HART team responds to incident in Belvedere

Suspect allegedly threatened officer with a machete

Last year, Albemarle County launched a new public safety team designed to respond to service calls where individuals or groups are believed to be in a mental health crisis.

Today a Human Services Alternative Response Team consisting of a police officer, a fire/rescue officer, and a social services worker was called to the 700 block of Belvedere Boulevard after a trespassing call was received by the Emergency Communications Center. 

“Upon arrival, HART located an individual in distress at this location,” reads a press release about the incident. “Team members attempted to speak with the individual who showed a need for mental health services.” 

The group determined through observation that an emergency custody order was needed and soon obtained.  Under Virginia code, a magistrate can issue such an order if certain criteria are met. Take a look at the law for the details. 

“Additional units from ACPD and ACFR responded to assist in taking the individual to be evaluated for mental health services,” the release continued. 

There were no shots fired involved with this incident. 

Further information was revealed later in the evening in another press release.

“The individual in distress that was taken into custody on an emergency custody order had outstanding warrants in Albemarle County and brandished a machete at responding officers. Officers utilized less lethal force when taking the individual into custody. No officers were injured, and the individual sustained minor injuries during the incident.”

HART launched in July 2023 and in its first six months responded to calls for 150 people.

“112 were experiencing a mental health crisis and 34 were suffering with substance use,” said Albemarle Public Information Officer Logan Bogert in an email. “Those figures do not reflect the numerous follow-up calls and visits HART makes with these individuals.”

In this case, I also asked what would happen to the person involved in today’s incident.

“The individual will be evaluated by a mental health professional who will determine if the person in crisis should be held on a temporary detention order (TDO) or if the ECO will expire,” Bogert responded. “In general, an ECO is for an 8-hour period, but there are circumstances in which extensions of an ECO can be granted.”

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