effort not be removed from its context, which is a national call for
reinvestment of law enforcement dollars into our communities.

Recommendations:
—Response teams should consist of mental health clinicians, peers with lived experience,
social workers, and medical clinicians

—Expertise should be de-escalation, trauma-informed, behavioral health-centered, and

responsive to race, culture, gender, and disability

—Crisis services must include housing and shelter, mental health assessment and services,
food, water, and other survival needs, medical care and medication, and crisis stabilization
and respite centers

Clarissa Stockton
[email protected]
Antelope, California 95843
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 081

From: Sally Smith

To: Nottoli. Don; Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Reallocate $4 Million Sheriff"s Surplus
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 11:17:56 AM

Hi,

I’m writing to comment on agenda item #4 and urge you to support reallocating the $4 million Sheriff’s surplus to
proven community-run 911 alternatives.

Response teams should consist of mental health clinicians, peers with lived experience, social workers and medical
clinicians. The aim should be de-escalation, trauma-informed approaches to behavioral health, and cultural
competence. The responders’ toolkit should include housing and shelter, mental health services, basic survival
supplies, medical care, crisis stabilization, and respite centers.

Thank you,
Sally Smith
Elk Grove, CA
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 082

From: diane francis

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Reinvest in our communities
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 5:27:58 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

SUPERVISOR PHIL SERNA,

I am a resident in district 1 and I urge Sacramento to fund a 911 alternative! We have a

RESPONSIBILITY to reinvestment law enforcement dollars into our communities. Black,
indigenous and other people of color, and people with disabilities, are disproportionately
harmed and killed by law enforcement. It is estimated that 50-75% of people killed by police
annually in the US have a mental illness. We need real alternatives rooted in health equity and
racial justice to repair the harm that’s been done and do better for future generations.

Diane Francis

diane francis
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95817

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 083

From: Madeline Sabatoni

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Sac Co 911 Alternatives
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 8:24:26 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Hi Sup Serna,

I want to voice my support for 911 alternative services in Sac County. There should be
services that fit the needs of the communities they serve.

Response teams should consist of mental health clinicians, peers with lived experience, social
workers, and medical clinicians

Expertise should be de-escalation, trauma-informed, behavioral health-centered, and

responsive to race, culture, gender, and disability

Crisis services must include housing and shelter, mental health assessment and services,
food, water, and other survival needs, medical care and medication, and crisis stabilization
and respite centers

Thank you,
Madeline Sabatoni

Madeline Sabatoni
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95820

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 084

From: Catherine Xia

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Sac County 911 Alternatives - Feb 24th 2021
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 7:35:15 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Please seriously commit to funding emergency crisis alternatives, especially for mental health
crises, that do not involve the police department. The police have a job to do and it is not that
of a trained social worker or counselor or therapist, etc. This will be a huge step in shifting our
community norms towards a safer future for everyone.

Catherine Xia
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95822

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 085

From: Alexandra Fernandez

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Sac County 911 Alternatives
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 9:58:47 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

The summer of 2020 here in Sacramento was a time when the people found their voice to
stand up for whats right. We protested, we wrote letters, we called in, we voted on behalf of
the Black Lives Matter Movement, which the board chose to directly ignore when they decided
on this years budget. But we do not give up. Funding alternatives to 911 for the people of
Sacramento is an EASY way for you to let your constituents know that you hear us and
understand our concerns. Funding from the sheriff's already overflowing budget is the obvious
answer for how we can make this happen. Everyday citizens already have great ideas and
plans for what these 911 alternatives will look like, and MH First is already an established
program following this model. We are begging for the health and well being of everybody. This
administration continues to fail us. Please help us to establish independent dispatch systems,
not connected to law enforcement, that give immediate and low barrier access to services.
Law enforcement has had their chance to show us that they can take mental health crisis
seriously and the only results they have yielded have been wasting money, over incarceration,
and preventable death. Thank you for your time.

Alexandra Fernandez
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95816

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 086

From: Shani Buggs

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Sacramento County 911 alternatives
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 8:48:59 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hello,

As a resident of Sacramento County, I have witnessed too many harmful encounters between the Sacramento
Sheriffs Department and members of our community who needed behavioral health, substance abuse, or conflict
mediation support versus armed, aggressive law enforcement.

We need a viable alternative to police who can respond to emergency situations without the threat of humiliation,
arrest, or physical harm, particularly from weapons.

Our people deserve better than what we have, and the Sheriffs Department is not the answer.

We must have a police-free emergency dispatch system, and we MUST invest surplus dollars and other funds going
to the Sheriffs Department toward non-law enforcement solutions to crises among our neighbors and residents.

Thank you.

Shani Buggs
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 087

From: Shannon Enrico

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Sacramento County 911 Alternatives
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 8:50:21 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

2020 was a picture of how our leaders in Sacramento failed the people of Sacramento. It is
time to divert funding from an inflated sheriffs budget and invest in alternatives to 911 calls.
Specifically funding mental health and crisis services. As a Sacramento county resident, I
support this program, I believe funding it will be a huge step forward for the entire community.

Shannon Enrico
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95820

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 088

From: Nazli Seewer

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Sacramento County 911 alternatives
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 8:49:36 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

As a clinical Psychologist and concerned citizen I support this program, please fund it with $15
million.
Response teams should consist of mental health clinicians, peers with lived experience, social
workers, and medical clinicians

Expertise should be de-escalation, trauma-informed, behavioral health-centered, and

responsive to race, culture, gender, and disability

Crisis services must include housing and shelter, mental health assessment and services,
food, water, and other survival needs, medical care and medication, and crisis stabilization
and respite centers

Nazli Seewer
[email protected]

Cameron Park, California 95682

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 089

From: Mo Kashmiri
To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Support alternative 911 services for $15 million
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 7:53:47 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Please support $15 million for Sac County 911 alternatives. We demand this program be
funded to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure 24/7 services. The Board of Supervisors
should divert these funds from the bloated Sheriff’s Department budget. The Sheriff receives
the lion’s share of our public dollars and yet reports an average of $4 million in unspent dollars
per year. The point of this program is to fund services that Sheriff Jones has publicly stated he
has no interest in providing, such as responding to mental health or homeless needs. During
budget hearings, Sheriff Jones said he wants to “get out of the business” of taking these calls,
and the Department is already not meeting the required response times. While not everyone
supports the defunding of the police, the majority of the community members supports higher
investments in mental health and social services and a decline in the Sheriff’s Department.
Law enforcement was never designed to be a social service provider.

2. A community advisory board with impacted people to inform the design and implementation
of alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health and homeless needs. The
County can look to the Denver STAR community board for an example, which includes Black,
Latinx, and Muslim representatives and of course, people with disabilities. Amid the economic,
social, and health crisis that we are experiencing, It is even more important for our Board
Members to listen to the Sacramento residents.

3. Independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give immediate and
low barrier access to services. The #1 priority reflected in People’s Budget survey data is
community-based mental health support. This requires an independent emergency phone
number and 24/7 dispatch system so communities can feel safe to call it during crisis, and not
fear potential interaction with law enforcement.

Luckily here in Sacramento we already have an established program following this model, MH
First. The County should fund MH First as a contracted advisor to the development of
City/County models. Behavioral Health has held two listening sessions so far with over 100
attendees and creative, community-based ideas that consistently highlighted the need for
models like MH First and Community Support Teams, not Mobile Crisis Support Teams that
are dominated by law enforcement. Why is the County Executive so focused on Mobile Crisis
Support Teams, which involve law enforcement? If you have a toothache, are you going to ask
a cardiologist to fix it? We have been asking cops to fix mental health crises for far too long.
The results are a huge waste of money, over-incarceration, and even preventable death at the
hands of law enforcement.
4. We demand that this effort not be removed from its context, which is a national call for
reinvestment of law enforcement dollars into our communities. Black, indigenous and other
people of color, and people with disabilities, are disproportionately harmed and killed by law
enforcement. It is estimated that 50-75% of people killed by police annually in the US have a
mental illness. We need real alternatives rooted in health equity and racial justice to repair the
harm that’s been done and do better for future generations.

Mo Kashmiri
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95811

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 090

From: Teresa Flores

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Support alternatives to the Sheriff’s 911 Response
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 7:49:19 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Whereas the current proposal is not nearly enough and we demand more, it’s a modest start.
In order to truly make this work, we need:

Response teams should consist of mental health clinicians, peers with lived experience, social
workers, and medical clinicians

Expertise should be de-escalation, trauma-informed, behavioral health-centered, and

responsive to race, culture, gender, and disability

Crisis services must include housing and shelter, mental health assessment and services,
food, water, and other survival needs, medical care and medication, and crisis stabilization
and respite centers

These things will truly make our community safer and focus not just on criminalizing but
actually healing and restoring our community b

Teresa Flores
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95831

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 091

From: Rose-Stella Pierre-Louis

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Support the 15 Million Budget - Data doesn"t lie
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021 8:10:47 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Dear Don,

Hopefully this does not fall on deaf ears or is ignored. I am a practicing Occupational Therapist
fpr 14 years. I have seen the harmful health effects of no mental or health support for our
neighbors. This is at the root of all issues that plague the community. Skilled professionals like
myself know how to support people and children.

I am in full support of the 15 million dollar budget. The services have been needed for years
and police officers are not the solution. Resources that are inclusive of all human beings is
absolutely appropriate use of OUR taxes.

Now is the time to make significant changes given the overwhelming data showing that
thenway things have been done actually harm and kill people.

Thank you,
Rose

Rose-Stella Pierre-Louis
[email protected]

Soda Springs, California 95724

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 092

From: Claire Etcheverry

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: “Approve Proposed Pilot Approach For A 911 Alternative Response And Call Center Program”
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 3:14:07 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Mr. Desmond, 

As citizen in your district of Sacramento County, I am asking that $15 million be reallocated from
the sheriff's department budget to finance the following recommendations of the citizen survey
referenced below.

568 people who participated in the two listening sessions or the community input survey,
overwhelming recommended the following:

Response teams should consist of mental health clinicians, peers with lived experience,
social workers, and medical clinicians
Expertise should be de-escalation, trauma-informed, behavioral health-centered, and
responsive to race, culture, gender, and disability
Crisis services must include housing and shelter, mental health assessment and services,
food, water, and other survival needs, medical care and medication, and crisis stabilization
and respite centers

Thank you,
Claire Etcheverry
5324 Billie Street
Fair Oaks, CA 95628
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 093

From: bonnie chiaverini

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 2/24 Jailing Vote
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 10:45:14 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hello,
My name is Bonnie Chiaverini and I'm a resident of Sacramento County.  I'm writing to voice
my support of voting against the expansion of the main jail and funding of the "mental health"
jail and to ask that you instead use the funding for alternatives to 911 like Eugene's Cahoots
model.

Thank you
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 094

From: Z K Colbert
To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 911 Alternatives Program for Sacramento
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 10:35:52 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

The Sacramento County 911 Alternatives program should not be a 2 year pilot program but
instead be funded to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure the mental health support
(crisis) team is not just during business hours but 24/7 as lapses in mental wellness are not
scheduled nor only happen during the weekdays.
It is also imperative that the program include a community advisory board that consists of
Black, Brown, and Indigenous community members who are the most impacted people of not
just law enforcement but also of racist health systems that have long histories of not providing
mental health "care" but instead more trauma and oppression.

The County should fund MH First as a contracted advisor to the development of City/County
models. Behavioral Health has held two listening sessions so far with over 100 attendees and
creative, community-based ideas that consistently highlighted the need for models like MH
First and Community Support Teams.

Z K Colbert
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95814

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 095

From: Dannah O’Donnell

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 911 Alternatives
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 8:29:59 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

The Sheriff has made it clear he has no interest in mental healthcare, nor should he. Money
must be diverted from the Sheriffs budget to fund alternatives to 911. Not only is it better for
trained professionals to assist people in crisis, it is better for officers to not have to be exposed
to the unique trauma that responding to someone experiencing a mental health crisis can
cause. They are ill-equipped for such response.

I concur with the recommendations put forth at the listening sessions:

-Response teams should consist of mental health clinicians, peers with lived experience,
social workers, and medical clinicians

-Expertise should be de-escalation, trauma-informed, behavioral health-centered, and

responsive to race, culture, gender, and disability

-Crisis services must include housing and shelter, mental health assessment and services,
food, water, and other survival needs, medical care and medication, and crisis stabilization
and respite centers

It is imperative you act quickly. Not one more life needs to be lost (nor settlement paid out) due
to overwhelmed and unprepared officers reacting to mental health crises.

Thank you,
Dannah O’Donnell

Dannah O’Donnell
[email protected]

Sacramento , California 95817

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 096

From: Dan Allison

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 911 Alternatives
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 3:35:07 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

I support robust funding for the 911 Alternatives program, about double the current proposal
so that it is 24/7. I support taking the funding from the Sheriff’s Depatment.

Dan Allison
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95814-5822

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 097

From: Kathleen Ransom

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 911 Alternatives
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 2:19:33 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

This is a MUST. People trained to help and support are needed.

Response teams should consist of mental health clinicians, peers with lived experience, social
workers, and medical clinicians

Expertise should be de-escalation, trauma-informed, behavioral health-centered, and

responsive to race, culture, gender, and disability

Crisis services must include housing and shelter, mental health assessment and services,
food, water, and other survival needs, medical care and medication, and crisis stabilization
and respite centers.

Regards,
Kathleen

Kathleen Ransom
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95816

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 098

From: Jolie Terrazas

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 911 Alternatives
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 9:34:23 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Dear Supervisor,
I am writing to you from the ancestral land of the Nisenan, Southern Maidu, Valley Miwok, and
Me-wuk First Nations, i.e. the greater Sacramento Area. I am a resident of District 2. Do you
personally know any Black, indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC)? Do you have a trusting
relationship with them? Have you walked with them, talked with them? You cannot see me, if
you did, you would see that I present as White. I have people of color in my family. In my
experience, the men especially have had a very different experience living in Sacramento than
I have. Maybe it’s because of this that I think and feel the way I do about how when people
experiencing mental health crises end up being killed by law enforcement officers who don’t
appear to have de-escalation or other proper training, which, although they might have the
privilege of living, must suffer the conscience of having killed someone, on top of the stress
and any danger they already face working in law enforcement. So there’s the impact this has
on me, and there’s the impact this has on people of color in my family, and there’s the
potential deadly impact of tragedy for my family members and members of our community
should they experience a mental health crisis. I don’t know if you have a family like mine, or
who the people are who are close to you, whom you trust and can have an open conversation
with about issues like this. But I invite you to really consider the deadly consequences of
approving inadequate funding for 911 alternative programs. I'm writing to very strongly urge
you to use 15 million dollars to fully fund 24/7 services. Start with using funds from the bloated
Sherriff's department (using $4 million of unspent money is not defunding police). This fully-
funded approach must also include a diverse Advisory Board that reflects our community so
that people in my family my see someone there who has lived and experience more similar to
theirs than I have. There’s a whole host of other demands that I know my fellow community
members have reached out to you about. Please listen to me, to them, and recognize you can
use your power to save lives of those experiencing mental health crises, which could be
potentially members of my family, and members of our human family, our community.

Jolie Terrazas
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95822

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 099

From: aidan willett

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 911 Community Based Alternatives
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 10:21:56 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Dear,
Sacramento County Board of Supervisors

My name is aidan willett. i’m a part time student and part time worker in the area and have
lived here my entire life. i have grown up in Oak Park for most of my time here and have
experienced the utter failure of the police to keep my community safe and urge that more
funding be allocated to the upcoming community program designed to be an alternative to the
failed project of “community policing”. while $1.5 million is a great start, more funding is
necessary to ensure its stability for years to come. given the rise in economic instability,
housing injustice, food insecurity, et. al., there will increasingly be stress out on the average
citizen. instead of lining the pockets of the sheriffs office, our tax dollars need to be spent on
better solutions; solutions that the community is actively engaged in.

aidan willett
[email protected]

sacramento, California 95817

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 100

From: Shauna Heckert Pandelidis

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Agenda Item #4 BOS mtg 2/24/21
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 5:49:06 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Regarding Agenda Item Item #4 for meeting on 2/24/21

I support the creation and county funding of an alternative to the existing law enforcement
“911” response program to address mental health and homeless issues. The funds ($15
million) should be diverted from the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department and the program should
not be under the direction of law enforcement. To design and oversee this program, I approve
the creation of a community advisory board comprised of mental health experts, affected
community members and members from advocacy groups working on mental health and
homeless needs.

Shauna Heckert Pandelidis

[email protected]

Carmichael, California 95608

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 101

From: Mary Howard

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Alternative Responses to 911 Calls
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 8:59:02 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

As a resident of Carmichael who is interested in keeping our community safe

AND protecting the lives of ALL its citizens, I urge the Board of Supervisors to
adopt and FUND the following measures:

Response teams should consist of mental health clinicians, peers with lived
experience, social workers, and medical clinicians

Expertise should be de-escalation, trauma-informed, behavioral health-

centered, and responsive to race, culture, gender, and disability

Crisis services must include housing and shelter, mental health assessment
and services, food, water, and other survival needs, medical care and
medication, and crisis stabilization and respite centers

Mary Howard
Sent from my iPad
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 102

From: Erin Duarte

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Alternatives to 911
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 2:28:50 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

It is past time for our community to systematically dismantle the racist tactics used to
incarcerate people of color as well as address everyone in a moment of crisis who is suffering
from trauma resulting in mental health needs. There is a better way to help people and protect
our community at the same time.

Erin Duarte
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95826

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 103

From: Alfred Melbourne

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Alternatives to community safety
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 7:53:06 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

We need you all to consider other options than over policing communities of color specifically.
Would love to have another line to contact in case of a need for support other than police.
Please consider completely funding other options. Do not underfund and set up for failure.
Thank you so much.

Alfred Melbourne
[email protected]

Sacramento , California 95811

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 104

From: Molly Roy

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Approve Proposed Pilot Approach For A 911 Alternative Response And Call Center Program
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 4:13:46 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hello, I am a born-and-bred Sacramento resident, and I support this program, please fund it
with $15 million. Thank you,

Molly Roy
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 105

From: Zuri KColbert

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Approve the Alternative to 911 Program
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 11:21:39 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Good Evening, 

My name is Zuri K. Colbert and the Founder of CLAP Community Lead Advocacy Program.
CLAP is an org that provides resource support and has reach outs for all of the Sacramento
area but specifically areas that are underserved. This is the case for Patrick Kennedy's district
of 95828 where many residences struggle during and before the COVID 19. 

CLAP was formed due to the menial support services, racial trauma, and privation of
resources for our marginalized communities. CLAP is in full support of an alternative program
to 911 and has participated in the listening sessions, BOS meetings, as well as workshops to
provide input and feedback as a community organization and in support of our community
members. 

The Sacramento County 911 Alternatives program should come from the Sheriff's budget
from start and into the future. The response team for the 911 Alternatives should not include
law enforcement but instead should be trained professionals with mental health and substance
abuse lived experience, cultural competency, and experiences of being unsheltered.
Sacramento already has a dynamic model of a program named MH First that is a trusted team
of trained staff that responds to our community and has been successful. The County should
fund MH First as a contracted advisor to the development of City/County models.
 
The 911 Alternatives Program should be a one year pilot program at the most and then be a
fully funded program that runs 24/7 for Sacramento community members. 

It is also imperative that the program include an independent community mental health
advisory board that provides oversight and input of the 911 Alternatives program to assure
success. The board should consist of Black, Brown, Indigenous Sacramentans and those who
have been unsheltered. POC and our unsheltered have been the most impacted by law
enforcement and racist health systems that have long histories of not providing mental health
"care" but instead more trauma and oppression. The program should also have "on demand"
mental health/substance abuse treatment and housing so community members who are in crisis
are not awaiting for help during crisis situations. 

CLAP hopes fhat all of the above items will be implemented in the 911 Alternatives Program. 

CLAP*Community Lead Advocacy Program* Sacramento

Email: [email protected]
Website: clapsac.com
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 106

From: [email protected]
To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Bd of Supervisors Mtg 2-24-21 Agenda item 4
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 8:58:24 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Board of Supervisors,
Money   must   be divested from law enforcement and invested in community programs.  I support the Peoples
Budget Sacramento demands for $ 15 million to be used for 24/7 mental health services to fund the 911
alternative response call center program and any other programs and services proposed in their budget and
correspondence to you. Please approve the People's Budget Sacramento. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Tamara Lacey
Sacramento Resident
Women For Equality

 
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 107

From: Jules Scott

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Better alternatives
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 8:01:08 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

I have written in a few times over the last several months, almost a year since the beginning of
the BLM protests that were sparked by the brutal killing of George Floyd. It's clear that it's well
past time for police reform. It's clear that even body cams don't stop corrupt cops. It's clear
that the community not only wants but needs alternatives.
Today you will be discussing the idea of taking a small amount of money (in comparison to the
entire budget) from the sheriff's department budget to invest in 911 alternatives.

I and many others have come to you all with the pros of advocating for and taking care of our
community. Services, not more arrests and killings, are what we need to make real change in
our city and county.
If I have to put this in plain terms that shows you not only how this benefits others, but will also
benefit those who support the police/sherrifs department:
-cops will have less to do, and will be able to better focus on their jobs of serving and
protecting Sacramento.

If your argument is that diverting funds won't help the sheriffs department, you're wrong.

Militarized police, many of whom are power hungry and trigger happy, are not going to help
someone in a mental health crisis.
Let trained professionals who know how to de-escalate and will do so without weapons look
out for those who are mentally ill or in crisis.

Jules Scott
[email protected]

SACRAMENTO, California 95823

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 108

From: Patricia Mccarthy

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: County money
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 9:00:59 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Please reallocate the Sheriff’s surplus funds to 911 alternatives to mental health crises. This is important and needed.
The sheriff’s department is not equipped or trained for these emergencies.

Sent from my iPhone

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 109

From: Naomi Gould

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Create 911 alternatives
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 9:46:54 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

The amount of police violence against the Black community on a daily basis is beyond
troubling. I fear for my husband and child's lives on a DAILY basis because of the color of their
skin. Every should have equal access to public safety and help. Having 911 police alternatives
would be a huge step in the right direction. Those with mental issues especially do not need to
see a gun or uniform when in the midst of a mental break. This is not just something us locals
want, it is something we all NEED. Please stand up for your constituents and create 911 police
alternatives and provide adequate funding for police alternatives. We desperately need this.

Thank you,
-Naomi

Naomi Gould
[email protected]

Sacramento , California 95818

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 110

From: Theodore Goodwin

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Feb. 24, 2021 HearingOppose plan to expand jail facility
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 7:13:07 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Please distribute this statement to all supervisors

To the Honorable Supervisors of Sacramento County:

I submit this statement to you as a resident of Sacramento County for the past 29 years. I am a retired attorney.

I oppose the expansion of the county jail facilities for the following preseasons and I raise additional appropriate
issues:

1. Instead of incarcerating people with mental health problems, the county should provide them with mental health
treatment.

2. Instead of arresting and using firearms to subdue people with mental health problems, trained mental health
professionals should appraise active situations,  and determine whether or not individuals need to be detained or
cared for without criminal charges be initiated.

3.  People should be provided with mental health services in the communities where they reside.

4. Mental health problems will become worse as a result of incarcerating people with mental health and psychiatric
problems.

5. Inmates who have Covid-19 contamination should be released to places of treatment, especially if families wish
to care for them.  They will not be cured inside jail facilities.

6. Sacramento should have a community-based, civilian board that reviews issues of alleged inappropriate violence
and incarceration of residents. The District Attorney has an inherent conflict of interest in evaluating alleged police
and sheriff misconduct.

Sincerely, Theodore S. Goodwin

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 111

From: Z K Colbert
To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Fund A 24/7 911 Alternative Program
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 9:35:48 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

The Sac County 911 Alternatives program should be funded for success with $15 million
invested to ensure 24/7 services. Another imperative part of the program should include a
community advisory board with those in Sacramento who are the most impacted people to be
a part of the implementation of alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health
and homeless needs.

Z K Colbert
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95828

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 112

From: Abby Maurer

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Fwd: Public Comment on 911 Alternative Programs
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 2:10:11 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

I'm sorry, but I forgot to include the meeting information for this comment. It is for the
meeting on 2/24/21 at 2:30 and it is Item #4.

