Our Work with the Town of Gilbert, Arizona
Gilbert, AZ, one of the fastest-growing communities in the United States, has embarked on an ambitious journey to become the "City of the Future". This mission is driven by innovative solutions that anticipate change and create a sustainable future for its residents. A pivotal step in this journey was partnering with SDG Group to implement a Data Governance Strategy, engineer a centralized data technology stack, and support data visualization creation as part of their Performance Management initiative.
In this article, we are proud to highlight a portion of Gilbert’s larger success story by showcasing their “Mental Health Calls/Crisis Response Team” dashboards. Fill out the form below to access the full success story:
Background: The Launch of the Crisis Response Team
In Fall 2022, the Gilbert, AZ Police Department introduced the Crisis Response Team (CRT), a specialized unit consisting of four police officers and a sergeant. The CRT is distinguished by its members' advanced training in crisis intervention, de-escalation tactics, and crisis negotiations. Unlike standard patrol officers, CRT officers have dedicated time and resources to connect individuals with necessary services, including professional mental health care, veteran-specific services, and support for homeless individuals.
CRT Dashboard: A Tool for Insight and Improvement
The CRT dashboard offers detailed insights into the types and volume of calls that the Crisis Response Team handles during their duty hours. Some typical calls that may be routed to CRT officers include:
- Welfare checks
- Emergency mental health petitions
- Domestic violence incidents
While the dashboard does not cover every type of call the CRT may respond to, it provides a clear picture of their primary activities and the demand for their services.
Addressing Mental Health Needs Through Data
As Gilbert PD continues to collect data on CRT activities, they plan to use these insights to better understand the mental health needs of the community. The data collected will help assess the effectiveness of the CRT and refine their role in providing essential support to the most vulnerable individuals. This data-driven approach ensures that the CRT can adapt and improve their services, ultimately enhancing the well-being and safety of the community.