(Snippets from the frontline)
COVID-19/BLM: Perfecting programs that already exist
On one of my early morning runs as the community began to stir, I saw a law enforcement neighbor leaving for work, followed closely by family. Their four year old daughter clung to the uniformed pant leg crying “please don’t go to work” several times.
After reassurance, but still crying waving good-bye, the little girl exhausted said “come home soon, I don’t want you to die.”
Changes need to be made, and long ago many in law enforcement realized their role attempting to care for mental health problems, homelessness, and other social ills should not be placed in their realm. Los Angeles County has been aware of this also.
For several years, I have been involved in a program at College of the Canyons collaborating with the LA County Sheriff’s to remedy this problem. The Sheriff’s set up a task force educating officers to recognize social issues, and instead of law enforcement, a Mental Evaluation Team (MET) of social workers and counselors are utilized. (A “RAMP” team was developed beyond the MET team, but apparently teeters on funding.)
Programs already exist, but now let’s fund and perfect them, to protect citizens and law enforcement, including little girls.
Gene Uzawa Dorio, M.D.
Leave a Comment