---------- Forwarded message ---------

From: Abby Maurer <[email protected]>
Date: Tue, Feb 23, 2021 at 2:01 PM
Subject: Public Comment on 911 Alternative Programs
To: <[email protected]>

I would like to express my support to fully fund the proposed 911 alternative for individuals
experiencing mental health crises. To the extent that there are concerns about where the
funding should come from, I believe it should be taken from the Sheriff's Office budget. This
proposal would reduce reliance on the Sheriff's Office to address mental health emergencies,
thus it makes sense to reallocate funds from them. Furthermore, reallocating funds from the
sheriff would support the racial justice goal (and, I'd argue, necessity) of divesting from law
enforcement.

Thank you for your consideration,

Abigail Maurer
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 113

From: Lydia Lee

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: In Support of 911 Alternatives
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 5:38:06 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Hello Supervisor,

I am writing to encourage you and your fellow supervisors to increase the delegated funding
for 911 alternatives. Sacramento County has the funds to develop and implement a holistic
alternative that would save lives and create a change in the culture surrounding emergency
dispatch. The issue is that those funds are tied up in the bloated Sheriff’s Department budget.
Sacramento County residents should not be terrified to use 911 because of the horror stories
of police brutality, especially regarding mental health emergencies and for callers who are
Black, or other people of color. Use your influence and position to guide the Board to make the
right choice, and increase funding to $15 million dollars to create a more effective and safe
alternative to the current 911 dispatch system.

Thank you,

Lydia Lee
District 4 Resident

Lydia Lee
[email protected]

Folsom, California 95630

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 114

From: Shauna Heckert Pandelidis

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Item #4 BOS agenda item 2/24/21
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 5:36:55 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Regarding Agenda Item Item #4 for meeting on 2/24/21

I support the creation and county funding of an alternative to the existing law enforcement “911” response program. 
The funds should be diverted from the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department and the program should not be under the
direction of law enforcement.   To design and oversee this program, I approve the creation of a community advisory
board comprised of mental health experts, affected community members and members from advocacy groups
working on mental health and homeless needs.

Shauna L. Heckert Pandelidis

5217 Whitney Ave
Carmichael, CA 95608
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 115

From: Laura McLellan

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Item 4: Approve Pilot Approach For A 911 Alternative Response And Call Center Program
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 6:29:04 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Board Members,

I write in support of Item 4 on the February 24, 2021 agenda: Approve the Proposed Pilot
Approach for a 911 Alternative Response and Call Center Program. 

I am impressed by and deeply appreciate staff's commitment to engage with the community to
improve the County's service to the public.

I urge the Board to consider increasing the proposed operating hours of the call center from
9am to 6pm, to 9am to 9pm. This would address an additional 15% of calls and provide much
needed support during the evening hours. If cost was an overriding consideration in not
selecting this approach, I urge the Board to consider running the Call Center from 9am to 9pm,
and running the Mental Health Response Team from 9am to 6pm. Many people in crisis could
be helped by this modification.

Thank you for your consideration of these comments and for your commitment to our
community.
Sincerely,

Laura McLellan
390 40th Street
Sacramento, CA
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 116

From: Laura Blosser

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Meeting 2/24/21 Agenda Item #4
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 7:52:53 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Clerk, 

My public comment is in regard to the BOS Meeting on 2/24/21 Agenda Item #4: Approve
Proposed Pilot Approach For A 911 Alternative Response And Call Center Program,
Amending Sacramento County Conflict Of Interest Code Adding 16.0 Full Time Positions
And Four Vehicles To Operate The Pilot Program, And Approve An Appropriations
Adjustment Request In The Amount Of $107,372 (AAR No. 2021-2027) (Health Services)

I fully support this initiative. 

I urge you to do the following: 

1. Fund it fully, with a minimum of $15 million. 

2. Operate it 24/7. Mental health crises don't care about business hours.
3. Collaborate with MH First, an amazing community resource that is already doing this
work. 
4. Take the needed funding from the Sheriff's Department, since this work will lighten
their workload. I hear they have a $4 million surplus.  

Additionally, do not authorize a $200 million jail expansion. This would not be money well
spent. It would not solve our problems. Our community deserves better. We deserve the type
of innovative solutions that have been rolled out by CAHOOTS in Eugene, Oregon, the STAR
Program in Denver, or the Traffic Enforcement program in Berkeley by unarmed DOT
employees. 

Let Sacramento be a leader in mental health and in saving lives. 

Thank you, 
Laura Blosser
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 117

From: Lois Skidmore

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: mental health services
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 4:04:18 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Please allocate 15 million of law enforcement money to 24/7 mental services.

Sent via the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G, an AT&T 5G smartphone
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 118

From: Diana Patterson

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: My ask
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 9:38:39 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

1. We demand this program be funded to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure 24/7
services. The Board of Supervisors should divert these funds from the bloated Sheriff’s
Department budget. The Sheriff receives the lion’s share of our public dollars and yet reports
an average of $4 million in unspent dollars per year. The point of this program is to fund
services that Sheriff Jones has publicly stated he has no interest in providing, such as
responding to mental health or homeless needs. During budget hearings, Sheriff Jones said
he wants to “get out of the business” of taking these calls, and the Department is already not
meeting the required response times. While not everyone supports the defunding of the police,
the majority of the community members supports higher investments in mental health and
social services and a decline in the Sheriff’s Department. Law enforcement was never
designed to be a social service provider.

2. A community advisory board with impacted people to inform the design and implementation
of alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health and homeless needs. The
County can look to the Denver STAR community board for an example, which includes Black,
Latinx, and Muslim representatives and of course, people with disabilities. Amid the economic,
social, and health crisis that we are experiencing, It is even more important for our Board
Members to listen to the Sacramento residents.

3. Independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give immediate and
low barrier access to services. The #1 priority reflected in People’s Budget survey data is
community-based mental health support. This requires an independent emergency phone
number and 24/7 dispatch system so communities can feel safe to call it during crisis, and not
fear potential interaction with law enforcement.

Luckily here in Sacramento we already have an established program following this model, MH
First. The County should fund MH First as a contracted advisor to the development of
City/County models. Behavioral Health has held two listening sessions so far with over 100
attendees and creative, community-based ideas that consistently highlighted the need for
models like MH First and Community Support Teams, not Mobile Crisis Support Teams that
are dominated by law enforcement. Why is the County Executive so focused on Mobile Crisis
Support Teams, which involve law enforcement? If you have a toothache, are you going to ask
a cardiologist to fix it? We have been asking cops to fix mental health crises for far too long.
The results are a huge waste of money, over-incarceration, and even preventable death at the
hands of law enforcement.
4. We demand that this effort not be removed from its context, which is a national call for
reinvestment of law enforcement dollars into our communities. Black, indigenous and other
people of color, and people with disabilities, are disproportionately harmed and killed by law
enforcement. It is estimated that 50-75% of people killed by police annually in the US have a
mental illness. We need real alternatives rooted in health equity and racial justice to repair the
harm that’s been done and do better for future generations.

Diana Patterson
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95835

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 119

From: Susan Jones

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Non-law enforcement responses to 911 calls
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 3:41:14 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

I urge you to divert $15 million from the Sheriff's Department budget, and put it towards (1)
services and housing for people who find themselves homeless, and (2) for mental health
responses to 911 calls. Law enforcement was never designed to be a social service provider.
It's estimated that 50 to 75% of the people killed by police annually in the US have a mental
illness. We help police by removing these calls from their duties, and we save other dollars by
not putting mentally ill people in jail at such a high rate.

Thank you,
Susan Jones
1573 49th Street
Sacramento 95819

Susan Jones
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95819

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 120

From: Amanda Bartell

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Police Response Alternatives
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 9:43:06 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

My name is Amanda Bartell, and I live in Supervisor Nattoli's district. Last year, in the midst of
the confinement of a pandemic, my 14 year old niece began to deal with her trauma of
childhood abuse by someone who is no longer in her life. She decided to call the non-
emergency line and asked if there was a way she could still get justice years later. They
dispatched an officer, who after hearing her story, told her the things she was saying sounded
extreme and he found it hard to believe. It's been months, there have been zero updates, no
call backs.

Imagine just being mature enough to deal with your biggest life trauma and being told "i don't
believe you" by the person you thought might help you get closure. And who our tax dollars go
to in order to do that. There are countless families out here with no answers about the status
of their requests for help. My niece should have never been met by a police officer that day.
She should have been met with a social worker or mental health professional who took her
seriously and responded appropriately.

Not only would the family's of loved ones who have reported abuse love to know the status of
their current complaints, but I also recommend:

Response teams should consist of mental health clinicians, peers with lived experience, social
workers, and medical clinicians

Expertise should be de-escalation, trauma-informed, behavioral health-centered, and

responsive to race, culture, gender, and disability

Crisis services must include housing and shelter, mental health assessment and services,
food, water, and other survival needs, medical care and medication, and crisis stabilization
and respite centers

Amanda Bartell
[email protected]

Elk Grove, California 95758

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 121

From: Tanya Talwar

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public Comment for 2/24 @2:30pm meeting agenda item #4
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 8:13:13 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Public Comment for 2/24 @2:30pm meeting agenda item #4:

"Hi, my name is Tanya Talwar and I am a medical student here in Sacramento County, and am a
member of Sacramento Street Medicine, an organization working to meet the health and resource needs
of Sacramento's unhoused community. In my time with SSM, I have seen the ways in which the police
response to certain emergencies, particularly those tied to mental health, substance abuse, and
homelessness, has caused detriment to the community and not resolved the situation at hand, and often
even more so for communities of color. From hearing the stories of folks living outside, I have learned a
great deal and started to better understand their perspective. We cannot provide solutions for a problem
for others without fully understanding the solutions that they need. For this reason, I believe it is of the
utmost importance for the design and execution of the Alternative Response system to be informed by
those who have experience facing these issues firsthand in their own lives. The creation of an
independent dispatch system fully independent from law enforcement is an important step, which has
been piloted and has succeeded by the efforts of community support teams such as MH First. MH First
and such community organizations should be serve as a contracted advisor for the pilot program as well
as a future 24/7 program. I hope to see funding come from the sheriff's department fund for mental
health and homelessness response. I ask that the proposed 2 year pilot program instead run for 1 year in
order to allow for a quicker transition to a 24/7 program. To properly devote attention to the work
regarding 911 alternatives, an independent Behavioral Health and Homelessness Advisory Board should
be created. In these alternatives, we must work toward restructuring programs for mental health and
substance abuse to be "treatment on demand" -- there should be treatment availability as soon as folks
need it in order to avoid crises, rather than being put on a wait list. I hope that you value the urgency of
this issue as much as the community in Sacramento County does, and that you provide the resources
necessary to work toward these solutions. Thank you for your time."

Tanya Talwar
Medical Student, Class of 2023
Class Co-President
California Northstate University College of Medicine
[email protected]
(925) 640-1136
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 122

From: Courtney Poole

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Cc: Supervisor Serna; Kennedy. Supervisor; Frost. Supervisor; Rich Desmond; Nottoli. Don
Subject: Public Comment on Agenda Item 4
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 9:20:18 PM

Good morning,

This comment on Agenda Item 4 can be read aloud.

My name is Courtney Poole, and I live in District 1.  As a social worker who has witnessed
first hand sheriff response to mental health crises, 911 alternatives are long overdue.  I
appreciate the work that has been put into this pilot proposal, but the $1.5 million budget is not
enough and we need a full 24/7 rolled out program now.

Please amend the current proposal to include the following:

Create a program that is 24/7.  Many mental health crises occur after business hours. At
least $15 million needs to be invested into this program in order for the program to
effectively support community needs.  If it is not 24/7, law enforcement will still largely
be involved in responding to mental health crises, which we already know is not
working!
take this money from the Sheriff's unspent budget.  Every year, the sheriff reports not
spending $4million, let's invest four years of this!  We need to divert these funds from
the sheriff.   This is part of the national call to reinvest law enforcement dollars into the
community and start taking care of each other instead of harming.
No collaboration with the police; this project needs to be independent of the police and
have an independent advisory board to inform the design and implementation of the
program.  We need the expertise of lived experience. 
ensure that these programs are allowed to interact with community members without
police involvement with independent dispatch systems.  We have a great model already
being implemented in sacramento called MH First.  That connected with community
mental health programs for follow up and services.

Thank you,
Courtney Poole
she, her, hers
(818) 620-5125
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 123

From: Katie Hymans

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Sac County 911 Alternatives - Feb 24th 2021 Meeting public comment
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 9:13:19 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

I fully support Sac County 911 Alternatives. Enough with criminalizing people for having
mental health challenges. I agree with the following demands:
1. We demand this program be funded to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure 24/7
services.
2. A community advisory board with impacted people to inform the design and implementation
of alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health and homeless needs.
3. Independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give immediate and
low barrier access to services.
4. We demand that this effort not be removed from its context, which is a national call for
reinvestment of law enforcement dollars into our communities.

No more over-funding law enforcement. It quite literally kills.

Please find Sac County 911 Alternatives for mental health services.

Katie Hymans
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95811

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 124

From: Kristyn Williams

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Sac County 911 Alternatives
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 2:42:49 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

As a resident of Sacramento and a participant of the People’s Budget Sacramento, our

demands are as follows:
1. We demand this program be funded to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure 24/7
services. The Board of Supervisors should divert these funds from the bloated Sheriff’s
Department budget. The Sheriff receives the lion’s share of our public dollars and yet reports
an average of $4 million in unspent dollars per year. The point of this program is to fund
services that Sheriff Jones has publicly stated he has no interest in providing, such as
responding to mental health or homeless needs. During budget hearings, Sheriff Jones said
he wants to “get out of the business” of taking these calls, and the Department is already not
meeting the required response times. While not everyone supports the defunding of the police,
the majority of the community members supports higher investments in mental health and
social services and a decline in the Sheriff’s Department. Law enforcement was never
designed to be a social service provider.

2. A community advisory board with impacted people to inform the design and implementation
of alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health and homeless needs. The
County can look to the Denver STAR community board for an example, which includes Black,
Latinx, and Muslim representatives and of course, people with disabilities. Amid the economic,
social, and health crisis that we are experiencing, It is even more important for our Board
Members to listen to the Sacramento residents.

3. Independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give immediate and
low barrier access to services. The #1 priority reflected in People’s Budget survey data is
community-based mental health support. This requires an independent emergency phone
number and 24/7 dispatch system so communities can feel safe to call it during crisis, and not
fear potential interaction with law enforcement.

Luckily here in Sacramento we already have an established program following this model, MH
First. The County should fund MH First as a contracted advisor to the development of
City/County models. Behavioral Health has held two listening sessions so far with over 100
attendees and creative, community-based ideas that consistently highlighted the need for
models like MH First and Community Support Teams, not Mobile Crisis Support Teams that
are dominated by law enforcement. Why is the County Executive so focused on Mobile Crisis
Support Teams, which involve law enforcement? If you have a toothache, are you going to ask
a cardiologist to fix it? We have been asking cops to fix mental health crises for far too long.
The results are a huge waste of money, over-incarceration, and even preventable death at the
hands of law enforcement.

4. We demand that this effort not be removed from its context, which is a national call for
reinvestment of law enforcement dollars into our communities. Black, indigenous and other
people of color, and people with disabilities, are disproportionately harmed and killed by law
enforcement. It is estimated that 50-75% of people killed by police annually in the US have a
mental illness. We need real alternatives rooted in health equity and racial justice to repair the
harm that’s been done and do better for future generations.

Kristyn Williams
[email protected]

Rancho Cordova, California 95670

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 125

From: Matt Jones

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Sac County 911 Alternatives
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 8:56:04 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Dear Supervisor Don Nottoli,

I am writing to you in regards to the proposed funding of 911 Alternatives. As a near life long
resident of Rancho Cordova, I feel it is important that I voice my support for this initiative but
would like to add that the proposed budget is not nearly enough to allow these programs to
flourish. While $1.5 million sounds like a high number I believe that this is not nearly enough
and ask that you, while supporting this effort, also support a budget of no less than $15 million
to go towards programs that will help foster the well being of all people within our county
instead pumping yet even more money into one that fosters fear and anxiety, i.e. the Sac
Sheriff’s Department. I hope that you make the right decision in recognizing that what this
county needs is less guns, armor, anger, and badges and more empathy, opportunity, and
groups of trained professionals whose options include understanding and helping and not
handcuffing and shooting.

Thank you,

Matt Jones

Matt Jones
[email protected]

Rancho Cordova, California 95670

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 126

From: Kristina Gelardi

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Sacramento County alternatives to 911
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 7:36:52 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Thank you Supervisor Serna for your advocacy to ensure that our community dollars are
invested in services that support the well being of our residents. San Fransisco Department of
Public Health had just reported preliminary findings on their pilot Crisis Response Street
Team, which results showing excellent outcomes of mental health oriented services replacing
police response. I urge you and your colleagues to turn to them and other programs such as
CAHOOT on Eugene to support your efforts.

Below are additional critical criteria for success:

Response teams should consist of mental health clinicians, peers with lived experience, social
workers, and medical clinicians

Expertise should be de-escalation, trauma-informed, behavioral health-centered, and

responsive to race, culture, gender, and disability

Crisis services must include housing and shelter, mental health assessment and services,
food, water, and other survival needs, medical care and medication, and crisis stabilization
and respite centers

Thank you,
Kristina Gelardi

Kristina Gelardi
[email protected]

SACRAMENTO, California 95816-3217

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 127

From: Elise Fandrich

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Sacramento County needs alternatives to police response
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 9:45:11 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

The county has a long history of failing to invest in the needs of our communities - mental
health, services for people experiencing homelessness, and climate resiliency and
environmental justice.

I grew up in unincorporated sacramento county and now live in Sacramento and like so many,
am heartbroken and angry that we have not adequately addressed problems of
homelessness. The status quo does not work. Continuing to invest in more police will not
work. We need community-driven solutions that provide meaningful assistance and services to
people experiencing homelessness. Police cannot and should not be providing that service.

Please fully fund alternatives to policing and listen to the community.

Elise Fandrich
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95819

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 128

From: bob erlenbusch

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email; [email protected]; Nottoli. Don; Nava. Lisa; Kennedy. Supervisor;
Hedges. Matt; Frost. Supervisor; Riley. Keaton; Cavanaugh. Cynthia; Wagstaff. Bruce; Sloan. Rebecca; Edwards.
Ann; Rich Desmond; McCarthy-Olmstead. Vanessa; Supervisor Serna
Subject: SRCEH Comments on Alternative 9-1-1 agenda item #4
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 5:23:35 PM
Attachments: Outlook-1466610323.png

Board of Supervisors-  The Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness [SRECH]

overall supports the concept of an Alternative 9-1-1 Response and Call Center- with the
following comments and recommendations:

1.  The Board must reiterate to the community that the goal is create a sustainable 24/7
mental health and homelessness crisis response program, without law enforcement
interference;
2. The staff recommendation is 1 year too long- we will know what we need to at the end
of the one year pilot project- so we can move expeditiously to stand up a 24/7 program 
3. The funding for the one year pilot and into the future must come from the Sheriffs
department budget
4. The interdisciplinary teams must reflect the diversity of the community- this includes
people with lived experience of homelessness and recovery; diversity in terms of
ethnicity - with an emphasis on black, brown and indigenous people; age and gender
identity
5. MH First [Oak Park] be hired as a contracted advisor to the County to help evaluate the
one year pilot and help build out the 24/7 program
6. There must be an independent Behavioral Health & Homelessness Advisory Board
focused on this 9-1-1 Alternative and not try to "shoe horn" it onto the existing Mental
Health Advisory Board
7. If we want the pilot and 24/7 program to be successful- this program must have places
to send people- and not put on a waiting list- which means we must redesign the
current mental health and AO"D programs to be treatment on demand.

I look forward to your response to our recommendations

Bob
Founding Guiding Principle:
Public policymakers and the community must address the underlying issues of structural racism and its intersections
with class, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disabilities, and the political, economic and social
structures that create
and perpetuate hunger, homelessness, the lack of decent affordable housing and disinvestment in neighborhoods of
color

Bob Erlenbusch
Executive Director
Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness [SRCEH]
Mailing Address:
1026 Florin Road, #349
Sacramento, CA 95831

M:  916.889.4367
www.srceh.org

Tax id#:  46-3175193

all donations are tax deductible
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 129

From: Alison Ball

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Status Report on Alternative Responses to 911 Emergency Calls”
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 2:57:17 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

As a resident of Sacramento, I want to see our community divest from law enforcement and
put that money towards mental health services, non-emergency services that do not involve
police and their weaponry, social services programs, and investments that lift our communities
up.
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 130

From: VICKY SCHROEDER

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Status Report on Alternative Responses to 911 Emergency Calls
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 7:24:28 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Please reallocate the $4 million Sheriff's surplus to proven community-run 911
alternatives.  Deputies are most often called to provide services for marginalized
community members and lack specific training leading to arrest, injury and trauma. 
The community demands diversion of law enforcement funds to organizations which
provide real services instead of entry into the prison-industrial complex.
Thank you.
Vicky Schroeder
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 131

From: Kathryn Canepa

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Support of Alternative Mental Health Response with budget modifications
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 9:22:43 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Dear Supervisors,

I am a resident of County District 1 and am writing in support of the 911 Alternative Response
And Call Center Program. This is what Sacramento County residents have been asking for.
This program has great potential as a pilot, but will not be successful unless it is better staffed
and provides 24/7 access. To create a service that county residents feel confident using, this
program needs additional funding - if you or someone else is having an emergency that
demands a fast response, the last thing you want to have to think about is whether your call
might be ignored because it isn't during business hours. Don't set up this pilot for failure by
failing to invest - the Sherriff's budget can spare a lot more funding. Please fund this program
with at least $5 million, if not $10. Existing models for Alternative Mental Health response, like
Mental Health First Sac, already exist to build upon. Use those resources to create a robust
program that will truly be able to transform this community.

Thank you for your time,

Kathryn Canepa

Kathryn Canepa
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95816

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 132

From: Monica Wilkinson

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: We demand alternatives to 911
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 9:16:30 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

I support this program to provide 911 alternatives. Members of our community suffering from
mental illness do not deserve to be traumatized by police presence when they are in a crisis.
Police are not trained to handle mental health crises, and they are primed to react violently. In
this situation, a person trained in mental health response would do better. Furthermore, mental
health crises can happen any time of day, not just during business hours, so it is vital that this
911 alternative service is available 24/7.

Monica Wilkinson
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95841

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 133

From: Christina Ung

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: We Demand
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 7:35:08 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

1. We demand this program be funded to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure 24/7
services. The Board of Supervisors should divert these funds from the bloated Sheriff’s
Department budget. The Sheriff receives the lion’s share of our public dollars and yet reports
an average of $4 million in unspent dollars per year. The point of this program is to fund
services that Sheriff Jones has publicly stated he has no interest in providing, such as
responding to mental health or homeless needs. During budget hearings, Sheriff Jones said
he wants to “get out of the business” of taking these calls, and the Department is already not
meeting the required response times. While not everyone supports the defunding of the police,
the majority of the community members supports higher investments in mental health and
social services and a decline in the Sheriff’s Department. Law enforcement was never
designed to be a social service provider.
2. A community advisory board with impacted people to inform the design and implementation
of alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health and homeless needs. The
County can look to the Denver STAR community board for an example, which includes Black,
Latinx, and Muslim representatives and of course, people with disabilities. Amid the economic,
social, and health crisis that we are experiencing, It is even more important for our Board
Members to listen to the Sacramento residents.
3. Independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give immediate and
low barrier access to services. The #1 priority reflected in People’s Budget survey data is
community-based mental health support. This requires an independent emergency phone
number and 24/7 dispatch system so communities can feel safe to call it during crisis, and not
fear potential interaction with law enforcement.
Luckily here in Sacramento we already have an established program following this model, MH
First. The County should fund MH First as a contracted advisor to the development of
City/County models. Behavioral Health has held two listening sessions so far with over 100
attendees and creative, community-based ideas that consistently highlighted the need for
models like MH First and Community Support Teams, not Mobile Crisis Support Teams that
are dominated by law enforcement. Why is the County Executive so focused on Mobile Crisis
Support Teams, which involve law enforcement? If you have a toothache, are you going to ask
a cardiologist to fix it? We have been asking cops to fix mental health crises for far too long.
The results are a huge waste of money, over-incarceration, and even preventable death at the
hands of law enforcement.
4. We demand that this effort not be removed from its context, which is a national call for
reinvestment of law enforcement dollars into our communities. Black, indigenous and other
people of color, and people with disabilities, are disproportionately harmed and killed by law
enforcement. It is estimated that 50-75% of people killed by police annually in the US have a
mental illness. We need real alternatives rooted in health equity and racial justice to repair the
harm that’s been done and do better for future generations.

