Mostly because they don’t know who else to call.

Not long ago I saw a very ragged man stumbling around and he just curled up and went to sleep in the middle of a busy road. What to do? I can stand and block traffic. But, he’s not listening to anyone and I’m not going to grab and drag someone who is that far gone.

Thankfully, before I called the police another (very likely homeless) person was braver than me. He did grab the passed-out dude, got him to his feet and over to the sidewalk to lay back down.

I’m not happy with any aspect of that event -especially not myself. But, I only had two options: get myself into a potential wrestling match with someone who was very much out of their mind, or ask a cop to do it instead.

I mean this seems like what cops are for. Sending in cou sellors and a paramedic is just putting them in danger.

Homeless should not be above the law and if they a disturbing the peace they need to face consequences so they don't do it again or help them along on thr path to realizing this.

People call the police without altercation all the time, with good intention, from someone sleeping on the street, using in public, having a mental episode in view of others. It's not even a I'm in danger thing a lot of the time, but a I do not know who else to call so I'll press 911 situation. I hope this works out for that city

If an old lady falls down then you call 911 and get an ambulance to come. There's no risk of violence.

But with mental illness there is the risk of violence and that is the police's role.

I can't see this working out and it's not fair to send in people not able to deal with a situation if it turns violent. You are sending in unarmed people to ENGAGE with someone potentially violent. If something goes wrong, sure they can call the police, but if you have people already engaging with the person it increases the risk for them.

I called the police on someone who was stumbling around on the sidewalk next to a calm but normally fast street. I was worried for her safety, that she was going to stumble into traffic, so I called the cops because I had no idea what else to do. In a way, I guess I assumed/hoped that they would be smart enough to dispatch a health worker after hearing what I told them.

Why didn’t I try to help the woman? Simple. I’m black. She was a drunk middle aged white woman. It would not have gone well for me.

This situation feels like it would probabaly require force to restrain the person from hurting themselves. Everyone has encountered beligerant drunk people who are putting themselves at risk but not listening to anyone.

Is a health worker allowed to grab someone who is about to walk into oncoming traffic. Should they have as part of there job description to have to physically restrain people without self protection or training in self defense.

It just feels unfair to put health workers in potentially violent situations without police backup.

We need police trained as health workers or health workers trained as police. Maybe they wear different clothes. But they need to have the same self defense training.

Because you don't know what to expect from people with certain mental issues. If I see someone pacing outside my office while screaming to the devil and hitting his head, I will try to avoid him. Sure, maybe he will continue to have a mental breakdown without getting me involved, but I don't know. Now, I don't mind calling some authority other than the police, but I would prefer that if the person with the mental breakdown gets violent it will be directed at a professional who knows how to respond

Well, people may not be calling "the police" per se; they call 911. And then 911 sends the police, because who else are they going to send?

Send an ambulance. But if there is potential danger to public, send the police.

Maybe police should travel with counselors.

People call the police for, for example, suicidal people all the time. And no, it doesn't always end well, hence the change.

If someone has a gun and is suicidal there is the chance that they could injure others.

I have seen a lot of suicide by police though which is always very tragic and heart breaking, so you definitely have a point.

But then with every new encounter there is the chance that they actually start shooting.

Also if someone is suicidal they are not too concerned about consequences such as jail because they alrwsdy don't plan to be around to have to face it. So as sad as it is, there is always a high risk of danger to others.

Because you find that person annoying. That’s what the police is for. Or maybe not, but it certainly works in many cases.