San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez and mental health experts are warning that proposed state budget cuts could eliminate mandatory funding for Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRTs), which have responded to over 32,000 calls in the county since 2021. The teams, staffed by trained civilians, divert law enforcement from mental health emergencies and connect individuals to long-term care.
Under Governor Gavin Newsom's revised budget, mobile crisis services would become optional and county-funded starting in April 2027, potentially costing San Diego County $24 million annually. Experts say the change would create a patchwork system and undermine progress in crisis care, especially as federal cuts to Medi-Cal are expected to increase demand for services.