Christina Ung
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95824

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 134

From: Joseph Marcus

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 2/24 Agenda Item #4
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 8:38:09 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Sacramento BOS,

I'm writing to request that the board supports genuine alternatives to 911 by fully
implementing the program and not putting on half measures. As a program implementor as
well as a monitoring and evaluation researcher, I understand that to truly evaluate the
effectiveness of any program it has to have the resources to succeed and the time to workout
initial start-up issues. Anything other than that is setting the program up to fail so that
authorities can say "oh we tried and it didn't work." Well, if that were to happen to this
alternative to 911, it would only be because you did not want it to work. Moreover, as
someone who used to work with law enforcement across the country, I often heard police say
things like "we aren't social workers," "we shouldn't be on social work or mental health calls."
And we couldn't agree more.

According to the U.S. DOJ, about 10% of all calls for service are mental health-related. And 1
our of 3 people in a mental health crisis are transported by law enforcement. If this program is
up and running it will clearly save many lives and police/sheriff resources.

That is why the community is requesting that you fully fund this program with at least $15
million and use the money that the sheriff's department would be saving especially given the
fact that they received the vast majority of the COVID emergency funds. The alternative 911
should be operational 24/7 for at least 2 years.

Help get law enforcement out of the health system and protect the community.

Thank you,
Joseph
-----
Joseph Marcus
(202) 378-8561
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 135

From: Jimmy Garrido

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 911 Alternative
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 11:36:47 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Dear Supervisors,

I believe the Sac County Sheriff has demonstrated that it is not capable of responding to non-
violent calls without often times using excessive force. In the past, even the Sheriff has
publicly said he is open to alternative responses to mental health and homelessness calls.

I support funding alternative 24/7 response teams so people can access the help they need
without fear of being harmed by law enforcement. I urge you to support this funding as well.

Jimmy
Arden resident

Jimmy Garrido
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95864

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 136

From: Emily Edmond

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 911 Alternatives
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 10:20:43 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

. We demand this program be funded to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure 24/7
services. The Board of Supervisors should divert these funds from the bloated Sheriff’s
Department budget. The Sheriff receives the lion’s share of our public dollars and yet reports
an average of $4 million in unspent dollars per year. The point of this program is to fund
services that Sheriff Jones has publicly stated he has no interest in providing, such as
responding to mental health or homeless needs. During budget hearings, Sheriff Jones said
he wants to “get out of the business” of taking these calls, and the Department is already not
meeting the required response times. While not everyone supports the defunding of the police,
the majority of the community members supports higher investments in mental health and
social services and a decline in the Sheriff’s Department. Law enforcement was never
designed to be a social service provider.

2. A community advisory board with impacted people to inform the design and implementation
of alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health and homeless needs. The
County can look to the Denver STAR community board for an example, which includes Black,
Latinx, and Muslim representatives and of course, people with disabilities. Amid the economic,
social, and health crisis that we are experiencing, It is even more important for our Board
Members to listen to the Sacramento residents.

3. Independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give immediate and
low barrier access to services. The #1 priority reflected in People’s Budget survey data is
community-based mental health support. This requires an independent emergency phone
number and 24/7 dispatch system so communities can feel safe to call it during crisis, and not
fear potential interaction with law enforcement.

Luckily here in Sacramento we already have an established program following this model, MH
First. The County should fund MH First as a contracted advisor to the development of
City/County models. Behavioral Health has held two listening sessions so far with over 100
attendees and creative, community-based ideas that consistently highlighted the need for
models like MH First and Community Support Teams, not Mobile Crisis Support Teams that
are dominated by law enforcement. Why is the County Executive so focused on Mobile Crisis
Support Teams, which involve law enforcement? If you have a toothache, are you going to ask
a cardiologist to fix it? We have been asking cops to fix mental health crises for far too long.
The results are a huge waste of money, over-incarceration, and even preventable death at the
hands of law enforcement.
4. We demand that this effort not be removed from its context, which is a national call for
reinvestment of law enforcement dollars into our communities. Black, indigenous and other
people of color, and people with disabilities, are disproportionately harmed and killed by law
enforcement. It is estimated that 50-75% of people killed by police annually in the US have a
mental illness. We need real alternatives rooted in health equity and racial justice to repair the
harm that’s been done and do better for future generations.

Emily Edmond
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95814

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 137

From: Tiki Harlow

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Agenda Item #4, Feb 24 Board of Supervisors Meeting
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 10:23:22 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Board of Supervisors,

I am writing today to urge the board to:

1) Fund this program to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure services are available 24
hours a day, 7 days a week.  The Board should divert these funds from the massive Sheriff’s
Department budget.  These funds are needed to respond to the needs of people who are
unhoused and/or dealing with mental illness; programs that Sheriff Jones has clearly expressed
a lack of interest in providing.

2) Provide a community advisory board that includes impacted people to inform the design
and implementation of alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health and
homeless needs. The Denver STAR community board provides an excellent example with its
inclusion of people with disabilities, Black, Muslim, and Latinx community members.

3) Provide independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give
immediate and low barrier access to services.  The Peoples’ Budget survey data showed that
the #1 priority is to provide community-based mental health support.  This will require an
independent emergency phone number with dispatch 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so that
communities feel safe to call during crisis without fear of potential interaction with law
enforcement.  Our established local program, MH First, provides an excellent model as well as
a source for advising and development.  It is essential that this service is NOT provided by a
Mobile Crisis Support Team dominated by law enforcement.

4) Remember the larger context of this issue: a national cal for reinvestment of law
enforcement dollars into our communities.  Black, indigenous and other people of color, and
people with disabilities are disproportionately harmed and killed by law enforcement.
Estimates are that 50-75% of the people killed by police each year have a mental illness.  We
need real alternatives rooted in health equity and racial justice to repair the harm that’s been
done and to do better for future generations.

Sincerely,

Tiki Harlow
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 138

From: David Harlow

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Agenda Item #4, Feb 24 Board of Supervisors Meeting
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 10:33:22 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Board of Supervisors,

I am writing today to urge the board to:

1) Fund this program to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure services are available
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  The Board should divert these funds from the massive
Sheriff’s Department budget.  These funds are needed to respond to the needs of people
who are unhoused and/or dealing with mental illness; programs that Sheriff Jones has
clearly expressed a lack of interest in providing.

2) Provide a community advisory board that includes impacted people to inform the design
and implementation of alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health and
homeless needs. The Denver STAR community board provides an excellent example with
its inclusion of people with disabilities, Black, Muslim, and Latinx community members.

3) Provide independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give
immediate and low barrier access to services.  The Peoples’ Budget survey data showed
that the #1 priority is to provide community-based mental health support.  This will require
an independent emergency phone number with dispatch 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so
that communities feel safe to call during crisis without fear of potential interaction with law
enforcement.  Our established local program, MH First, provides an excellent model as well
as a source for advising and development.  It is essential that this service is NOT provided
by a Mobile Crisis Support Team dominated by law enforcement.

4) Remember the larger context of this issue: a national call for reinvestment of law
enforcement dollars into our communities.  Black, indigenous and other people of color, and
people with disabilities are disproportionately harmed and killed by law enforcement.
 Estimates are that 50-75% of the people killed by police each year have a mental illness.
 We need real alternatives rooted in health equity and racial justice to repair the harm that’s
been done and to do better for future generations.

Sincerely,

David Harlow
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 139

From: Cindy McCullough

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Agenda item #4-Alternatives to 911
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 10:12:56 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Good morning:
My name is Cindy McCullough. I am a behavioral health specialist serving children and adults
with autism in Sacramento County. I am writing today to encourage the BOS to reallocate $4
million of the Sheriff Department's surplus to community alternatives to 911. For the past 20
years, I have worked with high risk populations-adults and children with severe autism, adults
with schizophrenia, and youth identified with mental illness. When in a criss, the families I
serve are TERRIFIED to reach out to the police for help. They fear that their loved ones will
not be able to comply with police demands due to their disability and will wind up dead. I
recently worked with a young man who engaged in self injurious head banging to the extent
the head banging episode resulted in brain injury. Parents did not call the police for help as
they feared that call would result in further trauma. They specifically stated that they feard
calling the police would result  in the incarceration of their severely  disabled and cognitively
delayed son or worse that the phone call would result in his death as he would not be able to
comply with police instructions.  I would love for the families that I have served to have the
opportunity to reach out to an emergency mental health team post discharge from my services
if needed. They need to have access to individuals certified in crisis prevention intervention
and  who are familiar with their disability.  It is not helpful to have the police come into a
situation with guns.  It is not helpful to have the police to show up in a situation and not know
how to communicate with a severely disabled population. There are many accounts of
individuals with autism being shot by the police because they did not have the mental capacity
to comply and there are numerous examples of people with autism dying because of excessive
force.
Sacramento can and should do better!  Please help to protect this vulnerable population by
allocating these funds to community alternatives to 911.

--
Cindy McCullough
408-596-0607
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 140

From: Audrey Boochever

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Agenda item 4 comment
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 9:11:13 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hi Mr. Serna,

I would like to leave a comment on today’s (2/24/21) agenda item 4. I urge you to relocate $30 million of the
sheriff’s surplus to community-run 911 alternatives. As a PhD researcher on justice-system reforms and education,
as well as an educator and community member, these divestments from the sheriff’s office and investments into our
community are vital.

Thank you,
Audrey Boochever
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 141

From: Dale Bierce

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: agenda item to take action on
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 8:43:07 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

I urge my district supervisor to comment on agenda item #4 and demand that the $4 million
Sheriff’s surplus be reallocated to community run 911 alternatives.
 
I live in zip code 95825.
 
Thank you,
 
Dale Bierce
916-307-7979
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 142

From: [email protected]
To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Agenda item#4
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 8:00:18 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Please redirect excess Sheriff's funds to public services that prevent crime: ie. drug rehab, subsidized housing for
low-income people, mental health crisis services, etc. Law enforcement intervention does not address the root causes
that preclude most criminal activities.
Margaret Burnett

Sent from my iPad

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 143

From: Zuri KColbert

To: Nottoli. Don
Subject: ALTERNATIVES TO 911
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 8:00:47 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

It is beyond imperative for our families and youth that Sacramento implement a 24/7
alternatives for 911 program. 

For over 10 years myself and family have experienced unexpected unsafe severe violations
while raising our children and providing the best for quality of life. We have been severely
stalked, hacked, and targeted when we had nothing to do with the people doing it nor ties to
any activity that warranted it. I worked and participated in the Sacramento community my
whole life. Never once been arrested, ever had a criminal record, nor ever had even a psych
eval. The piece about the psych eval and criminal record is important due to the absolute
implicit bias that has occurred when violations have occurred to myself as a Black Mom but
other Black community members where there is an unfortunate constant proving that you are
mentally sane or worthy of safety support when someone's mental health status or history
should never humanely determine that. 

Although stalking, hacking, is an extremely disturbing act of emotional violence that doesn't
occur everyday - it was something for our family that was not just happening on a regular
basis but when ignored escalated. It is extremely dangerous and scary for our children being
raised in the home where my daughter grew up. We moved 3 times in 3 years so as to protect
my daughter and my own life as she went to school and I was going to work. Because there
was absolutely no ties to the emotional violence and physical violence that occurred we
attempted all safety pre-cautions parents can take when someone is targeting you and putting
out information on your family or youth to those who mean harm.  It has occurred since my
daughter was 12 years old and she is now in college. It first began with me receiving
unpermitted but insurmountable calls, voicemails, messages, followed at my job and emails
forwarded and then when that was ignored or problem solved then carried over to my daughter
as she grew up. When we made changes and resolve there, it didn't get better it got worse
where my daughter was still called off the hook and then solicited when we had zero zero zero
to do with this type of lifestyle or any partaking in any bad or criminal activities lifestyle. 

The activity would die down then show up in another form which became dangerous as a
single mom raising her daughter. We lived in a beautiful home, providing the very best of
service activities, sports to raise my daughter right. I worked hard to bring my daughter and
the children in my family but we had to move where my daughter mainly grew up due to the
absolute on-going issues where not even innocent kids aren't off limits. I can't tell you how
many incidents occurred that were so dangerous and had nothing to do with that we now know
someone was putting out our information to involve us so you are forced to react or respond.
When the person is outed or people start catching on, then they re-narrate their
stalking/hacking as if they were doing it to "help" or be some "hero" when they were the ones
putting an innocent mom and kid in the situation in the first place for their own gain.  I know
that there are great leaders who know me or have tried to help me and my family but for this to
be continuing after insurmountable, impactful, life changes, financial and honestly emotional
toll is not help, especially when I nor my child ever met you in all our lives and you frankly
are not welcomed in our life for this type of "harmful help". They are now being paid for the
devaluing and harm they caused is not "help" to me.   
 It has affected not just quality of life, mental well being, but my business, and
emotional/physical safety at this point. Of course, not everything is that or as a result of
someone stalking you but when it has occurred for years upon years as a parent, woman,
human you have to look into all bizarre activity especially to halt it for your children. There
evidently was an issue of mental wellness for the person (s) doing this form of inhumane cruel
harm to moms and kids. The 911 alternatives program that focuses on crisis resolution instead
of incarceration would have helped a mother like me who experienced this and knows that
there are other mothers, women, youth who feel unsafe but can see the person violating has
mental disturbness and needs mental health help. Especially when it is the same gender or the
same ethnicity you know the system will villify the person and it is not something that you
want, even when they are so mentally ill that they want it for you. Please take this example as
a reason to implement a 911 Alternatives program for mothers, families in the community who
deserve safety choices and well being as every human deserves.  

--

CLAP*Community Lead Advocacy Program* Sacramento

Email: [email protected]
Website: clapsac.com
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 144

From: Sara Garcia Paez

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Approve Proposed Pilot Approach For A 911 Alternative Response And Call Center Program
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 12:37:03 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

I request my comment be read aloud and entered into the record.

Dear County Board and Supervisor Serna,

As a concerned resident in your district, I urge you to approve the proposal for alternatives to
911. We urgently NEED to invest in community-based alternatives to safety. This program
needs to be approved and fully funded with at least $15 million so it can have a real shot of
being fully operational 24/7. If only partially funded, it will be unable to truly provide an
alternative to 911.

As a reminder- the community wants: --Response teams that consist of mental health
clinicians, peers with lived experience, social workers, and medical clinicians
-Focus and expertise on de-escalation, trauma-informed, behavioral health-centered, and
responsive to race, culture, gender, and disability
-Crisis services that must include housing and shelter, mental health assessment and
services, food, water, and other survival needs, medical care and medication, and crisis
stabilization and respite centers.

Thank you,
Sara Garcia Paez

Sara Garcia Paez

[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95816

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 145

From: edna shoemaker

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email; Supervisor Serna
Subject: Board Meeting of 2/24/21 - Comment re. Agenda Item # 4
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 9:55:34 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hello-

I am urging you to reallocate the $4 million Sheriff’s surplus to proven community run 911 alternatives.

This is vital for the safety and security of Sacramento citizens.

Thank you,

E. Shoemaker
95835
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 146

From: Fallin Steffen

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: BOS Meeting 3-24-21, Item 4
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 10:50:23 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hello,

I am a district 3 resident And homeowner and I am writing today to support allocation of

funds towards a reliable alternative to 911 calls for mental health emergencies. I live in an area
that is impacted heavily by homelessness (Arden-Arcade) and and because I have witnessed
first hand how law enforcement is not equipped to adequately address mental health
emergencies, I am advocating for a new option that can help to keep the entire community safe
and well. Please see specific demands below.   

Thank you,

1. We demand this program be funded to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure

24/7 services. The Board of Supervisors should divert these funds from the bloated
Sheriff’s Department budget. The Sheriff receives the lion’s share of our public dollars and
yet reports an average of $4 million in unspent dollars per year. The point of this program is
to fund services that Sheriff Jones has publicly stated he has no interest in providing, such
as responding to mental health or homeless needs. During budget hearings, Sheriff Jones
said he wants to “get out of the business” of taking these calls, and the Department is
already not meeting the required response times. While not everyone supports the
defunding of the police, the majority of the community members supports higher
investments in mental health and social services and a decline in the Sheriff’s Department.
Law enforcement was never designed to be a social service provider.

2. A community advisory board with impacted people to inform the design and

implementation of alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health and
homeless needs. The County can look to the Denver STAR community board for an
example, which includes Black, Latinx, and Muslim representatives and of course, people
with disabilities. Amid the economic, social, and health crisis that we are experiencing, It is
even more important for our Board Members to listen to the Sacramento residents. 

3. Independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give

immediate and low barrier access to services. The #1 priority reflected in People’s
Budget survey data is community-based mental health support. This requires an
independent emergency phone number and 24/7 dispatch system so communities can feel
safe to call it during crisis, and not fear potential interaction with law enforcement.
Luckily here in Sacramento we already have an established program following this model,
MH First. The County should fund MH First as a contracted advisor to the development of
City/County models. Behavioral Health has held two listening sessions so far with over 100
attendees and creative, community-based ideas that consistently highlighted the need for
models like MH First and Community Support Teams, not Mobile Crisis Support Teams that
are dominated by law enforcement. Why is the County Executive so focused on Mobile
Crisis Support Teams, which involve law enforcement? If you have a toothache, are you
going to ask a cardiologist to fix it? We have been asking cops to fix mental health crises
for far too long. The results are a huge waste of money, over-incarceration, and even
preventable death at the hands of law enforcement.
Potentially repurposing a X11 number to serve as the independent dispatch
 system. Mandating routing to Alternative Response Dispatch for calls that do
come into 911 Dispatch Centers to ensure service delivery and track
diversion rates from Sheriff and Fire response.

4. We demand that this effort not be removed from its context, which is a national
call for reinvestment of law enforcement dollars into our communities. Black,
indigenous and other people of color, and people with disabilities, are disproportionately
harmed and killed by law enforcement. It is estimated that 50-75% of people killed by police
annually in the US have a mental illness. We need real alternatives rooted in health equity
and racial justice to repair the harm that’s been done and do better for future generations.
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 147

From: K Ram
To: Clerk of the Board Public Email; Rich Desmond
Subject: BOS meeting Wednesday, Feb 24, 2021
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 8:56:00 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear members of the board, 

I'm writing in regards to item #4 on today's 2/24 public meeting agenda, for the pilot program
for an Alternative to 911 Response Line and Call Center. I am urging you to support this
important program, but to support it for success. This means to raise the funding allocated to
this program to $15 million in order to ensure 24/7 services, which is what our community is
needing. 

Sheriff Jones has stated he doesn't want to be in the business of responding to mental health
crises, and yet, the department is more well-funded than any community services program.
You should reallocate funding for this program from the sheriff's bloated budget and not only
fulfill the sheriff's wishes, but invest in something truly helpful for those in our community. A
program like this can help *prevent* folks who are experiencing mental health issues and
crises from ever being incarcerated or criminalized. From where I stand, the alternatives to
911 program, IF properly funded, still looks like a much more affordable and definitely more
humane option than to build a jail annex that purports to help those with mental health issues
in the jail, but only keeps them locked in inhumane conditions and keeps them in a cycle of
unmet needs and incarceration, all while padding the pockets of the sheriff, his department,
and those they contract with. 

In addition to more funding, this program will succeed only if it is shaped by those most
impacted by the criminalization of mental health that is rampant in our county. The
program should have a community advisory board with a diverse group of residents, including
those with disabilities and black, latinx, and other minority groups overrepresented in the
homeless and jailed populations, as well as mental health experts (not law enforcement). The
Board can look to programs like Denver STAR for guidance on forming such a board.

Another key element to the program needs to be a response line that is easily accessible and
available 24/7, and have an independent dispatch system that is NOT connected to law
enforcement.  The phone number can be a repurposed X11 number or something else that is
easily memorized.  Routing calls to an alternative dispatch can track mental health calls that
are actually diverted from the sheriff and fire departments and ensure delivery of proper
services.  We need a community-based mental health response.  Luckily, Mental Health First
is already an important program in our county that provides a community-based model. We
need to fund MH First as an advisor to developing the response teams for the alternative
response lines on a county and city level.

Finally, it is clear from Behavioral Health's community listening sessions report that the
community wants the following:

Response teams should consist of mental health clinicians, peers with lived
experience, social workers, and medical clinicians
Expertise should be de-escalation, trauma-informed, behavioral health-centered,
and responsive to race, culture, gender, and disability
 Crisis services must include housing and shelter, mental health assessment and
services, food, water, and other survival needs, medical care and medication, and
crisis stabilization and respite center.

Please don't ignore the zeitgeist of the time we are living in. Black, indigenous and other
people of color, and people with disabilities, are disproportionately harmed and killed by law
enforcement, and it is estimated that 50-75% of people killed by police annually in the US
have a mental illness. We need to do better as a community to bring about health equity and
racial justice. We see your priorities in considering sinking $200 million for a jail expansion,
but an unwillingness to truly invest in the community and those whose full humanity has been
rejected by our county up to now.  As our county's BOS, I urge you to make sure that this
program is funded, funded for success, and to make sure that impacted members of our
community and the professionals who serve their needs, and NOT LAW ENFORCEMENT,
are at the table in developing this revolutionary and visionary program.  

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Keren Ram
District 3, Fair Oaks
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 148

From: Gretchen Jung

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Budget item #4 2.24.2021 meeting
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 10:14:26 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

I urge the County to used some of the Sheriff bloated budget to provide Humane services to people
in crisis instead of officers with deadly force. The Sheriff’s Department is in the top half of California
Sherriff’s in using deadly force. Let’s begin the reform of the Sheriff Jones kingdom by using $4 of the
 budget surplus for proven community run 911 alternatives. Thanks you,
 
Ps. I’ve share this message with others who want to control Sheriff Jones.
 
                                                Gretchen Jung
“The price of privilege is the moral duty to act when one sees another person treated
unfairly.”― Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents,  Isabel Wilkerson
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 149

From: Kathy Styc

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Budget item 4
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 12:25:58 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

I urge you to reallocate the $4 million Sheriff’s surplus to proven community-run 911
alternatives. 

As a resident of Sacramento County for 71 years, I am deeply disturbed by the

increase in the number of incidents that result in harm or death to members of our
community who are suffering mental health problems or distress.  Yes, those
situations can look scary, but they don’t have to result in injury or death as has
happened so tragically in recent years.  Trained crisis workers can frequently
successfully deescalate such situations.  Community-run agencies that are known
and trusted by the individuals and people in the community are in a position to
provide support services for marginalized people in their communities. 

People with mental health issues are not criminals.  Reacting to them as such is not
successful as we know by first-hand experience in this county and elsewhere
throughout the country.  So, this is an excellent opportunity to try a different approach
and reallocate the funds to community-run alternatives. 

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Styc
700 Commons Drive
Sacramento
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 150

From: Dynique Thompson

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Change policing
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 1:18:52 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

1. We demand this program be funded to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure 24/7
services. The Board of Supervisors should divert these funds from the bloated Sheriff’s
Department budget. The Sheriff receives the lion’s share of our public dollars and yet reports
an average of $4 million in unspent dollars per year. The point of this program is to fund
services that Sheriff Jones has publicly stated he has no interest in providing, such as
responding to mental health or homeless needs. During budget hearings, Sheriff Jones said
he wants to “get out of the business” of taking these calls, and the Department is already not
meeting the required response times. While not everyone supports the defunding of the police,
the majority of the community members supports higher investments in mental health and
social services and a decline in the Sheriff’s Department. Law enforcement was never
designed to be a social service provider.
2. A community advisory board with impacted people to inform the design and implementation
of alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health and homeless needs. The
County can look to the Denver STAR community board for an example, which includes Black,
Latinx, and Muslim representatives and of course, people with disabilities. Amid the economic,
social, and health crisis that we are experiencing, It is even more important for our Board
Members to listen to the Sacramento residents.
3. Independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give immediate and
low barrier access to services. The #1 priority reflected in People’s Budget survey data is
community-based mental health support. This requires an independent emergency phone
number and 24/7 dispatch system so communities can feel safe to call it during crisis, and not
fear potential interaction with law enforcement.
Luckily here in Sacramento we already have an established program following this model, MH
First. The County should fund MH First as a contracted advisor to the development of
City/County models. Behavioral Health has held two listening sessions so far with over 100
attendees and creative, community-based ideas that consistently highlighted the need for
models like MH First and Community Support Teams, not Mobile Crisis Support Teams that
are dominated by law enforcement. Why is the County Executive so focused on Mobile Crisis
Support Teams, which involve law enforcement? If you have a toothache, are you going to ask
a cardiologist to fix it? We have been asking cops to fix mental health crises for far too long.
The results are a huge waste of money, over-incarceration, and even preventable death at the
hands of law enforcement.
Potentially repurposing a X11 number to serve as the independent dispatch system.
Mandating routing to Alternative Response Dispatch for calls that do come into 911 Dispatch
Centers to ensure service delivery and track diversion rates from Sheriff and Fire response.
4. We demand that this effort not be removed from its context, which is a national call for
reinvestment of law enforcement dollars into our communities. Black, indigenous and other
people of color, and people with disabilities, are disproportionately harmed and killed by law
enforcement. It is estimated that 50-75% of people killed by police annually in the US have a
mental illness. We need real alternatives rooted in health equity and racial justice to repair the
harm that’s been done and do better for future generations.

