Nov. 7 - Nov 20, 2015 www.SanTanSun.com
CPD teaches others how to deal with the mentally ill BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
The Chandler Police Department recently held a training session for East Valley officers on how to handle cases involving the mentally ill. “It’s an enormous task to put these schools together,” said Sgt. Greg Howarth, community resources supervisor and the program supervisor. “The commitment from people like Community Bridges to come in to speak—same with NAMI—was remarkable. To coordinate it all is very difficult.” NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The class was for Chandler, Scottsdale, Mesa and Gilbert public safety personnel’s crisis intervention teams (CIT). It was based on the “Memphis Model,” an innovative policebased first-responder program that has become nationally known that outlines prearrest jail diversion for those in a mental illness crisis. This program
The Chandler Police Department, including Sgt. Greg Howarth, recently held training on handling calls about the mentally ill. The training was meant to teach emergency personnel about mental health conditions and medications, and to introduce police to mental health resources in the Valley. STSN photo by Tim Sealy
Chandler’s one-stop community facility aids neighbors in need BY JULIA DE SIMONE
When the Fletcher family of Chandler decided to start their own business, their financial status changed drastically. But instead of despairing, they received support from a one-stop community facility—the Chandler Care Center. “The care center has helped our family by proving enrichment activities for the children and supplemental uses to... fill in the gaps for our family,” Jennifer Fletcher said. “Everyone there is kind, upbeat and treats you with respect. We get to know people from all different backgrounds and no one is concerned with why you’re there.” The school-based center was established by the Chandler Unified School District (CUSD) in 1995. It provides Chandler families in need access to medical, dental, counseling, social services, food banks as well as other special
programs. Most services are free with proof of identification and residence in Chandler. The food bank alone serves an average of 2,300 individuals monthly. Katie Kahle, center director, said the program is a testament to CUSD school officials’ foresight and continuous encouragement. “I have to say we are very fortunate of being a part of the school district. It’s really a credit to our superintendent and governing board. They are highly supportive of what we do, which is the backbone of why we do it,” she said. “It’s nice to know that even if I don’t need the resources, a child sitting next to my child has the resources to be successful.” Such assistance includes free dental and medical care for children through the center’s on-site clinics. Services range from well-child check-ups to dental health
provides law enforcement-based crisis intervention training for helping those individuals with mental illness. The training was meant to teach emergency personnel about mental health conditions and medications, and to introduce police to mental health resources in the Valley. “It’s comprehensive,” he said. “It includes alcohol-drug assessments, NAMI came in to discuss diagnosed conditions and their own stories,” Howarth said. “The officers get to listen to this and ask questions.” On the last day, the mental health officials participated in role playing. “The role players are the counselors who go out in the field,” Howarth said. “They’re mental health counselors. They’re really good at role playing. I don’t want the officers [participating]. The model isn’t set up for officers to role play. They don’t deal with this day and day out. “We do have a high number of mental health calls. About 10 percent up to 20 percent a day are mental health types of calls. Some of those are committals, some not.” While traditional training teaches police to control situations by demanding compliance, and the unpredictable nature of a person with a psychiatric disability can be misinterpreted as a threat and quickly escalate to violence, according to CNN. see CPD page 4
Photo radar cameras changing intersections next year BY KERRY FEHR-SNYDER
Photo radar cameras are moving to five new Chandler intersections next year as part of a $2.5 million contract with a private company. City traffic engineers chose the new intersections based on the number, severity and increase of accidents over the past several years. Chandler began using photo radar cameras to nab speeders and red light runners in February 2007. The new intersections as of April 1 are: • Alma School Road and Chandler Boulevard • Kyrene Road and Chandler Boulevard • Dobson and Ray roads • Dobson and Chandler Boulevard • McQueen and Ray roads Photo radar cameras also will continue at: • Alma School and Warner roads
• Alma School and Ray roads • Alma School and Queen Creek roads • Arizona Avenue and Warner Road • Arizona Avenue and Ray Road • Gilbert and Riggs roads • Ray and Rural roads Two City Council members voted against the photo radar program in late September. Councilwoman Nora Ellen called the cameras a “punitive tool” and said the City should not use cameras on its residents. “It’s an invasion of privacy,” she said. “We should be using signs to alert our residents of their speed and not blinding them with flashing camera lights.” Councilman Terry Roe, a former Mesa police officer, also was opposed because of the program’s cost and effectiveness in see CAMERAS page 9
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