On a typical day, thousands of homeless and mentally ill people are behind bars in Los Angeles County’s jails. But more than half of them would be good candidates to divert into housing with supportive services instead, according a new study from the Department of Health Services. If enough housing and services were available, nearly 3,000 people in custody at …
National Leaders in Law Enforcement Agree on Mental Health and Justice System Solutions
The nation’s first response to mental health crises is often dangerous for all involved, say experts. April 10, 2019 – (DENVER, COLO.) – The way we currently address mental health amounts to a public health crisis, say law enforcement department and policy leaders. The lack of access to mental health care for many communities places an overwhelming burden of mental …
Law Enforcement Leaders Agree: Communities Must Step Up to Address Mental Health Needs Preventatively
On November 13 and 14 in Los Angeles, the Equitas Project convened 90 leaders and decision-makers in law enforcement for the Course Corrections: National Law Enforcement Summit. Participants at the event included police chiefs, sheriffs, and district attorneys from across the country, as well as national advocacy organizations with a stake in law enforcement issues. Summit participants spent a day …