Dynique Thompson
[email protected]

Sacramento , California 95832

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 151

From: Jennifer and Wayne Wood

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Comment on Agenda Item #4 Support diversion of $15 million from Sherriff to 911 alternative program
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 9:59:34 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Board of Supervisors,

I am writing to support the diversion of $15 million from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s
department to the 911 alternative program to address mental health responses by non-law
enforcement resources and personnel. Law enforcement personnel should not be expected
to carry this burden and the law enforcement system was never designed to be a social
service provider.

Please include the formation of a community advisory board with impacted people to inform
the design and implementation of alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental
health and homeless needs. The County can look to the Denver STAR community board for
an example.

Please look to MH First in Sacramento County and fund MH First as a contracted advisor to
the development of the County model. An independent dispatch systems, not connected to
law enforcement, that gives immediate and low barrier access to services requires an
independent emergency phone number and 24/7 dispatch system so communities can feel
safe to call it during crisis, and not fear potential interaction with law enforcement.

This is a not a call to “defund the Police”, but rather to actually support the Police by taking a
burden off their houlder by reinvesting law enforcement dollars into systems that are better
equipped to handle the symptoms of our current unjust system. Black, indigenous and other
people of color, and people with disabilities,are disproportionately harmed and killed by law
enforcement, with a large percentage of them suffering from untreated mental illness due to
deep societal inequalities. Please act boldly today to create a more humane approach to
mental health crisis response.

Jennifer Wood
[email protected]
2208 Gerber Ave, Sacramento
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 152

From: Pat Paul

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Comment--Agenda Item 4
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 11:53:34 AM

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I would like to see far more discretion in reallocating the $4 million Sheriff's surplus to proven community-run 911 alternatives.  In these days of Black Lives
Matter protests, this action would go a long way to showing the Sacramento region we are in fact committed to providing social justice across all our
communities and not just putting money back into the same old pot that already needs oversight.  This new approach is working in Denver (https://secure-
web.cisco.com/1DgO_3ac530mtDMEI-
sKadBBXD9h3oQmhEdUCoqwkT1OeFV2SFCweEt6JxAG3VpsgNzJSiPZC0669zwW3cF1wXXoyhPLvgSSsIIS7RlJCjJVUumKDpbSgYTgozF9iEix8OI7MNlF5EEDaAu98k11-
pHYJQXGcAZdJNQh3ai1rovFxQq4Ye0UjQjg0XHFv_rhjrOTZi1HlMIjFDtWtDFRv_YU7xoLVdxq5qdxE-
sNu1RBBCC4X88Nc6W4zH3bx6szx/https%3A%2F%2F2.zoppoz.workers.dev%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fwww.denverpost.com%2F2020%2F09%2F06%2Fdenver-star-program-mental-health-police%2F).  Let's
join other cutting-edge cities and do something better for all of our communities.
Thank you for consideration to this matter,
Pat Paul
Sacramento
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 153

From: Kim Sow

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Crisis
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 11:13:27 AM

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Board Clerk,

Greetings;

We are in a crisis right now. So many issues at hand. From social justice, homelessness to
covid. The lack of resources available are scarce. Suicide rates are increasing. Poverty is
increasing. Mental health is decreasing. I'm hanging on by a thin thread. Our society is in great
need. We need to be open to possibilities and change. We need to look into new systems to
treat all of the dis eases of life. People are truly suffering and in pain. We can do better for
each other. We CAN care about each other and create better systems. Time to be creative
and find solutions to these long time problems.
With Love and Blessings,

Kim

Kim Sow
[email protected]

Sacramento , California 95817

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 154

From: Katherine Wilkins

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Feb 24 2021 - Sacramento County 911 Alternatives
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 8:35:28 AM

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Board Clerk,

Good morning,

I am writing in regards to Agenda Item 4 of today's board of supervisors meeting. I urge the
board to prioritize 911 alternatives, and invest $15 million dollars to ensure 24/7 services. The
Sheriff is not providing these services, should not be providing theses services, and his
department is overfunded. Please take funds from the Sheriff's department and fund these
alternatives to 911.
I urge the board to stop putting off the inevitable - create a community advisory board of folks
who actually know how to respond to mental health and homeless needs as well as
independent dispatch systems.
The County of Sacramento has committed serious harms against people of color and the
homeless - this would be a true step in limiting the occurrence of new harms.
Tkank you,
Kate Wilkins

Katherine Wilkins
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95817

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 155

From: Kitty Bolte

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Fund 911 alternatives
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 6:07:10 AM

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Board Clerk,

Our Sheriffs department receives a disproportionate share of our County Budget despite being
a rogue, violent, incompetent department that regularly fails and harms its constituents. It is
high time to take money away from the Sheriffs department and meaningfully invest in proven
community based alternatives. I hope you will vote to fully fund an alternative 911 program that
is completely outside the jurisdiction of law enforcement and overseen by regular community
members in Sacramento County.

Thank you,
Katherine Bolte
D1
95820

Kitty Bolte
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95820

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 156

From: Megan Shumway

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Fund alternative to a Jali expansion
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 9:05:38 AM

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Honorable Supervisors,
Please consider funding for programs as an alternative to 911/police involvement in mental
health and social problems. We don't need to incarcerate more US citizens. We are becoming a
world leader in the numbers of incarcerated citizens. Don't become complicit in making
Sacramento part of a Police State. Funding a jail expansion is an ill-advised move. There are
Programs such as the CAHOOTS  (Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets) model in
Oregon that are possibilities to improve community cohesiveness and peaceful resolutions. 
--sincerely,
Megan Shumway B.S.N.
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 157

From: Siobhan Griffin

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: I Support Community-Run 911 Alternatives
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 12:23:06 PM

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Hello Sac Board,

I'm Siobhan Griffin, and I am in Sup. Serna's district. I strongly support a community-run
alternative to 911. There is a $4 million surplus in the Sac Sheriff's budget, and it should be
used to fund these proven alternatives. The money is there. The proof the current system is not
working is there. The Sac Sheriff's Department uses 50% more deadly force than all other
sheriff's depts. in the state of California. This is not acceptable, and it can be helped by
funding a 911 alternative run by trained mental health professionals. It's so easy, it's
embarrassing that it hasn't happened yet. 

Please vote to use this excess Sheriff's Dept. funding in a way that will benefit the community.

Thank you. 
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 158

From: Danielle Best

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Invest in mental health
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 9:17:06 AM

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Board Clerk,

We do not need to throw more money at the sheriff’s department. We need to invest in a crisis
response team that works.

Response teams should consist of mental health clinicians, peers with lived experience, social
workers, and medical clinicians

Expertise should be de-escalation, trauma-informed, behavioral health-centered, and

responsive to race, culture, gender, and disability

Crisis services must include housing and shelter, mental health assessment and services,
food, water, and other survival needs, medical care and medication, and crisis stabilization
and respite centers

Danielle Best
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95827

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 159

From: Meg Gunderson

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Item #4, Feb 24, 2021, Status Report on Alternative Responses to 911 Emergency Calls
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 11:38:27 AM

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Dear Supervisors:

I am a resident of Sacramento, Sacramento County (95818). I am in agreement with

The People's Budget and we have the following comments re: alternative responses to
911 calls. The people of the county have already begun to provide alternatives. Now,
we need your support and partnership to make our county a healthier and safer place
to live with the following:

1. We demand this program be funded to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure
24/7 services. The Board of Supervisors should divert these funds from the bloated
Sheriff’s Department budget. The Sheriff receives the lion’s share of our public dollars and
yet reports an average of $4 million in unspent dollars per year. The point of this program is
to fund services that Sheriff Jones has publicly stated he has no interest in providing, such
as responding to mental health or homeless needs. During budget hearings, Sheriff Jones
said he wants to “get out of the business” of taking these calls, and the Department is
already not meeting the required response times. While not everyone supports the
defunding of the police, the majority of the community members supports higher
investments in mental health and social services and a decline in the Sheriff’s Department.
Law enforcement was never designed to be a social service provider.

2. A community advisory board with impacted people to inform the design and
implementation of alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health and
homeless needs. The County can look to the Denver STAR community board for an
example, which includes Black, Latinx, and Muslim representatives and of course, people
with disabilities. Amid the economic, social, and health crisis that we are experiencing, It is
even more important for our Board Members to listen to the Sacramento residents. 

3. Independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give

immediate and low barrier access to services. The #1 priority reflected in People’s
Budget survey data is community-based mental health support. This requires an
independent emergency phone number and 24/7 dispatch system so communities can feel
safe to call it during crisis, and not fear potential interaction with law enforcement.
Luckily here in Sacramento we already have an established program following this model,
MH First. The County should fund MH First as a contracted advisor to the development of
City/County models. Behavioral Health has held two listening sessions so far with over 100
attendees and creative, community-based ideas that consistently highlighted the need for
models like MH First and Community Support Teams, not Mobile Crisis Support Teams that
are dominated by law enforcement. Why is the County Executive so focused on Mobile
Crisis Support Teams, which involve law enforcement? If you have a toothache, are you
going to ask a cardiologist to fix it? We have been asking cops to fix mental health crises
for far too long. The results are a huge waste of money, over-incarceration, and even
preventable death at the hands of law enforcement.
 Potentially repurposing a X11 number to serve as the independent dispatch
system. Mandating routing to Alternative Response Dispatch for calls that do
come into 911 Dispatch Centers to ensure service delivery and track diversion
rates from Sheriff and Fire response.

4. We demand that this effort not be removed from its context, which is a national
call for reinvestment of law enforcement dollars into our communities. Black,
indigenous and other people of color, and people with disabilities, are disproportionately
harmed and killed by law enforcement. It is estimated that 50-75% of people killed by police
annually in the US have a mental illness. We need real alternatives rooted in health equity
and racial justice to repair the harm that’s been done and do better for future generations.

Thank you,
Meg Gunderson
95818
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 160

From: francisca Garcia

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Item 4 County Supervisory Meeting Wed Feb 24 2021
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 9:19:28 AM

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On 911 alternatives. The community has been clear about the need and desire for funding to
be directed towards piloting and funding non-police 911 alternatives.

I live in Fair Oaks, Sacramento County

4024 Earnscliff Avenue, Fair Oaks, CA. 95628

My name is Francisca Garcia and my husband is Colin Crane and we both support this effort
for surplus sheriff funds to be directed to 911 alternatives.

thank you

Francisca 
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 161

From: Emma Johnston

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Item 4: please fully fund 911 alternatives
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 12:18:58 PM

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Board Clerk,

Board of Supervisors,
Please fully fund the alternatives to 911 program for mental health response with at least $15
million.

If you give the program less than this— the amount that’s needed for the program to run 24/7
— and it underperforms as a result, you’ll likely write it off as “unsuccessful.” We’ve seen this
all before with government programs that are given bare-bones, insufficient, austerity-level
funding and thus bound to fail from their onset.

Instead, I implore you to give this program adequate resources, and it will likely save the
County money— and more importantly, the pain and suffering of our most vulnerable— in the
long run, as similar programs have in other cities.

As a District 1 resident, I have seen countless houseless residents in panic experiencing

mental health crises outside of my home in all hours of the day and night or on my way to
work. They are breaking no law, so why would I call the police? Please provide the resources
our community needs to help and empower our neighbors instead of putting them in cages. If
the goal of public policy is to reduce human suffering, I cannot think of a more worthy program
to invest in.

Thank you,
Emma

Emma Johnston
[email protected]

Sacramento , California 95818

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 162

From: Asha Kreiling

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: More Social Services Solutions NOT Law Enforcement
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 10:46:20 AM

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Board Clerk,

Countless times I have wished for an alternative to calling 911, and even the non-emergency
phone lines, knowing that the response will come in the form of a law-enforcement officer and
as such the situation at hand could be easily and unnecessarily escalated (adding more
violence and trauma) - rather than de-escalated. Our County needs more homeless service
navigators, mental health specialists, addiction specialists, and social workers. The demand
for their services is so great - yet information about how to direct these specialists where they
are needed in urgent situations does not exist (nor do the resources to actually provide such
services). Take money away from the Sheriff’s Department (due to the reduction in
expenditures needed for phone operator and officer staffing) and put it towards social services
that can be dispatched on an emergency, 24/7 basis. Build back our trust in the County.

Asha Kreiling
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95816

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 163

From: Natalie Murie

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: People first
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 6:55:29 AM

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Board Clerk,

Making sure we have people other then cops helping the mental and homeless is only right.
Cops are not the right source to use when it comes to helping our community they are more
likely to hurt someone with mental health then help we need a change for our future and
upcoming generations to make this a place for all and not the few

Natalie Murie
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95838

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 164

From: Sacramento sister circle

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public Comment for 2/24 Meeting
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 5:16:40 AM

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To the Board of Supervisors:

We must take a stand against institutionalized violence. No one else needs to die because they are having a mental
health crisis. 

We demand a police-free emergency dispatch system, and the $4 million sheriff surplus be reinvested in community
run 911 alternatives.

Christi H. Ketchum
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 165

From: Jennifer Gouine

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email; Rich Desmond
Subject: Public comment for 2/24 meeting
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 6:12:04 AM

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Hello,

I am a homeowner in Old Foothill Farms. I support any and all efforts to fund viable
alternatives to policing with regard to Sacramento county people suffering mental health
crises. 

If there are unspent funds in the Sheriff’s budget, this is exactly where they should go. Law
enforcement has enough to do already - why put them in situations they’re not equipped to
deal with? It doesn’t make sense. 

PLEASE use these funds wisely.

Thank you,
Jennifer Gouine

--
Please excuse any typos - sent from a handheld computer
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 166

From: Marissa Boyd

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public Comment on 911 Alternatives and Mental Health
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 12:04:10 PM

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Board Clerk,

There is a criminalization of mental illness in Sacramento County. Within the Sacramento

County Sheriff's Department, there is a lack of knowledge, skills, empathy, and accountability,
and an abundance of bias, violence, and racism.
It is clear to me what needs to be done to make Sac County a safer place for everyone.
The Board of Supervisors should divert these funds from the bloated Sheriff’s Department
budget. Sheriff Jones has publicly stated he has no interest in providing to mental health or
homeless needs. Give the funds to 911 alternatives, to professionals who know what they are
doing, who have respect for human life, and who will not shoot first and ask questions later
(because they have no need for a gun in the first place).

Marissa Boyd
[email protected]

Fair Oaks, California 95628

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 167

From: CG
To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: RE: Agenda Item 4
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 9:30:31 AM

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Good morning!

I am a Sacramento resident, living in zip code 95822.

I do not approve of the continued level of finding to our sheriff's department (or any law
enforcement for that matter). Please reallocate the four million dollar surplus to proven 911
alternatives, like mental health experts. We need to reform our emergency response services,
protect (not endanger) and strengthen our communities. Law enforcement has not and is not
meeting these needs.

Please reallocate these funds. Please continue to restructure and defund our law enforcement.

Randal Graham
6811 Demaret Dr, Sacramento, CA 95822
540-718-8723
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 168

From: Dov Kadin

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Sac County 911 Alternatives
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 12:24:47 PM

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Board Clerk,

Please fully fund this program with $15 million so it can operate 24/7, as is needed for this to
be successful

Dov Kadin
[email protected]

SACRAMENTO, California 95817

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 169

From: Mike Jaske

To: Nottoli. Don; Kennedy. Supervisor; Supervisor Serna; Rich Desmond; Frost. Supervisor
Cc: Clerk of the Board Public Email; Sloan. Rebecca; Riley. Keaton; Nava. Lisa; McCarthy-Olmstead. Vanessa;
Hedges. Matt; Wagstaff. Bruce
Subject: SacACT Comments on Agenda item #4
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 9:45:14 AM
Attachments: 2021-02-24_Proposed Alternative to 911_SacACT comments_final.pdf

Supervisors,

Attached are the comments of SacACT on the proposal to implement a pilot project to develop
an alternative to 911 calls for mental health and homelessness.

Mike Jaske, Co-Chair

SacACT Homelessness and Housing Committee

cc: Board Clerk

Bruce Wagstaff
 February 24, 2021

Supervisor Frost, Board Chair

Supervisor Serna
Supervisor Kennedy
Supervisor Nottoli
Supervisor Desmond

Re: Agenda Item #4 for February 24, 2021

Sacramento Area Congregations Together (SacACT) Homeless and

Housing Committee strongly endorses the concept of shifting
responsibility for numerous types of 911 service calls from the
Sheriff’s Department to a new “community response” department.
The staff proposal for a two-year pilot would create a new Call
Center and four Mental Health Response Teams to gather
sufficient information to enable budget and staffing discussions
for full scale implementation of this concept.

Clearly a pilot to assess the viability of new Call Center screening

procedures and field procedures for approaching individuals in
crisis is a sensible first step toward eventual full-scale operations.

However, is the scope and design of the pilot commensurate with

the proposed funding level? The presentation to the Board at the
11/3/2020 meeting summarized 2019 and part-year 2020 calls to
911 classified as either “mental health” or “homeless.”
Homelessness calls were easily 10 times greater volume than calls
classified as “mental health.” Despite this, the description of the
pilot is heavily weighted to mental health calls and the provision
of mental health services. Examples are below:

“This pilot program will provide crisis intervention and de-

escalation services, assess needs and risks, and create safety
plans. This includes identifying and leveraging individual
strengths and natural supports; coordinating with existing
health providers; and linking consumers to ongoing services.’
[2/24/2021 Board Letter, page 3]

The action responses resulting from the Call Center screening

process “…include providing crisis intervention and de-
escalation services over the phone; dispatching a Mental
 Health Response Team; connecting current clients to their
existing behavioral health service providers; and referring
clients to the Mental Health Urgent Care Clinic, Crisis Center
Respite, and ongoing mental health, substance use, and
homeless services.” [2/24/2021 Board Letter, page 4]

SacACT’s concerns stem from the treatment of homeless

individuals within this pilot. Six specific approaches are described
for calls involving mental health crises, but the “homeless
services” are referred to in a single term. It is common knowledge
that there are insufficient sheltering and housing options available
for the large number of homeless people in the County. How is a
referral to “homeless services” going to result in actual delivery of
services to homeless people? The budget proposed for this pilot
provides no additional resources to increase the capacity of the
County to provide “homeless services.” Are homeless people
encountered in this program going to be prioritized for “homeless
services” before all of the others already in the community queue
waiting their term based on an assessment and screening?

SacACT does not understand how a pilot with as a broad a scope

as proposed, and with no funding to increase homeless services,
will be successful for “quality of life” calls regarding homeless
people.

SacACT believes that the proposal needs to clearly describe what

services can be offered to homeless individuals that will actually
solve their real problem – immediate access to a shelter bed, triage
assessment to determine why the individual is homeless, and the
support services to enable placement in the appropriate type of
permanent housing ranging from rental support to permanent
supportive housing for these requiring this level of assistance.
Providing such housing and services is expensive and there is no
unused capacity nor funding in the current proposal to develop
more.

Although we believe the pilot is very unclear about the homeless

portion, something can be gained from a pilot if there is careful
measurement of actions and outcomes. We propose that an explicit
tracking system be designed that distinguishes at least among
2
those with mental health crises, homelessness, or those individuals
with both. The immediate “crisis response” services provided to
homeless people should be recorded as well as referrals for
homeless services. The Sacramento County Continuum of Care
Homeless Management Information System may be useful as an
adjunct to a new database created for the pilot to track referrals,
actual interventions and their success.

A data-driven report about the pilot, including successes and

failures, should be reported to the Board at the mid-way point of
the pilot.

Thank you for your consideration.

Mike Jaske, Co-Chair

SacACT Homelessness and Housing Committee

cc: Board Clerk

Bruce Wagstaff

3
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 170

From: Sarah Taylor

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Cc: Frost. Supervisor
Subject: Sheriff"s Surplus
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 8:30:04 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Good morning,

My name is Sarah Dutcher, and I've been a voter and tax-payer in Sacramento County since
2014. 

Sacramento County Sheriff has a large surplus, which I believe should be used for 911
alternatives. The sheriff's track record of violence against people in a mental health crisis is
absurd, and we need to find ways to actually help our residents.

I ask that you divert my tax dollars from the law enforcement funds to organizations which
provide real services, instead of entry to the prison-industrial complex. Re-direct the $4
million into proven community-run 911 alternatives.

Thank you,
Sarah Dutcher-Taylor
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 171

From: Jeff Polland

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Support 911 Alternatives
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 7:55:02 AM

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Board Clerk,

Dear Board of Supervisors- Please fully support and FUND a 911 alternative for Sacramento
County. As a teacher in Natomas I feel this is an urgent necessity. This is a common sense
reform. Sheriff Jones has said he does not want to respond to mental health calls. So, let's
work to create a fully funded alternative. Thank You

Jeff Polland
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95695

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 172

From: Cathleen Williams

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Support for funding of community run 911 diversion program
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 10:58:22 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Board, and in particular my County Supervisor Phil Serna,
 
I ask that you fund the community run alternative to 911 with $15 million to
ensure 24/7 services. This is a money-saving alternative to law enforcement based
system for crisis and emergency calls. For example, in Oregon, the CAHOOTS
system (Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets) has saved millions of dollars
per year.
We request that a community advisory board with impacted people are brought
into the design and implementation of this system. We ask that an independent
dispatch system, not connected to law enforcement, be responsible for immediate
and low barrier access to services.
We ask that this proposal be part of a county wide reinvestment of law
enforcement dollars into communities.    
We are asking for #carenotcages for our community members.
Now is the time.
 
Sincerely,
Cathleen Williams
Dist. 1
916-801-4672
  
 
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 173

From: Zuri KColbert

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: The Importance of 911 Alternatives
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 7:51:58 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

It is beyond imperative for our families and youth that Sacramento implement a 24/7
alternatives for 911 program.

For over 10 years myself and family have experienced unexpected unsafe severe violations
while raising our children and providing the best for quality of life. We have been severely
stalked, hacked, and targeted when we had nothing to do with the people doing it nor ties to
any activity that warranted it. I worked and participated in the Sacramento community my
whole life. Never once been arrested, ever had a criminal record, nor ever had even a psych
eval. The piece about the psych eval and criminal record is important due to the absolute
implicit bias that has occurred when violations have occurred to myself as a Black Mom but
other Black community members where there is an unfortunate constant proving that you are
mentally sane or worthy of safety support when someone's mental health status or history
should never humanely determine that.

Although stalking, hacking, is an extremely disturbing act of emotional violence that doesn't
occur everyday - it was something for our family that was not just happening on a regular basis
but when ignored escalated. It is extremely dangerous and scary for our children being raised
in the home where my daughter grew up. We moved 3 times in 3 years so as to protect my
daughter and my own life as she went to school and I was going to work. Because there was
absolutely no ties to the emotional violence and physical violence that occurred we attempted
all safety pre-cautions parents can take when someone is targeting you and putting out
information on your family or youth to those who mean harm. It has occurred since my
daughter was 12 years old and she is now in college. It first began with me receiving
unpermitted but insurmountable calls, voicemails, messages, followed at my job and emails
forwarded and then when that was ignored or problem solved then carried over to my
daughter as she grew up. When we made changes and resolve there, it didn't get better it got
worse where my daughter was still called off the hook and then solicited when we had zero
zero zero to do with this type of lifestyle or any partaking in any bad or criminal activities
lifestyle.

