Mobile Crisis Response Units: One of my top priorities when I joined the Board was doing the hard work of bringing people together to address the mental health crisis on our streets in a holistic regional way. For years, our various law enforcement agencies have been forced to bear the burden of our failure to properly invest in providing the right care, to the right person, in the right way. But we’ve finally taken action, as a County, to make sure mental health episodes are responded to by trained clinicians as part of our Mobile Crisis Response units, and this frees up law enforcement to focus on the jobs they were actually trained to do -- keeping our communities safe. Recently, we brought together our local law enforcement agencies to announce that, as of this past Monday, we now have a system in place that will route 911 calls for non-emergency mental health matters straight to the Mobile Crisis Response teams. We still want folks to call our crisis line if you see someone in need of help, but this will help us match incoming needs with the right services.
Fighting Discrimination: Our board meetings see its fair share of passion policy debates, but last week, as we considered an ordinance to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women, we saw it devolve into a heart-breaking display of vile intolerance rooted in fear. Fear of the other. That’s not who we are. So our board, as a reflection of our community, will continue to extend love, empathy, and compassion to the trans community and every other group that finds them being attacked for being born a little different. So here’s my message to you or someone in your life who may feel vilified and discriminated against for who they are or who they love: we love you just as you are, and we will fight to protect you. Here’s what I had to say last Tuesday.
Learning on the fly: Check out this story! Mid-flight the pilot in a small plane becomes incapaciated and the only passenger on board sends out a distress call on the radio. Amazingly, a calm air traffic controller managed to “teach” the passenger how to land the plane safely at a Florida airport. Wow.
Endorsement: In case you missed it, last week I was endorsed by the San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board saying in part: “Fletcher took one of the main roles in detailing how the county was handling its public health responsibilities after the pandemic exploded in 2020 — emphasizing vaccinations, outreach to underserved communities and cautious behavior in public settings. He was unfazed by the personal attacks and name-calling he faced. He never lost sight of the fact that the great majority of county adults were getting vaccinated and not buying disinformation campaigns.”
I know we have a lot more to do–homeless, mental health, housing and fighting for good jobs, but I stand by my record of the last four years. If you agree, then please consider helping us out! I face some tough opposition and could use your help.
Proud Papa: This week, my son Max graduated from the advanced machine gun course at Camp Pendleton. Going back on a Marine Corps installation is always special, but the last few years it has taken on extra meaning as I am now a Proud Marine Corps Dad. Love this man and his commitment to service.
