About 83 of these individuals were taken to a behavioral health unit or psychiatric health facility for care.
Corinne Hyland, spokesperson for the county’s Human Services Agency, said the county has 16 total inpatient psychiatric beds all located at a facility in Soquel operated by Telecare. Three of the five law enforcement agencies included in the survey – the Sheriff’s Office along with the Watsonville and Santa Cruz police departments – work with local mental health liaisons that bring a behavioral health expertise to service calls. Local organizations such as Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health, Encompass Community Services, Homeless Resource Project and more have partnered with law enforcement for liaison services, according to the report.