The activity would die down then show up in another form which became dangerous as a
single mom raising her daughter. We lived in a beautiful home, providing the very best of
service activities, sports to raise my daughter right. I worked hard to bring my daughter and the
children in my family but we had to move where my daughter mainly grew up due to the
absolute on-going issues where not even innocent kids aren't off limits. I can't tell you how
many incidents occurred that were so dangerous and had nothing to do with that we now know
someone was putting out our information to involve us so you are forced to react or respond.
When the person is outed or people start catching on, then they re-narrate their
stalking/hacking as if they were doing it to "help" or be some "hero" when they were the ones
putting an innocent mom and kid in the situation in the first place for their own gain. I know that
there are great leaders who know me or have tried to help me and my family but for this to be
continuing after insurmountable, impactful, life changes, financial and honestly emotional toll is
not help, especially when I nor my child ever met you in all our lives and you frankly are not
welcomed in our life for this type of "harmful help". They are now being paid for the devaluing
and harm they caused is not "help" to me.
It has affected not just quality of life, mental well being, but my business, and
emotional/physical safety at this point. Of course, not everything is that or as a result of
someone stalking you but when it has occurred for years upon years as a parent, woman,
human you have to look into all bizarre activity especially to halt it for your children. There
evidently was an issue of mental wellness for the person (s) doing this form of inhumane cruel
harm to moms and kids. The 911 alternatives program that focuses on crisis resolution instead
of incarceration would have helped a mother like me who experienced this and knows that
there are other mothers, women, youth who feel unsafe but can see the person violating has
mental disturbness and needs mental health help. Especially when it is the same gender or
the same ethnicity you know the system will villify the person and it is not something that you
want, even when they are so mentally ill that they want it for you. Ple ase take this example as
a reason to implement a 911 Alternatives program for mothers, families in the community who
deserve safety choices and well being as every human deserves.

Zuri KColbert
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95828

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 174

From: PJ Andrews
To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Why wouldn’t you invest at least…
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 11:49:20 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

…enough to ensure this alternatives to 911 program has a chance at being successful in a big
way? 24/7/365 availability is required. In fact that is the bare minimum when it comes to The
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration requirements for a regional
mental health program. It’s literally first on their list.

Recommendation by staff leaves 44% of people unserved and potentially facing deadly
interactions with law enforcement. The STAR model in Denver resulted in 0 arrests and 0
people dead. In fact of the around 50 people who called them and were suicidal, none killed
themselves. And Denver is now on track to invest an additional $3 million into that program to
expand it. CAHOOTS saved the city of Eugene something like $8 million just by having mental
health professionals respond instead of officers who often have salaries well into 6 digits.

And the money needs to come from the sheriff. I know some of you may see this as a big pie
of appropriations. But the community needs to see a reduction in the budget for the sheriff and
an increase in the budget for behavioral health and thus health services for a commensurate
amount.

And please work with community based organizations that are already doing the work. They
are already doing it for free. Many already have lessons under their belt that they can pass
along to ensure a smooth transition and a quick startup period.

As was said in the listening sessions…this needs to have a 3 digit number. There are plenty in
place already, some of which can be combined or otherwise structured to free up a number.
And it doesn’t even necessarily need to end in 11. England uses 999 for their 911 service.

Police need to not be involved. The STAR model shows us that they don’t need to get
involved. Numerous interactions that end up deadly show us that they do not need to get
involved.

It’s frustrating because you seem so willing to commit to a jail expansion plan that’s going to
cost hundreds of millions but approach this proven model of alternatives with tippy toes? Why
don’t you approach the jail expansion as a “pilot” since it has ZERO guarantee of being a good
investment? AND many that would’ve needed the jail expansions services will be diverted to
other programs if alternatives to 911 is implemented. AND the alternatives to 911 has a better
chance of addressing some of the consent decree items and for a much lower cost.
PJ Andrews
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95816

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 175

From: Kieu-Tram Bach

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 2/24 @2:30pm meeting - agenda item #4
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 1:11:16 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Public comment for 2/24 @2:30pm meeting - agenda item #4 re: Alternative 911 Response Program:
 
“Hello, my name is Kieu-Tram Bach and I am a medical student and resident of Sacramento. I’m also
a member of Sacramento Street Medicine, an organization that provides medical and resource
needs to the unhoused community of Sacramento. In my experience performing outreach with SSM,
I have heard directly from people living outside about the inadequate and inappropriate police
responses they experience almost constantly. This has created a hostile and adversarial relationship
between the unhoused community and law enforcement, and people living outside clearly have
anxiety and fear around interacting with police. Among the most top of mind, people living outside
have been physically harassed and displaced by recent police sweeps. This action alone worsens
their mental wellbeing. I believe people living outside would benefit from a sustainable 24/7 mental
health and homelessness crisis program here in Sacramento that functions without police
interference. Furthermore, I believe to fully support this effort, funding for this alternative 911
response program must permanently come from the Sheriff's current and future budget. Because I
strongly believe this program is urgently needed in our community, I urge you to consider piloting
the program for 1 year instead of 2 to move into an established 24/7 program sooner. Outside the
program, I ask an independent Homelessness Advisory and  Behavioral Health Board be established
to focus on continually bettering the alternative 911 program. Furthermore, I strongly encourage
you to include community organizations on these boards, as these are the leaders who know our
unhoused community best. Finally, as a future medical provider, I demand the redesign of our
current mental health and substance use programs to prioritize treatment on demand. Currently,
individuals seeking these programs are stuck on waitlists or denied because there are no beds or
slots available -- this must be rectified with implementation of multidisciplinary teams and greater
support to medical organizations serving this population.”
 
Kieu-Tram Bach (she/her/hers)
College of Medicine ‘24
California Northstate University
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 176

From: Shahini Ananth

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 2/24 @2:30pm meeting agenda item #4
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 12:58:13 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Sacramento County,

My name is Shahini Ananth and I am a medical student who works with Sacramento Street
Medicine (SSM), an organization dedicated to understanding and meeting the needs of the
unhoused. Through being a part of this organization and spending time with community
members, the detrimental effects of certain policies implemented by the city are strikingly
clear. Just recently, in one of our outreach visits, we found that unhoused members who were
living near railroad tracks were mandated to swiftly relocate their homes. Moving is a difficult
process, and is significantly harder in the backdrop of Covid-19 and the recent unprecedented
rain storm; it is unsafe and poses great harm to the communities. From the tone of members’
voices, their intonations, and the words they chose to use, it was apparent how emotionally
taxing the move was. Hearing these lived experiences puts a new and powerful perspective on
statistics about the experience of homelessness, and certainly highlights the need for drastic
change in current policy. Focusing on habitation near railroads, and penalizing individuals for
where they choose to live detracts from efforts that would empower the unhoused and lead to
tangible change. 

With this in mind, I request Sacramento county to divert resources from the Sherrif’s budget to
create an Alternative 911 program and an advisory board focused on behavior health and
homelessness. This would allow for the creation of 24/7 programs that would address the
mental health needs of the unhoused, and ensure that members are able to access mental health
programs and substance use programs without being on a wait list. Further, the county must
focus on creating diversity within such programs, so as to create a more inclusive space that
allows for understanding and compassionate care. It is only with these actions that we can
bring about sustainable change and create a county that we all wish to live in. I truly hope that
we can work together to make this a reality. Thank you!

Best regards,
Shahini
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 177

From: Chloe Campos

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 911 Alternative
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 1:22:42 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Board of Supervisors,

My name is Chloe Campos. I am a resident of District 5A. I am writing in strong support of

 911 alternatives.

Here is what our community needs:

1. A Sustainable 24/7 Program 

We don’t need another pilot, we need a solution. Sacramento already has Mental Health
First, a successful, health professional and community run organization. Trained and
unarmed civilian responders on the frontlines pose the least threat to people experiencing
mental illness because they are trained to be effective while being the least confrontational,
so as to not escalate the situation.  

It’s important to note that a similar program in Eugene, Oregon called Crisis Assistance
Helping Out On The Streets (CAHOOTS) showed that it has the potential to save taxpayers
$8.5 million dollars by effectively handling mental health emergency situations in a non-
punitive, life-affirming way.

2. Funding From the $4 Million Sheriff Surplus 

Other county run health related departments are already severely underfunded. The
Sheriff’s Department is the largest item that the Board has discretionary powers over. In the
2019-2020 budget, 37% went to the Sheriff’s Department.  Sheriff Scott Jones already said
he wants to get out of the mental health business completely. There's $4 million dollars that
goes unspent by the Sheriff’s Department that should be used to take the responsibility off
of the Sheriff's Department and put into mental health professions and dedicated
community members.
3. An Independent Advisory Board
 Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department uses more deadly force than 50% of all other
Sheriff’s departments in our state. Deputies are often called to provide services for
marginalized community members, and the lack of specific training within the department
leads to arrest, injury, and trauma. Law enforcement tends to treat a person experiencing a
mental health crisis as an armed and/or non-compliant suspect and excessive force results.
In fact, 1 in every 4 police killings is of a person with mental illness. This means that people
with mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed by the police than other people. 

4. No Police Interference 
Although police have had training on how to deescalate confrontations with people with
mental illness, it is not reasonable to expect a patrol officer to make a meaningful clinical
assessment of a patient in the field. 

For those with mental illness who are detained and taken to jail, 83% don’t have access to
the treatments they need. People are often given medication while in jail and, at best, a
bottle of pills and a referral when they are released, leading to a revolving door of arrests
and short-term incarceration with no real improvement in the person’s underlying mental
health.
It is imperative that we have community-led 911 alternatives to mental health emergencies,
and we have $4 million from the Sheriff's surplus to set this program up to be a sustainable
24/7 operation. 

Thank you for your consideration,

Chloe Campos 
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 178

From: Jasmin Tsai

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 911 Alternatives for Sacramento County
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 1:18:11 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Please fully fund this program with $15 million so it can be successful and operate 24/7, as
needed.

Jasmin Tsai
[email protected]

Carmichael, California 95608

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 179

From: Francisco Kuhl

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 911 alternatives
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 1:06:32 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

I would like to see that $15 million go towards this program so it can operate 24/7

Francisco Kuhl
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95917

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 180

From: Tobie Klibansky

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Alternatives to policing for mental health urgently need increased funding.
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 1:37:12 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Hello, I am a resident and homeowner in Supervisor Serena’s District 1, and have a

background of working in county-level crisis mental health services, including mobile crisis
response and involuntary hold assessment. As a lifelong California resident, I’ve seen how the
number of houseless people with chronic and acute mental health needs has exploded, and
how increased funding for policing not only doesn’t help these vulnerable members of our
community, but has resulted in the deaths of numerous people when in the midst of a mental
health crisis.

I urge the Board of Supervisors to expand funding for mental health response teams and crisis
services, expand the hours that mental health response teams are available, and ensure that
these teams are made up of mental health clinicians, peers with lived experience, social
workers, and medical clinicians. Having been a mental health worker in dangerous situations
with people in mental health crisis, I know that they are the best able to respond in a way that
is trauma-informed, behavioral health-centered, and responsive to race, culture, gender, and
disability.

Tobie Klibansky
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95820

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 181

From: Ben Hadley

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Fund non-police alternatives now!
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 1:01:23 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Please fully fund this project with $15 million so that this project can operate 24/7. The 6 folks
who died during the storm the other week are not the first people experiencing homelessness
to have died needlessly in Sacramento, nor will they be the last if we do not build alternatives
like this one. Thank you.

Ben Hadley
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95818

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 182

From: Angela Elizabeth

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Glenn Jackson Jr.***Public Comment***2/24/21 2:30 meeting**Item #4
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 1:46:44 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2:30 PM

2021

Agenda Item #4

Alternatives to 911

Hello, my name is Glenn Jackson Jr. and I am a 13 year old transportation advocate. Over
the past few months I have been learning to be more of an environmental justice advocate.
This is my first time submitting a comment to the Sacramento County Board of
Supervisors. 

I would like for the board to consider having a non law enforcement team fully staffed and
available 24 hours a day to help assist residents in need. I would like for this team to have
enough money to properly function and not have to come back to the board to ask for more
money anytime soon. I also would like for a team of professionals that are skilled and
knowledgeable to be part of making decisions on how to put plans together and deal with
Sacramento residents that need help. I would like for the board to have people of color,
people with visible and non visible disabilities and a young person under 21 on a
community advisory board if passed. 

I hope the Board of Supervisors takes my suggestions and other comments into serious
consideration.

Thank you for taking the time to read my public comment.

Glenn Jackson Jr.

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 183

From: Stephanie Cook

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Item #4 Public Comment
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 12:43:36 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

My name is Stevie Cook and I am a resident of District 1. 

I am reaching out today to let you know that I support the Board
of Supervisors decision to fund an “Alternative to 911” phone
number for community members experiencing mental health
crises. 

I applaud this move by the Board of Supervisors but, it is not

enough unless you fully fund the program for the $15M being
advocated for by the front-line emergency volunteers who’ve
already been on the ground doing this work. 

Neighbors need to have an independent three digit X11 number to

call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year that is entirely separate from
law enforcement.  Concerned and caring members of the public
need to know they can reach out with ease for expert assistance
from trained counselors, therapists and other health workers who
are going to de-escalate rather than incarcerate folks who are
going through complex emotional and physical hardships. This
new number could literally be a lifeline.

Members of the board, you have the opportunity here to make

this a successful and permanent outreach asset in our county, not
just a performative trial. As you have heard many times before
from your constituents, your budget is your values-- so fund
“Alternatives to 911” from a reallocated law enforcement budget.
Take a stand against the old guard punitive ways, and you will be
truly visionary. 
 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 184

From: Susannah Kiteck

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Moving Funds from the Sac County Sheriff’s Budget to 911 Alternatives
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 12:46:26 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Good afternoon,

I am writing today to voice my support of reallocating funds from the Sacramento County
Sheriff Department’s budget to 911 alternatives/community based crisis response.
Sacramento needs response teams that are trained mental health clinicians, social workers,
and medical clinicians. I advocate for 15 million dollars to be reallocated to community based
crisis response. It is time for Sacramento to invest directly in its community members! And this
does NOT include the Sheriff department. We need alternative non-law enforcement
responses for mental health and homeless needs.

Thank you for your time.

Susannah Kiteck
[email protected]

Carmichael, California 95608

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 185

From: Jing Yue Chen

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Please fund
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 1:13:08 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Please fund this program with $15 million so it can operate 24/7 for our communities. Thank
you!

Jing Yue Chen

[email protected]

San Francisco, California 94124

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 186

From: J.C. Leapman

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Sac County 911 Alternatives - Feb 24th 2021
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 12:51:23 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

To whom it may concern,

Sacramento is desperately in need of services to be used instead of 911. The 911 service
does not appropriately accommodate for people suffering from mental illness, houselessness,
or other sensitive issues.
Here are our demands that can improve this situation:

1. We demand this program be funded to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure 24/7
services. The Board of Supervisors should divert these funds from the bloated Sheriff’s
Department budget. The Sheriff receives the lion’s share of our public dollars and yet reports
an average of $4 million in unspent dollars per year. The point of this program is to fund
services that Sheriff Jones has publicly stated he has no interest in providing, such as
responding to mental health or homeless needs. During budget hearings, Sheriff Jones said
he wants to “get out of the business” of taking these calls, and the Department is already not
meeting the required response times. While not everyone supports the defunding of the police,
the majority of the community members supports higher investments in mental health and
social services and a decline in the Sheriff’s Department. Law enforcement was never
designed to be a social service provider.

2. A community advisory board with impacted people to inform the design and implementation
of alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health and homeless needs. The
County can look to the Denver STAR community board for an example, which includes Black,
Latinx, and Muslim representatives and of course, people with disabilities. Amid the economic,
social, and health crisis that we are experiencing, It is even more important for our Board
Members to listen to the Sacramento residents.

3. Independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give immediate and
low barrier access to services. The #1 priority reflected in People’s Budget survey data is
community-based mental health support. This requires an independent emergency phone
number and 24/7 dispatch system so communities can feel safe to call it during crisis, and not
fear potential interaction with law enforcement.

Luckily here in Sacramento we already have an established program following this model, MH
First. The County should fund MH First as a contracted advisor to the development of
City/County models. Behavioral Health has held two listening sessions so far with over 100
attendees and creative, community-based ideas that consistently highlighted the need for
models like MH First and Community Support Teams, not Mobile Crisis Support Teams that
are dominated by law enforcement. Why is the County Executive so focused on Mobile Crisis
Support Teams, which involve law enforcement? If you have a toothache, are you going to ask
a cardiologist to fix it? We have been asking cops to fix mental health crises for far too long.
The results are a huge waste of money, over-incarceration, and even preventable death at the
hands of law enforcement.

4. We demand that this effort not be removed from its context, which is a national call for
reinvestment of law enforcement dollars into our communities. Black, indigenous and other
people of color, and people with disabilities, are disproportionately harmed and killed by law
enforcement. It is estimated that 50-75% of people killed by police annually in the US have a
mental illness. We need real alternatives rooted in health equity and racial justice to repair the
harm that’s been done and do better for future generations.

Sincerely,
J.C. Leapman
PhD Student
SOE UC Davis

J.C. Leapman
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95816

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 187

From: Emily Smith

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Sac County 911 Alternatives
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 12:48:38 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Dear Board of Supervisors,

My name is Emily Smith. I am a resident of District 4, represented by Supervisor Frost. I am
writing in strong support of 911 alternatives.

This program must be funded to succeed with $15 million invested to ensure 24/7 services.
We need a community advisory board with impacted people to inform the design and
implementation of alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health and homeless
needs. We need independent dispatch systems, not connected to law enforcement, that give
immediate and low barrier access to services. And this effort must not be removed from its
context, which is a national call for reinvestment of law enforcement dollars into our
communities.

Lives are at stake and have been, please listen! We know this works and will keep our city
safer and healthier.

Here is what our community needs:

1. A Sustainable 24/7 Program

We don’t need another pilot, we need a solution. Sacramento already has Mental Health First,
a successful, health professional and community run organization. Trained and unarmed
civilian responders on the frontlines pose the least threat to people experiencing mental illness
because they are trained to be effective while being the least confrontational, so as to not
escalate the situation.

It’s important to note that a similar program in Eugene, Oregon called Crisis Assistance
Helping Out On The Streets (CAHOOTS) showed that it has the potential to save taxpayers
$8.5 million dollars by effectively handling mental health emergency situations in a non-
punitive, life-affirming way.

2. Funding From the $4 Million Sheriff Surplus

Other county run health related departments are already severely underfunded. The Sheriff’s
Department is the largest item that the Board has discretionary powers over. In the 2019-2020
budget, 37% went to the Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Scott Jones already said he wants to get
out of the mental health business completely. There's $4 million dollars that goes unspent by
the Sheriff’s Department that should be used to take the responsibility off of the Sheriff's
Department and put into mental health professions and dedicated community members.
3. An Independent Advisory Board
Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department uses more deadly force than 50% of all other
Sheriff’s departments in our state. Deputies are often called to provide services for
marginalized community members, and the lack of specific training within the department
leads to arrest, injury, and trauma. Law enforcement tends to treat a person experiencing a
mental health crisis as an armed and/or non-compliant suspect and excessive force results. In
fact, 1 in every 4 police killings is of a person with mental illness. This means that people with
mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed by the police than other people.

4. No Police Interference
Although police have had training on how to deescalate confrontations with people with mental
illness, it is not reasonable to expect a patrol officer to make a meaningful clinical assessment
of a patient in the field.
For those with mental illness who are detained and taken to jail, 83% don’t have access to the
treatments they need. People are often given medication while in jail and, at best, a bottle of
pills and a referral when they are released, leading to a revolving door of arrests and short-
term incarceration with no real improvement in the person’s underlying mental health.

It is imperative that we have community-led 911 alternatives to mental health emergencies,

and we have $4 million from the Sheriff's surplus to set this program up to be a sustainable
24/7 operation.

Emily Smith
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95816

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 188

From: Tawny Macedo

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Support for 911 alternatives: 2/24/2021
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 1:46:17 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Good afternoon,

Please fully fund this program with $15 million so it can operate 24/7, as is needed for this to
be successful.

Sincerely,
Tawny Macedo, MPH

Tawny Macedo
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95817

 ITEM 4 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 189

From: Wesley Samms

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: SUPPORT: $15 million for 911 Alternative Response And Call Center Program
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 1:24:52 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Board Clerk,

Dear Phil Serna,

Please approve the proposed pilot approach for a 911 alternative response and call center
program. This would be a community advisory board with impacted people to inform the
design and implementation of alternative, non-law enforcement responses for mental health
and homeless needs.

Independent dispatch systems not connected to law enforcement give immediate and low
barrier access to services.

This is part of the movement to reassign law enforcement dollars to services which build up
the community rather than tear it down. Incarceration helps no one, and it makes our streets
more dangerous. Incarceration also worsens the mental health of people subjected to it, and it
worsens their future life outcomes too.

De-fund the po-lice!

Very sincerely, your constituent,
Wes Samms

Wesley Samms
[email protected]

Sacramento, California 95816

 4

AGENDA ITEM CONTINUATION

MEMO

MEETING DATE: February 24, 2021

DEPARTMENT: Health Services

TITLE: Approve Proposed Pilot

Approach For A 911 Alternative
Response And Call Center
Program, Amending Sacramento
County Conflict Of Interest Code
Adding 16.0 Full Time Positions
And Four Vehicles To Operate
The Pilot Program, And Approve
An Appropriations Adjustment
Request In The Amount Of
$107,372 (AAR No. 2021-2027)

BOARD ACTION: Continued to March 30, 2021

MATERIAL FORWARDED
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 001

From: Anna Perantoni

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email; Supervisor Serna
Subject: comment for Sac County BOS Meeting - 3/30/21
Date: Friday, March 19, 2021 10:32:09 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hello, 

As a resident of Sacramento county who has lived in District 1 for four years, I want to voice
my support for the funding and ongoing support of mental health crisis support that is NOT
staffed by law enforcement. Studies show that a large percentage of 911 emergency calls
involve individuals needing nonviolent crisis intervention, and that the presence of armed
LEOs with little to no mental health support training only escalates volatile situations. 

We NEED culturally-appropriate, community-oriented mental health services. Funding should

be allocated to the staffing of crisis response teams consisting of social workers, mental health
professionals, and trained clinicians with adequate training in de-escalation, trauma,
behavioral health as well as being responsive to race, culture, gender and disability status. 

Sincerely, 
Anna Perantoni
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 002

From: paddywagging
To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: In regards to the board meeting on 3/30/2021
Date: Wednesday, March 24, 2021 4:24:08 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hello!
       My name is Patrick Schirmer.  I live in District 3 and am writing in to ask that you please
use taxpayer money to fund law enforcement free alternatives to 911 in Sacramento County.  I
am a mental health therapist at a school here in Sacramento and sometimes have to offer
resources for my clients if they have a mental health struggle after hours.  Unfortunately, there
are only phone numbers to call and not any options for in person support that is so often
needed in the midst of a mental health crisis.  This is unsustainable and does harm to our
community.  I may even have a client who has past trauma specifically around police officers. 
Who do they call?  How do they get support??  It is no secret that marginalized communities
have been harmed by police violence and when they are in their most vulnerable they need
other options beyond police help.

Thank you
Patrick
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 003

From: Mingming Caressi

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Mental health alternatives to 911
Date: Thursday, March 18, 2021 2:30:58 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Board Clerk of Sacramento County,

I am a resident of nearby Yolo County and mental health professional. I volunteer in

Sacramento and work regularly with local Sacramentans who have been affected by police
violence. 1 in every 4 police killings is that of a person with mental illness. It means
tremendously to me, and is an important part of our life's work as mental health professionals,
for Sacramento County to implement a 911 alternative of trained & unarmed professionals to
respond and appropriately de-escalate mental health crises.

My remarks are specifically in regards to the March 30 board meeting.

Signed,
Mingming Caressi
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 004

From: Laurel Hollis

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public comment / Tuesday March 30, 2021 / 9:30 a.m. / agenda item #1
Date: Friday, March 26, 2021 10:01:43 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

My name is Laurel Hollis, and I’m a constituent of Phil Serna and a member of Sacramento ACT. I am writing in
general support of the proposed Sacramento County pilot program for alternative emergency response. I agree with
SacACT’s call to amend the design and implementation of the pilot program in three ways. First, the pilot program
must be in operation 7 days a week and 24 hours a day. Second, the effort must be community led, not run by the
Sheriff’s Department. Finally, adequate funding should be diverted from the current county law enforcement budget
to ensure the pilot program is well designed and carried out.

Thank you for considering my comments.

Sent from my iPhone

 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 005

From: Nicole Elton

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Cc: Kennedy. Supervisor
Subject: Public comment for 3/30 board of supervisors meeting
Date: Monday, March 22, 2021 2:01:04 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Greetings,

I’d love to remind our Supervisors that police-free emergency resources are not only “reasonable,” but preferable
and more cost efficient.

More importantly than that, alternatives to cops shooting folks experiencing mental health emergencies are a moral
imperative.

 There are programs to model, Denver and Eugene have had success. This is not unknown territory. What is known
territory is that if we continue to send armed cops to respond to every issue, we will get more of the same:
traumatized people, terrorized communities, more people in prisons, and more inequities.

Listen to your constituents, and have the courage to envision something different. 

