Santa Clara County considers reallocating PERT officers to mobile crisis response team

During the City Council meeting held on May 5, 2025, in Palo Alto, significant discussions centered around mental health services and transportation improvements, reflecting the city’s ongoing commitment to addressing community needs.

A key topic was the funding and management of mental health resources, particularly the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT). Council members expressed concerns about potential reallocations of PERT officers to the Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) by Santa Clara County. Despite these uncertainties, the city plans to maintain its PERT officer, funded through Stanford University Medical Center (SUMC) resources. The discussion highlighted the importance of having access to medical records for effective mental health assessments and treatments. City officials reassured that there is a contingency plan to secure a clinician if necessary, emphasizing the program's critical role in the community's mental health response.

In addition to mental health services, the council addressed transportation issues, particularly the bike and pedestrian plan. Council member Blue pointed out that the current allocation of $500,000 per year for the implementation of this plan may not suffice to achieve the desired outcomes. He raised questions about the potential for aligning traffic calming funds with the bike and pedestrian initiatives to create a more cohesive approach to improving transportation safety and accessibility.

The discussions during this meeting underscored the city’s proactive stance on mental health and transportation, aiming to enhance community well-being and infrastructure. As the council moves forward, the focus will remain on securing necessary funding and resources to support these vital programs, ensuring that both mental health services and transportation improvements meet the growing demands of the community.