HELP WANTED: Local law enforcement leaders look for answers to confrontations
Published 5:15 am Sunday, February 12, 2017
- Local law enforcement officials are raising concerns about confrontations with residents who have severe mental illness
The concern, expressed by Cullman Police Chief Kenny Culpepper and Sheriff Matt Gentry, is that once officers are able to diffuse a situation, there are few options for treating someone who needs longterm care.
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“Any law enforcement executive can tell you the cuts to state mental health and the closing of hospitals with longterm care rooms has pushed a lot of mentally ill people back into their homes, struggling to survive with no way to get help,” Culpepper said.
“Sadly, a lot of them end up in the correctional system. There are many more mentally ill people in the correctional system than in mental health facilities in Alabama.”
Culpepper opened up about mental health funding after a tragic standoff with a Cullman man ended when a gasoline soaked house went up in flames Feb. 1 with Frank Kane inside.
Police, Cullman County Sheriff’s deputies, firefighters and a mental health professional were called to the scene by a family member and were attempting to talk Kane into coming out and seek treatment. Police attempted to send a phone to Kane to start negotiations, but the house ignited inside and Kane died inside.
Police were familiar with the victim from past incidents, which ended favorably.
Culpepper lamented that too many people are unable to gain admission to a facility with longterm treatment options, a sentiment Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry echoed.
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“It’s an issue that we’re dealing with on a daily basis,” Gentry said. “You have people with untreated mental illnesses and those who have drug-induced mental issues. Because there’s no place for them to receive the treatment they need, they end up on the streets.”
The state has opted to reduce spending on mental health, along with other services tied to the struggling General Fund. Longterm care facilities collapsed like dominoes in the process.
As a consequence, Culpepper said state prisons and local detention centers become homes to people who extensive mental health services. Instead, he noted, they are left in facilities, charged with crimes that in some cases could have been avoided with better treatment options.
Corrections officers — not trained to deal with those suffering with mental illness —in jails are left to manage inmates, many who have turned to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate. And while family and friends long bear the burden of living with mentally unstable loved ones, Gentry said traumatic calls can take a toll on authorities.
“You’re putting law enforcement officers in situations to do things they don’t really want to do,” he said.
“Some of the police chiefs and sheriff’s are talking about going to the Legislature and showing them what is happening,” Culpepper said. “It becomes an issue of safety for the individual who needs treatment, as well as their family members, the community and law enforcement officers.”
Gentry said he and others are pushing for legislation will provide funding for mental health providers.
Culpepper also praised local mental health professionals and Cullman Regional for the efforts that are made to assist people.
“They are professionals and do everything they can. There is just no money or facilities for longterm treatment. You may have someone sitting in the emergency room waiting for a bed at a longterm facility. That can take a long time and puts a strain on the hospital staff and others because the state is not providing enough,” Culpepper said.
David Palmer may be contacted at 256-734-2131, ext. 116
Tiffeny Owens may be contacted at 256-734-2131, ext. 135
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