Nicole Elton
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 006

From: Cindy McCullough

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 3/30/2021 BOS Meeting Agenda Item #1
Date: Friday, March 26, 2021 4:45:12 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Good afternoon:
My name is Cindy McCullough and I own a behavioral health care clinic serving  residents of
Sacramento County.  I am writing today to request that the board of supervisors vote to
support full funding of a 24/7 mental health care  alternative to 911.
I primarily service members of the community that are significantly impacted by autism
spectrum disorder. Many of our patients are non-verbal and oftentimes unable to follow one-
step verbal directions making encounters with law enforcement extremely dangerous. 
We have had patients elope from their home, engage in self injurious behaviors (SIB) resulting
in bodily trauma like concussion and contusions, and engage in huge meltdown behaviors in
public places because their senses have become overloaded. In each of these instances, the
families that I serve are terrified of police involvement.  Sometimes, attempting to manage
behaviors that can be dangerous to the patient (like SIB) or to themselves because they fear
that police intervention will result in arrest, bodily harm, or death. 
Families affected by severe autism are desperate for alternatives to 911.  They need 24/7
access to mental and behavioral health personnel specifically certified  in crisis prevention and
intervention, trauma informed care, and are adequately trained to meet their communication
needs.
On January 15, 2021 a teen with autism in Louisiana was killed by a deputy after the deputy
sat on the child for 9 minutes.  This was after the police were called to "help" the child who
was having a meltdown in the parking lot. These types of meltdown happen all the time to
those significantly impacted by autism and they should never result in death. The officer that
responded to this call shackled the teen's feet and restrained him face down on the
pavement of the shopping center's parking lot, putting immense pressure on his back,
He was never put in a recovery position and as a result died. This death would have
never occurred had a 911 alternative been available and staff with proper knowledge
and training of autism responded to the call.
In 2015, Troy Cannelis, another teen with autism was beaten and injured by police in
New York because he was intellectually unable to follow verbal
commands In Statesville, North Carolina, a police officer used excessive force and
handcuffed a 7-year-old autistic boy who was agitated after switching to a new
medication. And in 2019, police in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, shot and killed Kobe
Heisler, an autistic 21-year-old.
Autism training for police is simply not enough. Mental and behavioral health care
providers must obtain their Master's Degree and accrue several thousand supervised
hours of care in order to obtain their licensure and be able to care for individuals in
crisis. It is unfair and unsafe to expect for police to provide adequate emergency care
to individuals in a mental health care crisis.
I strongly urge the board to fund 24/7 access to a Mental Health 911 alternative to
protect this incredibly vulnerable community from avoidable harm. 24/7 access is the
only right solution.  A partially funded response team with limited hours simply will not
cut it as mental health emergencies occur at all times of day and night.
Thank you-
--
Cindy McCullough, M.A., BCBA
She/Her
Chief Executive Officer
Get Social! Therapy, Inc.
916-773-0211 (office)
408-465-9521 (cell)
916-244-0433 (fax)

Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.
~Mahatma Gandhi

The information contained in this transmission is confidential, proprietary and protected pursuant to
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reliance on, the contents of this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
communication in error, please notify the sender immediately and permanently delete the original
message, attachments and all copies.
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 007

From: Jennifer Elton

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 911 Alternatives
Date: Saturday, March 27, 2021 12:14:04 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hello,
I am writing to give my support to funding 24/7 alternatives to 911 for people undergoing mental health crises.
I am a nurse practitioner and have worked with many people in mental health crisis. I have undergone hours of de-
escalation training and understand how delicate and tenuous a situation can be, but also how successful the
outcomes of situations from a trained mental health support team generally are. I have also been in the position of
having to call 911 when a patient has presented a danger to themselves or others, and 911 has been the only pathway
to care. While responding police may have the best intentions, their presence can easily escalate a situation.  Lack of
understanding of the community or specific mental health needs can do real harm to people suffering crisis, even if
they are brought to care centers without incident. And unfortunately, as we have seen all too often in recent years,
these encounters can be deadly for people in crisis.
My understanding is that the city was recently considering spending $10 million to expand the city jail. If these
funds could be made available for incarceration, could they not also be put towards resources that could benefit
Sacramento residents? I would certainly feel much safer knowing that if I or my family needed mental health crisis
services, we would be safely cared for without risk to our safety. I will also be considering this as I go to the voting
booth in future elections.
Thank you,
Jennifer Elton
Sacramento, CA
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 008

From: Ann Clark

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Agenda Item #1 for 3/30 BOS Meeting (Alternatives to 911)
Date: Friday, March 26, 2021 3:05:38 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Board of Supervisors,

I strongly urge you to support an appropriately funded, sustainable, 24/7, community based
mental health crisis response program that is completely separate from law enforcement. 

This adequately funded alternative to 911 crisis response team should consist of:
1) Response teams composed of mental health clinicians, peers with lived experiences, social
workers, and medical clinicians.
3)Crisis services that include housing/shelter, mental health assessments and services, medical
care, medication, crisis stabilization and respite centers. 
4) Funding should come from the $4 million Sheriff Surplus.  
5)An Independent Advisory Board.  
6) No police interference. Police are not adequately trained to make a meaningful clinical
assessment of a person experiencing a mental health crisis. The majority of people
experiencing mental health problems who are taken to jail don’t have access to the treatments
they need. 

Let's give our community access to fair, effective, and humane treatment.  

Thank you,

Ann Clark, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 009

From: Mary Ann

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Agenda Item #1, Board of Supervisors Meeting, 3/30 at 9:30 am
Date: Friday, March 26, 2021 4:48:40 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

The more I learn about law enforcement interactions with people who have mental or
emotional illnesses, the more convinced I become that Sacramento County is far behind in
funding non-police responses to emergency calls that target these unfortunate people. 

Sacramento County has discussed the need to fund social services response teams, but as far as
I can tell, there has been no significant action on these services.  Emergency responses are
needed around the clock, meaning that funding has to cover 24/7 availability of sufficient
professionally qualified staff to deal with mental and psychological crises.  You also know
something about the damage and death that result when law enforcement alone try to resolve
mental health crises. 

It's past time for Sacramento County to deal with the lack of meaningful and professional
social services responders for persons in mental and emotional crises.  The only personnel
available around the clock are police and sheriffs deputies, and there's plenty of evidence that
law enforcement is the entirely wrong profession to handle these crises.

Please put meaningful funding into the County budget in order to make meaningful services
happen.  Hiring, training, and staffing services at all service points around the clock is going to
be costly - several million at the least.  Leaving police and sheriffs deputies as sole responders
to mental health calls is going to cost the county a lot more in terms of public trust, credibility,
and justice.  Many emergency calls are mental health related and do not require police
response.  Use those police dollars to pay mental health professionals.  You only have to look
where we are as a society in our treatment of the homeless and mentally ill to see that avoiding
this commitment is a crime.

Thank you.
Mary Ann Robinson
Sacramento
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 010

From: Pat Paul

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Agenda Item #1
Date: Saturday, March 27, 2021 10:55:01 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

I'm writing in support of a 911 alternative response program in policing requiring the
Board of Supervisors to increase the budget from $1.5 million to at least $15 million
in order to support a 24/7/365 service delivery model.  Something different must
happen and this seems like a good start.
Thank you,
Pat Paul
Sacramento 95814
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 011

From: Anne Marquiss

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Agenda item #1
Date: Friday, March 26, 2021 5:24:00 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

It is critical we fund mental health services that are separate from the police and sheriffs department to respond to
the many mental health crises around our city. This entity needs to be staffed by trained mental health professionals 
and could be funded by the sheriff’s 4 million surplus.

Anne Marquiss 

Sent from my iPhone

 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 012

From: Jessa Cruz

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Agenda item 1
Date: Saturday, March 27, 2021 5:17:24 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

In regards to agenda item 1, as a long time resident of the city of Sacramento, implore you to
consider the following:

1) An appropriately funded, sustainable 24/7, community based mental health crisis response
program that is completely separate from law enforcement. 
2) Response teams composed of mental health clinicians, peers with lived experiences, social
workers, and medical clinicians.
3)Crisis services that include housing/shelter, mental health assessments and services, medical
care, medication, crisis stabilization and respite centers. 
4) Funding should come from the $4 million Sheriff Surplus. 
5)An Independent Advisory Board.  
6) No police interference. Police are not adequately trained to make a meaningful clinical
assessment of a person experiencing a mental health crisis. The majority of people
experiencing mental health problems who are taken to jail don’t have access to the treatments
they need.

Thank you for your consideration,

Jessa 
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 013

From: Doralee Grindler Katonah

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Comment for agenda item #1.
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 6:32:13 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

  I am writing to you today in support of the Sacramento County Board Supervisors proposal for a 24/7 Police-free
mental health resources program. 

     In my opinion this is an extraordinary project that addresses the unfortunate statistic that 1 in 4 people shot and
killed by police have mental illness.  The leaders of this program  have created a well-thought out and organized
approach to crisis intervention and  provide excellent training for volunteers while also wanting to expand their
professional staff.   I understand that recently this Board voted down a proposal to create a new annex to the jail,
freeing up about $!0 million that could be applied to  much needed community resources for Black, Indigenous and
People of Color citizens of Sacramento County.

     A sophisticated program that would provide 24/7/365 days a year services for the Sacramento community that
would intervene with skills to de-escalate conflict and communicate respect and trauma based psychological skills to
assess the help that is needed, is a better solution than sustaining the methods offered by the Police Department.  I
urge you to vote in favor of this proposal and offer your increased trust in the Black community who are sincerely
and carefully trying to find much needed healing interventions for people in crisis.  

Sincerely, Doralee Grindler Katonah, Psy.D., M.Div.

ordained Buddhist priest.
Doralee Grindler Katonah, Psy.D., M.Div.
clinical psychologist
ordained Buddhist priest
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 014

From: Karen Zamd

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Comment for agenda item #1
Date: Friday, March 26, 2021 5:19:13 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Board of Supervisors:

I am writing to comment on Agenda item #1.

Sacramento needs an appropriately funded, sustainable 24/7, community based mental health crisis response
program that is completely separate from law enforcement. Response teams should be composed of trained mental
health clinicians, peers with lived experiences, social workers, and medical clinicians.

We also need additional crisis services that include housing/shelter, mental health assessments and services, medical
care, medication, crisis stabilization and respite centers.

These services should be overseen by an independent advisory board to ensure that mental health, not policing, are
the continued focus. Additionally, there should be total separation and no oversight by the police in any way. As
already proven, police do not have the training to accurately assess mental health conditions nor do they have the
resources to find people appropriate support outside a system that fails folks who are not criminals.

Funding should come from the $4 million Sheriff Surplus.

Thank you,
Karen Zamd
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 015

From: Christine Bailey and Bill Becker

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Comments for March 30 BoS Meeting, Agenda Item #1, 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Response
Date: Friday, March 26, 2021 1:05:40 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Supervisors,

I urge the Board to increase to $15 million the allocation for the Mental Health Crisis
Response alternative to law enforcement. It is critical that this program is adequately
funded in order to meet the needs of the entire county.

It is the right thing to do to provide people with the help they need when they are
experiencing a mental health crisis.  Properly educated and trained mental health experts
can deescalate crises instead of adding trauma when police arrive. In addition to providing
appropriate care for members of our community this program has the potential to save the
County millions of dollars because it is less expense than incarcerated people.

It is appropriate to redirect money from the Sheriff's budget to fully fund this program. 
Perhaps the $10M that is now not being given to the Sheriff's office to fund a new jail can
be allocated for this program.

A fully funded 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Response center will save lives, lessen the suffering
of people in our community, and save money.

I urge you to fully fund this program.

Sincerely,
Christine Bailey
Gold River
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 016

From: Emily Edmond

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: fund free 911 alternatives
Date: Saturday, March 27, 2021 10:34:48 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

We should remove law enforcement from mental health crises. Too often having a police
officer at a scene means injury or worse to people who need help. At best, the police don't
know what they're doing. They way to do that is fund free 911 alternatives and provide the
community with the resources we need to survive and thrive.

Emily Edmond
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 017

From: Katie Hymans

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Fund Mental Health services!!
Date: Saturday, March 27, 2021 3:16:19 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hello —

I am writing in strong support of significantly increasing the $1.5 million

amount to $15 million for the Alternatives to Law Enforcement proposal to
ensure the needs of the entire county are met. Like others, I worry that the
implementation of this pilot as anything other than a service that operates 24/7, is
community-led, and operates without interference from law enforcement - while better
than the current situation where law enforcement responds to all mental health calls -
would be gravely insufficient and neglect almost half of our most vulnerable county
residents. 

Our community has voiced its demands for law enforcement to stop brutalizing
and killing our most vulnerable and at-risk community members when they are
experiencing a mental health crisis. If Sacramento County is going to seriously
consider non-law enforcement crisis response for things like mental health, it needs to
be sufficiently funded to be successful.

Here is what our community needs and deserves:

1. A Sustainable 24/7 Program

2. Funding From the $4 Million Sheriff Surplus

3. An Independent Advisory Board 

4. No Police Interference 

Although police have had training on how to deescalate confrontations with people
with mental illness, it is not reasonable to expect a patrol officer to make a meaningful
clinical assessment of a patient in the field.

Appropriately funding this 911 alternative program with a 24/7 service delivery
model will absolutely save lives. We need to shift how we view individuals
experiencing a mental health crisis. Instead of viewing individuals as dangerous, that
need to be controlled through aggressive or intensive policing, let's look at them as
individuals experiencing a deterioration of their mental health functioning due to the
lack of adequate treatment. Let's give our community access to the treatment it
deserves.

Thank you,
~ Katie Hymans
438 T St, Sacramento 95811
District 1
--
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities. ~ Jean
Houston
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 018

From: Silas Barker

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Item for the Agenda of the Board Meeting
Date: Friday, March 26, 2021 5:23:05 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hi,
I have called and emailed several of the County supervisors about the Sac Air Quality with no
response. The Sac Air Quality gave me incorrect information, and forced me to purchase a
new HVAC system. I don't like that a county department could get away with such wrong
doing. More information on this on your request. 

Can the county begin to defund this program, and make funds available to more essential
departments, such as the police forces, and law enforcement? Record homelessness in the area
needs to be addresses as well as they have moved into our neighborhoods and I even had rocks
thrown at my car. 

Thank you.

Silas Barker 
916.949.9040
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 019

From: Alysen Sharits

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Mental health Crisis Response system
Date: Friday, March 26, 2021 12:29:40 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Sacramento Board of Supervisors,

Sacramento needs a 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Response System. Only having the system for 8
hours a day, is much like not having one at all.  I believe that having a part time system will
cause further confusion as where to contact for help. In addition to this, many people with
mental health issues often have those issues during the night or when they are experiencing
stress.  Bankers hours will not work for this program.  I believe that it may ever cause it to
fail.  It could appear as if the system is not needed because calls are not happening during the
times allotted.

From personal experiences I know that many people who need help or intervention in a mental
health crisis do not call for help.  As a mom of a daughter diagnosed with bipolar disorder. 
Many nights I suffered because my daughter was out of control.  I did not/would not call
police because I did not trust that it would not get out of hand. The last thing I would want
would be for her to be shot or be arrested, when she was agitated. We need help, not
domination. We need options and empathy, not bullets and judgement.  Many times I would
just lock myself in my room and pray for it to pass. Thank God for His protection, because I
was NOT going to get police involved.
As an alternative education teacher, I work with teens 14-21.  Over my 13 years of experience,
I have experienced that many of the calls for help that I have received were in the middle of
the night, or very early morning.  Crisis does not have regular business hours. 

Therefore, I ask that the Board of Supervisors approve a 24 hour Seven day a week system.

Sincerely,

Alysen Sharits, MBAM

(She, her, hers)
916-330-0997
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 020

From: Carmen Wong

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public Comment - Tuesday, March 30, 2021, 9:30am. Agenda Item #1
Date: Friday, March 26, 2021 9:27:56 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

My name is Carmen Wong and I live in county district 1, and I am a member of
Sacramento ACT.

As a multi-faith organization, our shared faith values compel us to fight for a just and
fair community for all. We lament the negative impact and tragic results that have
resulted from law enforcement responding to crises for which they are not trained or
prepared. In addition, we have seen how calling 911 to elicit a law enforcement
response can also result in the criminalization of communities of color and individuals
in need of support services. Some of the realities that concern us deeply are:
The unhoused community, who are in need of resources and services, are
targeted for being considered a nuisance to businesses and residents.
Community members experiencing a mental health crisis can end up
incarcerated, where the overwhelming majority will not have access to the
treatments they need.
White supremacy and anti-blackness has contributed to the weaponization of
911 in the name of “public safety” and can have deadly results for the BIPOC
community.
Undocumented immigrants experiencing a mental health crisis may be
exposed to law enforcement, putting themselves at risk for deportation, simply
because an alternative emergency response system does not exist.

We urge the council to adopt changes to the proposed pilot program in order to
ensure that the needs of all county residents are met, particularly those who are
disproportionately affected by incompetent law enforcement. We support the following
changes that have been proposed and named by many of our community partners:

Ensure that the program operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Ensure that the program is community led and does not have law enforcement
interference
Fund the program for success by redirecting money from the Sheriff’s
Department in order to increase the proposed program budget to $15 million
dollars.

Kind regards,
Carmen Wong
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 021

From: Michael Dack

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public Comment - Tuesday, March 30, 2021, 9:30am. Agenda Item #1
Date: Friday, March 26, 2021 5:51:18 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

My name is Michael Dack and I live in county district 5, and I am a member of Sacramento ACT. As a
multi-faith organization, our shared faith values compel us to fight for a just and fair community for all. We
lament the negative impact and tragic results that have resulted from law enforcement responding to
crises for which they are not trained or prepared. In addition, we have seen how calling 911 to elicit a law
enforcement response can also result in the criminalization of communities of color and individuals in
need of support services. Some of the realities that concern us deeply are:

The unhoused community, who are in need of resources and services, are targeted for being
considered a nuisance to businesses and residents.

Community members experiencing a mental health crisis can end up incarcerated, where the
overwhelming majority will not have access to the treatments they need.

White supremacy and anti-blackness has contributed to the weaponization of 911 in the name of
“public safety” and can have deadly results for the BIPOC community.

Undocumented immigrants experiencing a mental health crisis may be exposed to law

enforcement, putting themselves at risk for deportation, simply because an alternative emergency
response system does not exist. 

We urge the council to adopt changes to the proposed pilot program in order to ensure that the needs of
all county residents are met, particularly those who are disproportionately affected by incompetent law
enforcement. We support the following changes that have been proposed and named by many of our
community partners:

Ensure that the program operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Ensure that the program is community led and does not have law enforcement interference

Fund the program for success by redirecting money from the Sheriff’s Department in order to
increase the proposed program budget to $15 million dollars.

Rev. Michael Dack

3334 Union Springs Way
Sacramento, CA 95827
585.478.7411
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 022

From: Dempseys
To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public Comment - Tuesday, March 30, 2021, 9:30am. Agenda Item #1
Date: Saturday, March 27, 2021 12:11:51 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

My name is Mark Dempsey and I live in county district four, and I am a member of
Sacramento ACT.

As a multi-faith organization, our shared faith values compel us to fight for a just and fair
community for all. Criminalization of communities of color and individuals in need of support
services profoundly does not work. Some of the realities that concern us deeply are:

The unhoused community, who are in need of resources and services, are targeted for
being considered a nuisance to businesses and residents.
Community members experiencing a mental health crisis can end up incarcerated, where
the overwhelming majority will not have access to the treatments they need.
White supremacy and anti-blackness has contributed to the weaponization of 911 in the
name of “public safety” and can have deadly results for the BIPOC community.
Undocumented immigrants experiencing a mental health crisis may be exposed to law
enforcement, putting themselves at risk for deportation, simply because an alternative
emergency response system does not exist.

We urge the council to adopt changes to the proposed pilot program in order to ensure that the
needs of all county residents are met, particularly those who are disproportionately affected by
incompetent law enforcement. We support the following changes that have been proposed and
named by many of our community partners:

Ensure that the program operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Ensure that the program is community led and does not have law enforcement
interference
Fund the program for success by redirecting money from the Sheriff’s Department in
order to increase the proposed program budget to $15 million dollars

Just FYI: U.S. population: 1981 - 229.5 million - 2017 - 325.1 million. That's a 42% increase.

Police funding: 1981 - $40 billion - 2017 - $115 billion. That's a 187.5% increase.

The truth is that for generations, the U.S. has been de-funding the social safety net programs
that would make police force less necessary. This includes releasing mental patients, reducing
welfare, and being miserly with Social Security Disability (you typically have to hire an
attorney to navigate a disability application).

I have friends who are policemen (and women), and I want their jobs to be safer. The social
safety net used to be acknowledged as a cheap way to ensure social peace. Now, it's common
for people to believe only frauds and cheats ("welfare queens") get such support. As billionaire
investing genius Warren Buffet acknowledges, there's a class war going on, "And," says
Buffet, "my class is winning."

This is a change in public policy long overdue. I urge you to make that change.
--Best wishes,
--Mark Dempsey
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 023

From: SalliAnne Maliguine

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public Comment re: Crisis Response
Date: Friday, March 26, 2021 9:36:46 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Supervisor Serna,

I live and work in the city of Sacramento. I strongly urge you to support an appropriately funded, sustainable, 24/7,
community based mental health crisis response program that is completely separate from law enforcement.

This adequately funded alternative to 911 crisis response team should consist of:
1) Response teams composed of mental health clinicians, peers with lived experiences, social workers, and medical
clinicians.
3)Crisis services that include housing/shelter, mental health assessments and services, medical care, medication,
crisis stabilization and respite centers.
4) Funding should come from the $4 million Sheriff surplus. 
5)An Independent Advisory Board. 
6) No police interference. Police are not adequately trained to make a meaningful clinical assessment of a person
experiencing a mental health crisis. The majority of people experiencing mental health problems who are taken to
jail don’t have access to the treatments they need.

Let's give our community access to fair, effective, and humane treatment. 

Thank you,

SalliAnne Maliguine
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 024

From: Quetzal Molina-Cornejo

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Re: Item #1
Date: Saturday, March 27, 2021 2:07:39 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Supervisor Kennedy,

I kindly request as your constituent that you look into properly funding a Mental Health Crisis
Alternative to policing. Please increase the amount currently allocated from $1.5 million to
$15 million. There already exist programs in Sacramento that assist people in crisis, such as
Mental Health First. This group and others like it are community-led and their leadership and
insight could greatly benefit a county program. There should be no police oversight of the
program because they are not mental health professionals. As someone who struggles with
borderline personality disorder this program I can say that a well-funded, 24-7 program will
save lives. Thank you for the work you do.

Best,
Quetzal Cornejo
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 025

From: Michelle Wright

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email; Nottoli. Don; Frost. Supervisor; Kennedy. Supervisor; Supervisor Serna;
[email protected]
Subject: 3/30 BoS Meeting - Item #1
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 11:34:12 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hello, Board of Supervisors,

I support the creation of a 24/7/365 911 alternatives program to respond to those experiencing mental health crises.

Sacramento already has Mental Health First, a successful, health professional and community-run organization.
Trained an unarmed civilian responders on the frontlines pose the least threat to people experiencing mental illness,
because they are trained to be effective while being the least confrontational, so as not to escalate the situation. A
similar program in Eugene, OR, called CAHOOTS has shown that this program has the potential to save taxpayers
$8.5M by effectively handling mental health emergency situations in a non-punitive, life-affirming way.

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department uses more deadly force than 50% go all other Sheriff’s departments in
our state. Deputies are often called to provide services for marginalized community members, and the lack of
specific training within the department leads to arrest, injury, and trauma. Law enforcement tends to treat a person
experiencing a mental health crisis as an armed and/or non-compliant suspect and excessive force results. 1 I every 4
police killings is a person with mental illness. This means that people with mental illness are 16 times more likely to
be killed by the police than other people are.

Furthermore, other county-run health-related departments are already severely underfunded. The Sheriff’s
Department is the largest budget item that the Board has discretionary power over. In the 2019-2020 budget, 37%
went to the Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Scott Jones has already said he wants to get out go the mental health
business completely. There’s $4M that goes unspent by the Sheriff’s Department that should be used to take the
responsibility off of the Sheriff’s Department and put into mental health professions and dedicated community
members.

Additionally, just recently, the Board voted down $10M that was proposed to be spent on a jail expansion. That
money has been freed up and can now be used to fund the 911 alternatives program, too.

Appropriately funding a 911 alternatives program with 24/7 service delivery will save lives. We need to shift how
we view individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Instead of viewing these individuals as dangerous, who
need to be controlled through aggressive or intensive policing, they should be seen as individuals who need
treatment due to deterioration of their mental health.

