Dedicated to preventing targeted acts of violence and enhancing public safety

Purpose

In cases of immediate danger, call 911.

Protect Lake County is not a formal Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Team but is available to offer suggestions and recommendations that are consultive in nature about next steps. The presenting member agency is responsible for taking any follow-up steps and managing the case.

Some behaviors that might indicate targeted violence and would be worth submitting a referral would be:

  • Concerning interest in violent topics, content, or groups

  • Acts of aggressive or violent behavior, such as domestic violence, animal cruelty, harassment

  • Attempts to gain access or proximity to a target

  • Direct threats made virtually or in-person

  • Activities, behaviors, or communications indicating preparation for end of life

  • Concerning deviation from individual’s prior routine

  • Communications signaling increased desperation or distress

  • Concerning preoccupation for a person, place, belief, or cause

  • Communications that indicate a potential for harm to self or others

  • Concerning interest in violent topics, content, or groups

Refer a Case

The purpose of the case review to provide advice to the Participating Member Agencies (PMAs) for cases involving persons displaying concerning behaviors. Any PMA may present cases involving persons of interest (POI) to seek advice about potential intervention and management strategies.

PMA's may also present cases to the Case Review Team on behalf of other agencies who are not members of Protect Lake County. The responsibility for assessing and managing the case rests with the originating agency.

Case Referrals

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis in a non-emergency situation, call 988.

For cases in which a Participating Member Agency (PMA) is seeking advice from the Case Review Team, a representative should contact the Intake Coordinator.

  • A formal Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management is not required to present a case.

  • The case review process is not a substitute for 911.

If there is a threat of violence involving homicide, suicide, or use of weapons (e.g., firearms, bombs, knives, or other devices that can cause serious bodily harm) AND the PMA is a non-law enforcement agency:

  • The PMA should first contact the appropriate law enforcement agency to determine if any imminent risk for violence exists and to mitigate that risk.

  • The PMA may contact the Intake Coordinator for case consultation once the imminent risk for violence has been mitigated. At that time, the Intake Coordinator member should work with the PMA to determine if the case involves heightened risk.

Cases may be determined to be a heightened risk for violence if any one of the following factors is present:

  • Homicidal ideations

  • Suicidal ideations

  • Domestic violence (history or current)

  • Evidence of research, planning, and/or preparation related to the attack

  • POI has access to weapons

  • Overwhelming feelings of despair, isolation, or final act behavior

  • Interest in attackers or violent extremism

  • Evidence suggesting the presence of an untreated serious mental illness or crisis

The PMA upon contacting the Intake Coordinator should report on whether the case may have one or more of the factors associated with heightened risk.

The Intake Coordinator will consult with the case review team leadership to determine whether the elevated risk of violence warrants an ad hoc meeting.

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Referral

Assessment for Heightened Risk for Violence

Case Presentation

The Intake Coordinator should provide the PMA with the Case Review Worksheet to assist the PMA in documenting any known information.

The Intake Coordinator may invite any additional members of the PMA to participate in the case review meeting.

During the case review, the PMA personnel should present the case to members of the Case Review Team.

Those attending the case review may share information and provide advice on assessment and management strategies based on the information shared. The PMA is not obligated to implement any of the recommendations.

Follow Up

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PMAs are responsible for case management and follow up.

The PMAs may be contacted by the Case Review Team to provide periodic updates on the case.

Confidentiality

Team members will not document, gather, or store notes related to the case.

Team members will not discuss the case with others outside the Protect Lake County consortium, whether verbally or in written form, without explicit permission by the PMA.

Case Review Process

Contact

Reach out for questions or support:

info@protectlakecounty.org

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