Pacific Clinics, Police Discuss Serving Mentally Ill
The San Gabriel Valley edition focused on the tragic death of an allegedly mentally ill man in Pasadena after an altercation with the police (Times, Sept. 29). For the last 20 years in California, and nationally, the mentally ill have been forced to go without access to appropriate treatment because of the failure of the federal and state government to provide financial support for programs.
The San Gabriel Valley is one of the two most under-served areas in Los Angeles County in per capita mental health resources. In recognition of the fact that many mentally ill persons are on the street or in police custody because of a lack of services, Pacific Clinics began a dialogue with local law enforcement and has established a working group to address the problem.
The group has been meeting for nine months and is chaired by Chief (Joseph) Santoro of the Monrovia Police Department and a member of the Pacific Clinics board. It includes representatives of local police departments from Azusa, South Pasadena, Alhambra, Whittier, Monterey Park, Pasadena, Sierra Madre, Pomona, Glendora and El Monte and appropriate sheriff’s representatives.
We are collaborating to assure that people receive the best response from both systems (that is) possible within our resources.
SUSAN MANDEL
President, Pacific Clinics, Pasadena
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