Thank you,

Michelle Wright,
District 3 resident
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 026

From: Faye Wilson Kennedy

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email; [email protected]; Nottoli. Don; Nava. Lisa; Kennedy. Supervisor;
Hedges. Matt; Frost. Supervisor; Riley. Keaton; Cavanaugh. Cynthia; Wagstaff. Bruce; Sloan. Rebecca; Edwards.
Ann; Rich Desmond; McCarthy-Olmstead. Vanessa; Supervisor Serna
Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]; "Tim Brown"; "Flojaune Cofer"; "Ryan McClinton"; Kevin Carter;
Bob Erlenbusch; Cathleen Williams
Subject: Agenda item #1 March 30, 2021@ 9:30AM for Sacramento County of Supervisors Meeting
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 3:20:19 PM
Importance: High

 
To:        Sacramento County of Supervisors
 
From:    Faye Wilson Kennedy, Sacramento Poor People’s Campaign (Sac PPC) ,
Sacramento Area Black Caucus (SABC) and Southeast Village Neighborhood
Association (SEVA)
 
RE:        Agenda item #1 March 30, 2021@ 9:30AM
 
Our comments on Agenda Item #1- 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Response System:
1. Support the 24/7 24-hour budget.
a. Support significantly increasing the $1.5 million amount to $15 million for
the Alternatives to Law Enforcement proposal to ensure the needs of the
entire county are met.
2. The Crisis Center is a good start- but need to move to a treatment on demand
system   .
a. 24/7 911 Alternatives for Mental Health Crises/Quality of Life Calls
without interference from law enforcement.
b. Our community has voiced its concerns and demands for law
enforcement to stop brutalizing and killing our most vulnerable and at-risk
community members when they are experiencing a mental health crisis.
3. The Advisory Committee needs to be a new committee and not added on to the
current mental health advisory board- the new Advisory Committee must reflect
the diversity of the community including people with lived experience of
homelessness and behavioral health issues.
4. The Teams also needs to reflect the diversity of the community.
 
Thank you for your consideration and attention.
 
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 027

From: O.H. Ammermuller

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Comment for item #1
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 1:51:39 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hello
The board MUST fund the Alternatives to Policing program!! Police are not trained to deal with mental illness and
DONT WANT TO. Also, As a professional in the public health field I’d like to point out that there is zero evidence
based research linking heavier policing with improved public health outcomes. Hire social workers, resource
rehabilitation programs, and get them in the streets!
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 028

From: David Bain

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Cc: Kennedy. Supervisor; Desmond. Rich; Nottoli. Don; Supervisor Serna; Frost. Supervisor
Subject: For March 30th Board Meeting
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 9:40:20 AM
Attachments: 2021 Letter Sac Supervisors diversion.pdf

Hi,
 
Please see attached letter regarding the March 30th Board of Supervisors meeting regarding
establishing Crisis Response teams in Sacramento County.
 
Thank you,
 
David Bain
Executive Director
NAMI Sacramento
 3/28/21

Sacramento County Board of Supervisors

700 H Street, Suite 2450,
Sacramento, CA 95814
[email protected]

RE: March 30th Special Meeting, Item #1

Dear Board of Supervisors,

NAMI Sacramento supports a 24/7/365 Mental Health Crisis program to divert people in crisis
with their mental health from law enforcement/incarceration. On a national level, we
experience the following:

• 1 in 4 people shot by law enforcement between 2015 and 2020 were experiencing a
mental health crisis.
• 2,000,000 times each year, people living with mental illness are booked into jails.
• 80,000 died by drug overdoses in a 12 month period.
• Over 48,000 die by suicide each year.

NAMI – Help Not Handcuffs

The current proposal of M-F, 9 to 6 is insufficient as a mental health crisis cannot be scheduled.
Too many crisis calls will still be answered by law enforcement officers. While we appreciate
their efforts with Crisis Intervention Training, and feel it should continue, officers are not the
best option to respond to most mental health calls. Trained response teams, including a licensed
professional and peer support-specialists, would best handle the majority of the calls. The
CAHOOT’s program in Eugene OR, provides a model that has been running since 1989. They
include an EMT so they can also resolve minor medical issues that might correspond a mental
health call.

While the county’s proposal to create a part time program is due to financial constraints, a
properly funded mental health program will bring about a cost savings to both the county’s
judicial system (both law enforcement and the courts) and hospital emergency departments.
MHSA funding should not be needed at all. CAHOOTS, is estimated to save the Eugene an
estimated $8,500,000 in public safety spending annually. In 2019, Eugene’s CAHOOTS team
answered 17 percent of the police department’s overall call volume. Out of 24,000 calls, police
backup was requested only 150 times.

NAMI Sacramento * PO Box 277147 * Sacramento, CA 95827

Office: 916-890-5467 * email: [email protected] * https://.namisacramento.org
Another crisis continuum program model implemented in Phoenix, Arizona, Crisis Now, is
estimated to have reduced inpatient spending by $260,000,000, preventing $37,000,000 in costs
to hospital emergency departments in 2016. Phoenix saved the equivalent of 37 full-time police
officers and further reduced city fire department costs.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB988

There is legislation proposed at the Federal level that would provide Medicaid funding. Using the
successful model outlined by White Bird Clinic and similar programs across the nation, Senators
Wyden and Masto, along with Representative DeFazio, have introduced the Crisis Assistance
Helping Out on The Streets (CAHOOTS) Act to help states adopt their own mobile crisis response
models through support from Medicaid.

The CAHOOTS Act would provide additional federal Medicaid funding support for state
implementation and administration of multidisciplinary mobile crisis teams that are available
24/7, every day of the year, and trained in trauma-informed care, de-escalation, and harm
reduction to provide voluntary assessment and stabilization services for individuals in crisis, as
well as coordination and referrals to follow-up care and wraparound services, including housing
assistance. Teams must be able to provide or coordinate transportation to help individuals reach
their next step in care.
https://www.finance.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/021721%20CAHOOTS%20One-
Pager%20117th%20Congress.pdf

Having the county adopt a 24/7/365 crisis response model not only make fiscal sense it is the
right thing to do. We at NAMI feel a mental health crisis deserves a mental health response.

Sincerely,

David Bain
Executive Director, NAMI Sacramento

NAMI Sacramento * PO Box 277147 * Sacramento, CA 95827

Office: 916-890-5467 * email: [email protected] * https://.namisacramento.org
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 029

From: Cecilia Flores

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public Comment - Tuesday, March 30, 2021, 9:30am. Agenda Item #1
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 11:52:52 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

My name is Cecilia and I am a staff organizer with Sacramento ACT, and organize
throughout Sacramento County.

As a multi-faith organization, our shared faith values compel us to fight for a just and
fair community for all. We lament the negative impact and tragic results that have
resulted from law enforcement responding to crises for which they are not trained or
prepared. In addition, we have seen how calling 911 to elicit a law enforcement
response can also result in the criminalization of communities of color and individuals
in need of support services. Some of the realities that concern us deeply are:

The unhoused community, who are in need of resources and services, are
targeted for being considered a nuisance to businesses and residents.

Community members experiencing a mental health crisis can end up

incarcerated, where the overwhelming majority will not have access to the
treatments they need.

White supremacy and anti-blackness has contributed to the weaponization of

911 in the name of “public safety” and can have deadly results for the BIPOC
community.

Undocumented immigrants experiencing a mental health crisis may be exposed

to law enforcement, putting themselves at risk for deportation, simply because
an alternative emergency response system does not exist. 

We urge the council to adopt changes to the proposed pilot program in order to
ensure that the needs of all county residents are met, particularly those who are
disproportionately affected by incompetent law enforcement. We support the following
changes that have been proposed and named by many of our community partners:

Ensure that the program operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Ensure that the program is community led and does not have law enforcement
 interference
Fund the program for success by redirecting money from the Sheriff’s Department in
order to increase the proposed program budget to $15 million dollars. 

Cecilia Flores
Community Organizer
[email protected]
(916) 272-5471
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 030

From: Shea Hazarian

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public Comment for BOS Meeting 3/30, Agenda Item 1
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 1:25:13 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Board of Supervisors,

My name is Shea Hazarian and I am a resident of District 1. I am very

thankful that the BOS has committed to evaluating the costs of a 24/7,
non-law-enforcement mental health crisis service in the Sacramento
area, which is desperately needed.

I am strongly in support of increasing the budget allocation for this

program to $15 million, rather than $1.5 million. At least $4 million
of this money can come from the Sheriff department's budget surplus,
and I am in favor of reallocating other Sheriff funds toward non-law
enforcement services for people experiencing mental health crises.

This program should be built around the premise that law enforcement
should not be involved. While I personally do not have a strong
preference for a non-911 number as opposed to referral from the
regular 911 dispatch, the county and mental health stakeholders should
consider which options have the highest chance for law enforcement
involvement, and how dispatchers should be trained to exhaust all
other options before calling law enforcement.

Thank you for your time.

Shea A. Hazarian
Gender pronouns: she/her/hers
[email protected]
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 031

From: Graham Gardner

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email; Supervisor Serna
Subject: Re: Agenda Item #1: In support of a 24/7 911 Alternative
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 11:26:34 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Supervisor Serna,

I am a constituent in Midtown Sacramento and I am writing to encourage you to fully fund a

24/7 911 alternative for mental health crisis response. The proposed $1.5 million pilot
program, while a good step towards the system we need in this community, does not go far
enough. A 911 alternative program must be 24/7 to be effective, and it must be community-led
to be truly sustainable and safe. The money is there to fund such a program; I thank you for
your recent vote against the jail expansion. Some of that proposed money should instead be
invested in a 24/7 mental health crisis response program. Additional funds should also be
reallocated from the Sheriff's Department to fund this essential service.

I believe that the status quo system, which sees far too many people in crisis killed or harmed
by law enforcement, is untenable. This is a significant opportunity to invest in real community
safety. Please do the right thing and fully fund a 24/7 911 alternative program.

Thank you,
Graham Gardner
316 24th St, Sacramento
925.997.0722
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 032

From: bob erlenbusch

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email; [email protected]; Nottoli. Don; Nava. Lisa; Kennedy. Supervisor;
Hedges. Matt; Frost. Supervisor; Riley. Keaton; Cavanaugh. Cynthia; Wagstaff. Bruce; Sloan. Rebecca; Edwards.
Ann; Rich Desmond; McCarthy-Olmstead. Vanessa; Supervisor Serna
Cc: [email protected]; Tim Brown; Faye Kennedy; Flojaune Cofer; Ryan McClinton
Subject: SRCEH Comments on 3/30/21 Agenda Item #1
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 2:24:00 PM
Attachments: Outlook-1466610323.png

Sacramento Board of Supervisors:  

Below are our comments on Agenda Item #1- 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Response System

1.  SRCEH is deeply concerned that somehow this system has changed from an Alternative
9-1-1 system - which includes calls re: mental health, substance use; homelessness;
neighborhood disagreements etc - to be only focused on mental health issues.  This is
evidenced by the proposed staffing of the 2 person teams.  These teams need to be
expanded to include an RN as well as peer advocate with lived experience of
homelessness- additionally- these teams need to reflect the diversity of our community
- including ethnicity; age; and gender identity;
2. SRCEH supports the 24/7 proposed budget;
3. While we agree that the Crisis Center is an important addition to the overall program
design - this should be a first step in the county redesigning its response to behavioral
health issues and move to a treatment on demand system;
4. Call Center- we do not agree that the design of the Call Center should only be in
consultation with law enforcement, since the entire concept of the alternative 9-1-1
system is to move away from a law enforcement-centric system to one that is grounded
in the community.  Hence, we feel it is critical to engage community stakeholders in the
design of the Call Center;
5. Finally,  SRCEH does not support adding additional members of the community to the
current Mental Health Advisory Board.  We feel it is critical to create a new Oversight of
the Alternative 9-1-1 Board that reflects the diversity of the community and in addition
to ethnicity; age and gender identify- includes people with both lived experience of
mental health issues and homelessness.

We look forward to your comments to our recommendations.

Bob
Founding Guiding Principle:
Public policymakers and the community must address the underlying issues of structural racism and its intersections
with class, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disabilities, and the political, economic and social
structures that create
and perpetuate hunger, homelessness, the lack of decent affordable housing and disinvestment in neighborhoods of
color
Bob Erlenbusch
Executive Director
Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness [SRCEH]
Mailing Address:
1026 Florin Road, #349
Sacramento, CA 95831

M:  916.889.4367
www.srceh.org

Tax id#:  46-3175193

all donations are tax deductible
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 033

From: Elise Carroll

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email; Supervisor Serna
Subject: 3/30 BOS - 9/11 alternatives
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 8:25:13 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

We are in strong support of significantly increasing the $1.5 million amount to
$15 million for the Alternatives to Law Enforcement proposal to ensure the
needs of the entire county are met. We worry that the implementation of this pilot
as anything other than a service that operates 24/7, is community-led, and operates
without interference from law enforcement - while better than the current situation
where law enforcement responds to all mental health calls - would be gravely
insufficient and neglect almost half of our most vulnerable county residents. 

Our community has voiced its demands for law enforcement to stop brutalizing
and killing our most vulnerable and at-risk community members when they are
experiencing a mental health crisis. If Sacramento County is going to seriously
consider non-law enforcement crisis response for things like mental health, it needs to
be sufficiently funded to be successful.

I support ALL four of the People’s Budget Sac mental health response
recommendations.

- Elise
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 034

From: Amy Kovak

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 3/30/21 BOS Meeting- Agenda Item #1 Comment
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 4:56:46 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Board of Supervisors, 

The current proposal to provide an alternative to 911 for mental health emergency calls is
insufficient. Sacramento County needs a fully funded 911 alternative that operates 24/7, is
community-led, and operates without interference from law enforcement. A pilot program that will
only address 50% of the demand for services is not acceptable. The 911 alternative can be funded
from the Sherriff Department’s $4 million surplus and the $10 million that was to go to the jail
expansion. This program should have trained response teams that consist of mental health clinicians,
peers with lived experience, social workers, and medical clinicians. We need a program that focuses
on de-escalation, and is trauma-informed, behavioral health-centered, and responsive to race,
culture, gender, and disability. It should also have crisis services that include housing and shelter,
mental health assessment and services, food, water, and other survival needs, medical care and
medication, and crisis stabilization and respite centers. Let us treat individuals having mental health
crises with compassion instead of viewing them as dangerous and aggressive. If we have a fully-
funded alternative to 911 for mental health issues, people will get the help they need instead of
being put in jail. The County will save money and most importantly save lives. 

Sincerely,  

Amy Kovak
Folsom Resident
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 035

From: Trina Allen

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: 911 Alternative
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 11:23:42 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

To: Sacramento County Board of Supervisors 
From: Trina Allen

We are in strong support of significantly

increasing the $1.5 million amount to 
$15 million for the Alternatives to Law
Enforcement proposal to ensure the
needs of the entire county are met. We
worry that the implementation of this pilot
as anything other than a service that
operates 24/7, is community-led, and
operates without interference from law
enforcement - while better than the
current situation where law enforcement
responds to all mental health calls - would
be gravely insufficient and neglect almost
half of our most vulnerable county
residents. 

Our community has voiced its demands

for law enforcement to stop brutalizing
and killing our most vulnerable and at-risk
community members when they are
experiencing a mental health crisis. If
Sacramento County is going to seriously
consider non-law enforcement crisis
response for things like mental health, it
needs to be sufficiently funded to be
successful.

Here is what our community needs and

deserves:

1. A Sustainable 24/7 Program 

We don’t need another pilot – we need a
solution. Sacramento already has Mental
Health First, a successful, health
professional, and community-run
organization. Trained and unarmed civilian
responders on the frontlines pose the
least threat to people experiencing mental
illness because they are trained to be
effective while being the least
confrontational, so as not to escalate the
situation.

It’s important to note that a similar

program in Eugene, Oregon called Crisis
Assistance Helping Out On The Streets
(CAHOOTS) showed that it has the
potential to save taxpayers $8.5 million
dollars by effectively handling mental
health emergency situations in a non-
punitive, life-affirming way.

2. Funding From the $4 Million Sheriff

Surplus 
Other county-run health-related
departments are already severely
underfunded. The Sheriff’s Department is
the largest item that the Board has
discretionary power over. In the 2019-
2020 budget, 37% went to the Sheriff’s
Department. Sheriff Scott Jones already
said he wants to get out of the mental
health business completely. There’s $4
million that goes unspent by the Sheriff’s
Department that should be used to take
the responsibility off of the Sheriff’s
Department and put into mental health
professions and dedicated community
members.

Remember how just a few weeks ago the

Board almost gave $10 million to start
construction on a new jail but then voted
against it? Yeah, they should use that
money to fund a community-led, non-law
enforcement 911 alternatives for mental
health crises program, too.

3. An Independent Advisory Board 

Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department
uses more deadly force than 50% of all
other Sheriff’s departments in our state.
Deputies are often called to provide
services for marginalized community
members, and the lack of specific training
within the department leads to arrest,
injury, and trauma. Law enforcement
tends to treat a person experiencing a
mental health crisis as an armed and/or
non-compliant suspect and excessive
force results. 1 in every 4 police killings is
of a person with mental illness. This
means that people with mental illness are
16 times more likely to be killed by the
police than other people.

4. No Police Interference 
Although police have had training on how
to deescalate confrontations with people
with mental illness, it is not reasonable to
expect a patrol officer to make a
meaningful clinical assessment of a patient
in the field.

For those with mental illness who are

detained and taken to jail, 83% don’t have
access to the treatments they need.
People are often given medication while in
jail and, at best, a bottle of pills and a
referral when they are released, leading to
a revolving door of arrests and short-term
incarceration with no real improvement in
the person’s underlying health.

Appropriately funding this 911 alternative

program with a 24/7 service delivery
model will absolutely save lives. We need
to shift how we view individuals
experiencing a mental health crisis.
Instead of viewing individuals as
dangerous, that need to be controlled
through aggressive or intensive policing,
let's look at them as individuals
experiencing a deterioration of their
mental health functioning due to the lack
of adequate treatment. Let's give our
community access to the treatment it
deserves.
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 036

From: Louise Mehler

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email; Supervisor Serna
Subject: 911 Alternative
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 6:07:21 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Supervisors,

Please be bold in designing and funding a community alternative to law enforcement crisis response. The
system we have does not produce the results we want.

It is crucially important that our alternative program be seen as a clean break from business as usual.
This can readily be achieved by basing the program on the resources and philosophy of Mental Health
First, a successful community-run organization. I hope Sacramento County will embrace the opportunity
to build a full service option available 24/7.

Thank you.
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 037

From: Claire Laurentine

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email; Nottoli. Don; Supervisor Serna; Kennedy. Supervisor; Rich Desmond; Frost.
Supervisor
Subject: 911 Alternatives
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 7:27:33 PM

Hello,
My name is Claire and I live in the Southside Park neighborhood of Sacramento. I am writing
to voice what I believe should be 911 and police alternatives for the upcoming BOS meeting.
I am in strong support of significantly increasing the $1.5 million amount to $15
million for the Alternatives to Law Enforcement proposal to ensure the needs of
the entire county are met. We worry that the implementation of this pilot as anything
other than a service that operates 24/7, is community-led, and operates without
interference from law enforcement - while better than the current situation where law
enforcement responds to all mental health calls - would be gravely insufficient and
neglect almost half of our most vulnerable county residents. 
Our community has voiced its demands for law enforcement to stop brutalizing
and killing our most vulnerable and at-risk community members when they are
experiencing a mental health crisis. If Sacramento County is going to seriously
consider non-law enforcement crisis response for things like mental health, it needs to
be sufficiently funded to be successful.

Here is what our community needs and deserves:

1. A Sustainable 24/7 Program 
We don’t need another pilot – we need a solution. Sacramento already has Mental
Health First, a successful, health professional, and community-run
organization. Trained and unarmed civilian responders on the frontlines pose the
least threat to people experiencing mental illness because they are trained to be
effective while being the least confrontational, so as not to escalate the situation.
It’s important to note that a similar program in Eugene, Oregon called Crisis
Assistance Helping Out On The Streets (CAHOOTS) showed that it has the potential
to save taxpayers $8.5 million dollars by effectively handling mental health
emergency situations in a non-punitive, life-affirming way.
2. Funding From the $4 Million Sheriff Surplus 
Other county-run health-related departments are already severely underfunded. The
Sheriff’s Department is the largest item that the Board has discretionary power
over. In the 2019-2020 budget, 37% went to the Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff
Scott Jones already said he wants to get out of the mental health business
completely. There’s $4 million that goes unspent by the Sheriff’s Department that
should be used to take the responsibility off of the Sheriff’s Department and put into
mental health professions and dedicated community members.
Remember how just a few weeks ago the Board almost gave $10 million to start
construction on a new jail but then voted against it? Yeah, they should use that
money to fund a community-led, non-law enforcement 911 alternatives for mental
health crises program, too.
3. An Independent Advisory Board 
Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department uses more deadly force than 50% of all
other Sheriff’s departments in our state. Deputies are often called to provide services
for marginalized community members, and the lack of specific training within the
department leads to arrest, injury, and trauma. Law enforcement tends to treat a
person experiencing a mental health crisis as an armed and/or non-compliant suspect
and excessive force results. 1 in every 4 police killings is of a person with mental
illness. This means that people with mental illness are 16 times more likely to be
killed by the police than other people. An independent advisory board consisting of
the real stakeholders - community members have been impacted by the
criminalization of mental illness - must be included in this program. 
4. No Police Interference 
Although police have had training on how to deescalate confrontations with people
with mental illness, it is not reasonable to expect a patrol officer to make a meaningful
clinical assessment of a patient in the field.
For those with mental illness who are detained and taken to jail, 83% don’t have
access to the treatments they need. People are often given medication while in jail
and, at best, a bottle of pills and a referral when they are released, leading to a
revolving door of arrests and short-term incarceration with no real improvement in the
person’s underlying health.
Appropriately funding this 911 alternative program with a 24/7 service delivery
model will absolutely save lives. We need to shift how we view individuals
experiencing a mental health crisis. Instead of viewing individuals as dangerous, that
need to be controlled through aggressive or intensive policing, let's look at them as
individuals experiencing a deterioration of their mental health functioning due to the
lack of adequate treatment. Let's give our community access to the treatment it
deserves.

Similar Programs:

M.H. First - Sac

Denver STAR program
CAHOOTS - Eugene, OR

Thank you for reading,

Claire Laurentine
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 038

From: [email protected]
To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Agenda item #1
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 7:13:24 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Please vote in favor of establishing this me tal health crisis response team. It fills a much-needed gap in this city's
ability to react to and effectively manage persons experiencing mental illness, while avoiding dangerous and
potentially violent outcomes. My good friend is a licensed clinical social worker and she is strongly in support of the
proposal, which means that I am also.

Thank you
Erica Tomlinson
2776 18th St
Sacramento CA 95818

Sent from Xfinity Connect Application

 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 039

From: Laura Blosser

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Agenda item #1
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 11:33:20 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hello, 

Agenda Item #1: PLEASE fund the alternatives to 911 at $15 million so that it can function 24
hours a day. This is so important. It will save lives. 

Thank you,
Laura Blosser 
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 040

From: Bell E"s Baubles

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Cc: Nottoli. Don; Supervisor Serna; Kennedy. Supervisor; Frost. Supervisor; Rich Desmond; Rich Desmond
Subject: Alternatives to Police Response
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 11:57:09 PM

Good Morning Supervisors,

I would like to discuss with you why alternatives to response from law enforcement are
necessary and why the funding proposed by supervisor Kennedy is far too modest. The county
is in the practice of criminalizing our citizens and this is not so much because of our elected
officials but from our dependency on systems and institutions to handle our problems. I know
for a fact at least one of supervisors worries often for our law enforcement officers and the
occupational hazards they face daily that could cost them their lives. As a citizen I worry about
what it will cost the county fiscally and physically who are we losing and what will we
determine that life was worth or how will the state turn a profit off of lost freedom? Police are
everywhere in our classrooms, our grocery stores if we invested in housing as we do in law
enforcement at the city and county level we would be in much better shape as a community
and in our revenues as a county. The sheriff's department is bloated with funding and
spokespeople for the union have said it themselves if funding is going to come from anywhere
for community services its going to come from law enforcement's budget.

"“Primarily, every budget cycle, the sheriff’s department is the largest item that the board has
discretionary powers over,” Mickelson said. “If there are any other hot button topics that
people are going to want to fund, there’s really only three places that they can take that
money from: the district attorney, the probation department or the sheriff’s department.”
The $2.78 billion budget that the board adopted in September included $276.4 million for the
Sheriff’s Office, $66.9 million for probation and $62.5 million for the DA’s office."
Please stop criminalizing our neighbors, family, friends, and mentors and start investing in our
resilience and futures. There is no amount of training that you can provide Law Enforcement
that would make them suitable for mental health calls or welfare checks.

Thank You
Maria Elena
Sacramento County Resident
https://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/content/who-owns-sue-frost/29764641/
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 041

From: Padres Organized Community

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Cc: Nottoli. Don; Rich Desmond; Frost. Supervisor; Kennedy. Supervisor; Supervisor Serna
Subject: Alternatives to Police Response
Date: Tuesday, March 30, 2021 12:13:58 AM

Hello Supervisors,

We are sending this email in hopes that you might expand the funding proposed by Supervisor Kennedy. We are aware that some Supervisors worry about the well being and safety of officers on
the job and we worry about citizens who are trying to obtain housing or employment, who may be experiencing emotional duress not being engaged by an employee of the government that the
courts have deemed have no duty to protect (1). We are concerned that a system founded on keeping the marginalized in line (2) has been protected by qualified immunity the house just voted to
pass an Act abolishing this (3) but that won't stop what has been going on for centuries now. We are asking you to follow suit and expand this budget and listen to the people doing the work
locally that M.H.First. We recall hearing from Supervisor Desmond about some policy that was put in place while he was with the CHP. We would like to leave you with these words from a
Sacramento News and Review article from last year. We are asking that you listen to the community. We have seen a year of abuse and selfishness at the expense of our communities.

"“Primarily, every budget cycle, the sheriff’s department is the largest item that the board has discretionary powers over,” Mickelson said. “If there are any other hot button topics that people are
going to want to fund, there’s really only three places that they can take that money from: the district attorney, the probation department or the sheriff’s department.”

The $2.78 billion budget that the board adopted in September included $276.4 million for the Sheriff’s Office, $66.9 million for probation and $62.5 million for the DA’s office." (4)

Please stop criminalizing our neighbors, family, friends, and mentors and start investing in our resilience and futures. There is no amount of training that you can provide Law Enforcement that
would make them suitable for mental health calls or welfare checks.

Thank You

Padres Organized Community

(1) https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2018/12/21/us-judge-says-law-enforcement-officers-had-no-legal-duty-protect-parkland-students-during-mass-shooting/
(2) https://secure-web.cisco.com/1jumkk-UoN0T4iLZZv_QDK7drs0QNkDCy9NDoi6gR3N43ilX2jWuuAAbbCTM7dl5J6jzlOGI_U07FAUguHJcgNzV5vDkP_7C-
UjVchW1xooJBL1TQTgUueuDLKDxdmXyN4ZSYKxIfDpITDTbWy_t6a7ZgqPNHDV1L1ILF-
FJrE9EVHI1N9LlTBqVtCVJGcPQdiANqKoMA6Pds6_FBwRp17y6zqhIm5xWLL6ZeL8i6YG3vnimjJIgrTuZGrH7X5b_SzpY2lE6_GKFNlokUYYUdMYoMdDObzIFa1ZKr7FRLajy7HNePDG-
Qdqu7Qkdd1OKg/https%3A%2F%2F2.zoppoz.workers.dev%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fplsonline.eku.edu%2Finsidelook%2Fbrief-history-slavery-and-origins-american-policing
(3) https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicksibilla/2021/03/04/house-passes-new-bill-to-abolish-qualified-immunity-for-police/?sh=373428732daf

(4) https://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/content/who-owns-sue-frost/29764641/
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 042

From: Eric Dudley

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Board of Supervisors meeting 3/30/2021, agenda item 1
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 7:50:04 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

I would like to provide a comment regarding the following agenda item: Direct Staff To
Continue Developing A 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Response System To Be Included
In The County’s Fiscal Year 2021-22 Revised Recommended Budget (Continued
From February 24, 2021; Item No. 4) (Health Services)

I would like to support Supervisor Kennedy's proposal for a non-police based mental
health crisis response system and go one step further to fully fund the program
instead of launching it as a pilot.

I strongly believe that in the case of mental health emergencies, the presence of
armed police only escalates and creates more dangerous situations. 
Instead:
- Response teams should consist of mental health clinicians, peers with lived
experience, social workers, and medical clinicians.
- Expertise should be de-escalation, trauma-informed, behavioral health-centered,
and responsive to race, culture, gender, and disability.
- Crisis services must include housing and shelter, mental health assessment and
services, food, water, and other survival needs, medical care and medication, and
crisis stabilization and respite centers

Thank you,
Eric Dudley
3340 24th st
Sacramento CA 95818
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 043

From: Jessamyn Lett

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Board of Supervisors meeting 3/30/2021, agenda item 1
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 8:09:21 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

I would like to provide a comment on the following agenda item: Direct Staff To
Continue Developing A 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Response System To Be Included
In The County’s Fiscal Year 2021-22 Revised Recommended Budget (Continued
From February 24, 2021; Item No. 4) (Health Services)

I support Supervisor Kennedy's proposal for a non-police based mental health crisis
response system and would like to see it go from pilot program to full fledged, 24/7,
non-police response system funded by budget that would have otherwise been
allocated to the police. 

Currently the police are spending their time and resources on mental health response
while social workers and medical and mental health clinicians can do the work more
efficiently while better serving the community.  

In the case of mental health emergencies, response teams should be unarmed and
should be experts in de-escalation, trauma-informed, behavioral health-centered
responses.

I strongly urge my representative Phil Serna and all Board members to support this
pilot program now and its future expansion.

Thank you,
Jessamyn Lett
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 044

From: Shea Robinson

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Board of Supervisors Meeting: Agenda Item #1
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 4:36:52 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Board of Supervisors,

I am here in favor of the Alternatives to Law Enforcement Proposal. We need an increased

budget of 15 million to properly assist this effort. This proposal must be a service that
operates 24/7, is community-led, and operates without interference from law
enforcement. Here's what your community and the people you represent are
demanding:

1. A Sustainable 24/7 Program like Mental Health First or Oregon's CAHOOTS, with

trained and unarmed civilian responders on the frontlines.

2. Funding From the $4 Million Sheriff Surplus. The Sheriff’s Department is the largest
item that the Board has discretionary power over. In the 2019-2020 budget, 37% went
to the Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Scott Jones already said he wants to get out of
the mental health business completely. Just a few weeks ago the Board voted against
the new jail expansion. Those 10 million should be used to fund a community-led,
non-law enforcement 911 alternatives for mental health crises program.

3. An Independent Advisory Board consisting of the real stakeholders - community

members have been impacted by the criminalization of mental illness - must be
included in this program. Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department uses more deadly
force than 50% of all other Sheriff’s departments in our state. 1 in every 4 police
killings is of a person with mental illness. This must stop now.

4. No Police Interference. Although police have had training on how to deescalate

confrontations with people with mental illness, it is not reasonable to expect a patrol
officer to make a meaningful clinical assessment of a patient in the field. Appropriately
funding this 911 alternative program with a 24/7 service delivery model will absolutely
save lives. We need to shift how we view individuals experiencing a mental health
crisis. Instead of viewing individuals as dangerous, that need to be controlled through
aggressive or intensive policing, let's look at them as individuals experiencing a
deterioration of their mental health functioning due to the lack of adequate treatment.
Let's give our community access to the treatment it deserves.

Thank you,
Shea Robinson
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 045

From: Danielle Martin

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email; Nottoli. Don; Supervisor Serna; Kennedy. Supervisor; Rich Desmond; Frost.
Supervisor
Subject: BOS Meeting 3/30 - Agenda Item 1
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 9:51:48 PM

Dear Board of Supervisors,

My name is Danielle Martin and I'm a resident of Sacramento County's District 2. I'm writing
to express my support for the 911 Alternatives to Law Enforcement program.

In order to serve our community members experiencing mental health crises, our county needs
a 24/7 community-run, trauma-informed, non-law enforcement crisis response team trained in
de-escalation and best behavioral health practices. I am in strong support of allocating the
Sheriff's $4 million surplus, as well as the $10 million originally proposed for the mental
health unit jail expansion to fund the 911 Alternatives program. Finally, I support the
implementation of an independent advisory board for this program, made up of community
members with lived experience, separate from law enforcement.

Please help support vulnerable and at-risk community members and stop the criminalization of
mental illness. Thank you for your time.

Kind regards,
Danielle Martin
   
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 046

From: Tiki Harlow

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email; Nottoli. Don; Supervisor Serna; Kennedy. Supervisor; Rich Desmond; Frost.
Supervisor
Subject: BOS Meeting 3/30/21; Agenda Item #1
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 7:03:42 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Supervisors,

This email regards your Agenda Item #1 at the BOS meeting to be held on 3/31/21.  I believe it is essential that we,
as a community, demand that crisis response in our county be community-based.  The time is NOW.  Response
teams should consist of mental health clinicians, peers with lived experience, social workers, and medical clinicians.
Expertise should be on de-escalation, trauma-informed, behavioral health-centered, and responsive to race, culture,
gender, and disability. Crisis services must include housing and shelter, mental health assessment and services, food,
water, and other survival needs, medical care and medication, and crisis stabilization and respite centers.

Imagine yourself or a loved one in the midst of crisis, be it medical, mental health, or other.  Imagine that the people
sent to “help” you or your loved one are armed and likely perceived by you or your loved one to be afraid of you. 
You would be right in expecting that the treatment you will receive is not likely to be friendly, caring, or address the
root of the issues you are facing. This is the experience of so many people in mental health crisis when the police are
sent to respond to their situation.  In the best possible outcome, the “problem” is temporarily addressed, but will
certainly reoccur; in the worst outcome, the situation will escalate, possibly involve violence and/or incarceration,
and result in increased suffering and possible long-term consequences for the person in crisis, while doing nothing to
improve real community safety.

It is imperative that the Board increase the proposed diversion of $1.5 million Sheriff dollars to community-based
crisis response to $15 million for the Alternatives to Law Enforcement Proposal.  Our community needs a
sustainable 24/7 program, not another “pilot” program.  It is important that this funding come the Sheriff’s
Department, and not from the other already underfunded county-run health-related departments.  To ensure success
of this program, an independent advisory board, consisting of community members who have been impacted by the
criminalization of mental illness, must be included in the program. 

Sincerely,

Tiki Harlow
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 047

From: David Harlow

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email; Nottoli. Don; Supervisor Serna; Kennedy. Supervisor; Rich Desmond; Frost.
Supervisor
Cc: Tiki Harlow
Subject: BOS Meeting 3/30/21; Agenda Item #1
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 10:03:30 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Supervisors,

This email regards your Agenda Item #1 at the BOS meeting to be held on 3/31/21.  I believe it is
essential that we, as a community, demand that crisis response in our county be community-based.  The
time is NOW.  Response teams should consist of mental health clinicians, peers with lived experience,
social workers, and medical clinicians. Expertise should be on de-escalation, trauma-informed, behavioral
health-centered, and responsive to race, culture, gender, and disability. Crisis services must include
housing and shelter, mental health assessment and services, food, water, and other survival needs,
medical care and medication, and crisis stabilization and respite centers.

It is imperative that the Board increase the proposed diversion of $1.5 million Sheriff dollars to
community-based crisis response to $15 million for the Alternatives to Law Enforcement Proposal.  Our
community needs a sustainable 24/7 program, not another “pilot” program.  Other cities, like the Eugene,
Oregon," CAHOOTS" program, have shown that this can work.  It is important that this funding come the
Sheriff’s Department, and not from the other already underfunded county-run health-related departments. 
To ensure success of this program, an independent advisory board, consisting of community members
who have been impacted by the criminalization of mental illness, must be included in the program. 

Sincerely,

David Harlow
Carmichael, CA
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 048

From: Courtney Poole

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email; Nottoli. Don; Frost. Supervisor; Rich Desmond; Supervisor Serna; Kennedy.
Supervisor
Subject: Comment on Agenda Item #1- 3/30
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 9:47:13 PM

 Good evening,

This comment on Agenda Item 41can be read aloud.

My name is Courtney Poole, and I live in District 1.  Thank you for listening to the community
last meeting that you voted on 911 alternatives.  I demand that you continue to listen to
community voices.  This message is to remind you of the community demands to increase the
program budget to at least $15 million and to include the following:

Create a program that is 24/7.  Many mental health crises occur after business hours. At
least $15 million needs to be invested into this program in order for the program to
effectively support community needs.  If it is not 24/7, law enforcement will still largely
be involved in responding to mental health crises, which we already know is not
working!
take this money from the Sheriff's unspent budget.  Every year, the sheriff reports not
spending $4million, let's invest four years of this!  We need to divert these funds from
the sheriff.   This is part of the national call to reinvest law enforcement dollars into the
community and start taking care of each other instead of harming.
No collaboration with the police; this project needs to be independent of the police and
have an independent advisory board to inform the design and implementation of the
program.  We need the expertise of lived experience. 
ensure that these programs are allowed to interact with community members without
police involvement with independent dispatch systems.  We have a great model already
being implemented in sacramento called MH First.  That connected with community
mental health programs for follow up and services.

Thank you,
Courtney Poole
District 1

Sent from my iPhone

 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 049

From: Kayla Kitson

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Comment on Agenda Item #1 for 3/30/21 BOS meeting
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 6:39:29 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Supervisors,

I am a resident of District 1 and I want to express my support for significantly increasing the
allocation for the mental health crisis response/ 911 alternative proposal from $1.5 million to
$15 million in order to support a fully functional, community-led service that operates 24/7
instead of another pilot program. I also support re-purposing $4 million of unspent Sheriff's
Department funding for this program and the creation of an independent advisory board to
oversee the program which includes community members who have been impacted by the
criminalization of mental illness.

Thank you,
Kayla Kitson
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 050

From: Robyn Ayres

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Cc: Rich Desmond
Subject: Item #1 - Board of Supervisors Mtg. 3/30/21 Public Comment
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 8:04:59 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Supervisor Desmond and the rest of the Board of Supervisors,

My name is Robyn and I live in District 3.  I am writing today in support of Sacramento
County implementing a 24/7 mental health crisis response system. The proposal put forward
by County staff should be followed.  As more research is done and the response system is
implemented, I suggest that the County earmark $14 million for the program as a good faith
statement to the public.  $10 million was saved by abandoning the mental health jail annex and
there is a $4 million surplus in the Sheriff budget.

Additionally, I wanted to point out an important piece of the report provided by County staff. 
They mention how using the current 911 call center, that staff would have access to whether
callers have a history of "criminal offenses" and the need for an armed response.  This type of
mindset is exactly why we do not need to have a call center connected to law enforcement. 
Sacramento County and throughout this country, we have a law enforcement system
fraught with over policing and incarcerates people of color and those in poverty
disproportionately. We need a mental health response that is not based on the "criminal
history" of the caller, but one based on the needs of the caller.

Lastly, there were concerns expressed about being able to find folks to hire.  I would implore
the County to look to Mental Health First (MH First) as where to start when considering
hiring.  They have been providing this service to our community on a voluntary basis for over
a year now.  We should be honoring their work and dedication to our community.

I feel hope for our County and am looking forward to see how such a crisis response system
can bring hope and care to our community as well as reduce the jail population.  You have
heard Care Not Cages for a while now and this is a great step to actually carrying this out and I
fully support this direction and ask that you all will support this move for all Sacramento
County residents.  Please support a 24/7 system with a separate call center and earmark $14
million for this.  Thank you.

Robyn
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 051

From: Rebecca Furniss

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: People’s Budget
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 5:52:01 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

DEMAND MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS HANDLE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS!

1.  A Sustainable 24/7/365 Mental Health & Quality of Life Crisis Response Program – Not a Pilot

2.  Funding From the $4 Million Sheriff Surplus + the $10 Million that was going to be spent on starting the New
Jail Facility

3.  An Independent Advisory Board consisting of Community Members, the Real Stakeholders

4.  First Responders that are NOT Law Enforcement – Trained & Experienced Mental Health Professionals along
with Peer Support Specialists - No Police/Sheriff Interference

#CantGetWellInACell #CareNotCages #DeescalateNotIncarcerate #My911Story #Sacramento #916

#SacramentoProud #powertothepeople #SacCounty

Sent from Rebecca’s iPhone

 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 052

From: Lauren Low

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public Comment Alternatives to 911
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 8:19:39 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Hello,

My name is Lauren Low and I call on the board to invest fully in the alternatives to 911 pilot program. In order to
meet the full demand, the pilot needs significantly better funding and should operate 24/7. Money should be diverted
from the sheriff’s budget surplus to ensure this program is adequately funded for success. Additionally, the process
needs to be community led without police intervention. In order for this model to work safely, frontline responders
should be mentor health professionals and peers trained in trauma response and deescalation. The alternatives to 911
program can save lives, but we must execute this project properly, with adequate funding and without the
involvement of law enforcement.

Sent from my iPhone

 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 053

From: Corrine Sako

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email
Subject: Public Comment for 3/30/21 BOS meeting - item #1
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 3:58:50 PM
Attachments: 911Alt Coalition letter with org logos.pdf

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Please see attached for a letter from the Mobilize for Mental Health coalition

--
Dr. Corrine McIntosh Sako, PsyD, LMFT
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
www.drcorrinemcintosh.com
1329 Howe Avenue, Suite 201
Sacramento, CA  95825
tel (916) 202-1890

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This communication, including any attachments, may be privileged and
confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, dissemination, distribution or copying of this
communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately
notify the sender by telephone or e-mail, and permanently delete all copies, electronic or other, you may
have. The foregoing applies even if this notice is embedded in a message that is forwarded or attached.
March 30, 2021

To: Sacramento County Board of Supervisors

Supervisor Sue Frost, Chair
Supervisor Don Nottoli, Vice Chair
Supervisor Phil Serna
Supervisor Patrick Kennedy
Supervisor Rich Desmond

Dear Sacramento County Board of Supervisors,

We the undersigned are in strong support of significantly increasing the $1.5

million proposed funding for a 911 alternatives pilot program operating Monday
through Friday 9am to 6pm to $15 million for a Mental Health Crisis Response
System as an Alternative to Law Enforcement Response program operating 24
hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure the needs of the entire county are met. We
worry that the implementation of this pilot as proposed by county staff, while better than
the current situation where law enforcement responds to all mental health calls, would
be gravely insufficient and neglect almost half of our most vulnerable county residents.

Sacramento County needs proactive, pre-emptive, and collaborative interventions

to address mental health issues that escalate to critical levels.

• 5-20% of all US police incidents involve a person with mental illness. Although
police have had training on how to deescalate confrontations with people with
mental illness, it is not reasonable to expect a patrol officer to make a meaningful
clinical assessment of a patient in the field. Law enforcement tends to treat a
person experiencing a mental health crisis as an armed &/or non-compliant
suspect and excessive force results.
 2
• In fact, 1 in every 4 police killings is of a person with mental illness. This
means that people with mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed by the
police than other people. Coupled with the fact that the Sacramento County
Sheriff’s Department uses more deadly force than 50% of all other Sheriff’s
departments in our state, it is vital that we provide trained and unarmed civilian
responders that are licensed and have the expertise needed to be on the
frontlines of non-violent calls for service, as they pose the least threat to people
experiencing mental illness. These mental health professionals and peer support
counselors are trained to be effective while being the least confrontational, so as
to not escalate the situation.

• A similar program in Eugene, Oregon called Crisis Assistance Helping Out On

The Streets (CAHOOTS) showed that it has the potential to save taxpayers
$8.5million dollars by effectively handling mental health emergency situations.
Also, the Support Team Assistance Response (STAR) team in Denver,
Colorado - another program whose goal is to divert individuals away from the
criminal justice system and instead utilize a trauma-informed approach to
individuals who may benefit from the unique education and expertise of a mental
health clinician and an emergency medical technician - did not require law
enforcement assistance in any of the 748 calls it handled during a six-month
period.

For those with mental illness who are detained and taken to jail, 83% don’t have
access to the treatments they need. Because they come straight from police custody
- again, from the custody of individuals who are not trained to make meaningful clinical
assessments of patients in the field - they are given only limited screening &
inconsistent mental health care. People are often given medication while in jail &, at
best, a bottle of pills & a referral when they are released - leading to a revolving door of
arrests & short-term incarceration with no real improvement in the person’s underlying
mental health.

The People’s Budget Sacramento, a nonpartisan grassroots coalition focused on

empowering the community to influence city and county priorities, surveyed thousands
of residents and found that, by far, the top priority for investment is community-
based mental support. The second most popular was housing support and
homeless services, followed by public health and healthcare services. The vast
majority of residents identified law enforcement dollars as the most logical place to
make cuts, including the Sheriff’s Department and the county jail system.

• The Sheriff’s Department currently receives over a third of our General Fund
dollars; and the law enforcement/carceral system currently receives over 70%.
There is $4 million dollars that goes unspent by the Sheriff’s department
that can be used to fund a sustainable 24/7 program where mental health
professionals respond to mental health emergencies without police
interference.

The priorities of residents are clear: the People of Sacramento County want to spend
less on traditional approaches to public safety and increase investments directly into
 3
their communities. We hope you will vote to support a 911 Alternative Program for
Mental Health Crises that operates 24/7, is community-based, has an independent
advisory board, and does not have law enforcement interference. Additionally, we
advocate for the program to be robustly funded using Sheriff’s Department dollars
bequeathed by taxpayers.

At the time of signing this letter, we have collected 465 signatures from the
community on a petition with the following demands:

1. Provide services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

2. Do not use funds from other county-run health departments that are
already severely underfunded
3. Have an independent advisory board that consists of community
members, the real stakeholders in this program
4. Have trained & experienced mental health professionals – not
underqualified & unlicensed counselors - responding to mental
health crises without interference from law enforcement.

We urge you to delay your vote on this program for two weeks while county staff
develop a more robust Alternatives to 911 program that meet the demands of the
community.

Best regards,

Sacramento Valley Psychological Association

National Association of Social Workers, California Chapter
Justice Unites Individuals and Communities Everywhere (J.U.I.C.E)
The People’s Budget Sacramento
Social Justice Politicorps for Sac County
M.H. First, Sacramento
Anti-Police Terror Project, Sacramento
Public Health Advocates
NAACP Youth Council
NorCal Resist
All of Us or None
Sacramento Change Coalition
Sunrise Movement Sacramento
Sacramento Street EMS, District 1
Showing Up For Racial Justice (SURJ) Sacramento
Sacramento Area Congregations Together (Sac ACT)
LIVE FREE
New Creation Church
Council on American-Islamic Relations, Sacramento Valley (CAIR-SV)
Equity Advisory Committee for California First Response Transformation
Justice 2 Jobs Coalition (J2J)
Power to Persist
Ms Mable Sparrows, Inc.
 4
Berry Accius, Voices of the Youth, Community Advocate
Leia Schenk, EMPACT, Community Advocate
Sonia Lewis, EDIFY Humanity, Liberate Blackness Now, Educator & Community
Advocate
 ITEM 1 BOS PUBLIC COMMENT 054

From: Shanna Atherton

To: Clerk of the Board Public Email; Rich Desmond
Subject: Public Comment on Item 1 (3/30/21 Supervisors meeting)
Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 10:55:28 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL: If unknown sender, do not click links/attachments.

Dear Board Members, 

I am a community member from District 3, and I urge you to make significant

investments in a meaningful alternative to the current 911 response model now.  If
Sacramento County is going to seriously a consider non-law enforcement crisis
response model, it needs to be sufficiently funded to be successful, and it needs to be
operated 24/7, without police interference. Mental health crises don't understand
clocks; who responds to community members in crisis should not be governed by the
time crises occur. 

Our community needs and deserves a fully funded 911 alternative, funding which
should not come from an already underfunded department, but rather from the $4
million surplus in the Sheriff's budget and the $10 million saved by the county's
decision not to proceed with the jail expansion. 

Our community needs and deserves funding to go to a 911 response alternative free
of police interference, one that is community-led and comprised of professionals
trained to de-escalate mental health crises. Mental Health First has a proven track
record of providing these services to our community. 

Our community needs and deserves your full commitment to this effort. Please invest
significant funding into a 24/7, community-led 911 response alternative and show us
that you are committed to making positive changes that will save lives.

Sincerely,

Shanna Atherton-Bauer

Virus-free. www.avg.com
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COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MEETING DATE:

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021

NO MATERIAL

COUNTY EXECUTIVE COMMENTS

 3

COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MEETING DATE:

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021

NO MATERIAL

Supervisors Comments, Reports And Announcements