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California Today: Mental Health Team Will Aid San Francisco Police California Today: San Francisco Fields a Mental-Health SWAT Team
(about 7 hours later)
Good morning.Good morning.
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When the police confront someone in a crisis, an officer’s choice of words can make the difference between a peaceful resolution and a turn to violence.When the police confront someone in a crisis, an officer’s choice of words can make the difference between a peaceful resolution and a turn to violence.
With that in mind, San Francisco is embracing a new strategy: Let a professional do the talking.With that in mind, San Francisco is embracing a new strategy: Let a professional do the talking.
The city announced last week that it was forming a new five-member mental health team that would join police officers on calls involving people who they suspect may be mentally ill or under the influence of drugs.The city announced last week that it was forming a new five-member mental health team that would join police officers on calls involving people who they suspect may be mentally ill or under the influence of drugs.
“This is the latest reform that prioritizes the sanctity of life above all else,” Mayor Ed Lee said in a statement.“This is the latest reform that prioritizes the sanctity of life above all else,” Mayor Ed Lee said in a statement.
Officials said the idea was to let highly trained clinicians try to pacify troubled individuals, and hopefully avoid the sorts of deadly police confrontations that have recently set off protests around the country.Officials said the idea was to let highly trained clinicians try to pacify troubled individuals, and hopefully avoid the sorts of deadly police confrontations that have recently set off protests around the country.
During any encounter, law enforcement officers would take the lead in determining when it is safe for their mental health colleagues, who will be unarmed, to approach a subject.During any encounter, law enforcement officers would take the lead in determining when it is safe for their mental health colleagues, who will be unarmed, to approach a subject.
Barbara Garcia, the director of the Department of Public Health, said the collaboration of agencies would allow mental health professionals to spot opportunities for interventions that the police might otherwise miss.Barbara Garcia, the director of the Department of Public Health, said the collaboration of agencies would allow mental health professionals to spot opportunities for interventions that the police might otherwise miss.
For example, she said, a recent call involved a person who was armed and under the influence of drugs. Unknown to the police officers who were called to deal with the situation, the person was also a patient in the city’s public health system.For example, she said, a recent call involved a person who was armed and under the influence of drugs. Unknown to the police officers who were called to deal with the situation, the person was also a patient in the city’s public health system.
“We could have at that point had one of the providers who knew this person help with the consultation with the police,” Ms. Garcia said.“We could have at that point had one of the providers who knew this person help with the consultation with the police,” Ms. Garcia said.
In Los Angeles County, law enforcement agencies have for years paired clinicians with police officers. Mark Gale, the criminal justice chairman for the Los Angeles County Council of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, said the programs had saved lives.In Los Angeles County, law enforcement agencies have for years paired clinicians with police officers. Mark Gale, the criminal justice chairman for the Los Angeles County Council of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, said the programs had saved lives.
No matter how much a police officer is trained, he said, only a clinician has the depth of education and experience to talk to people in crisis the right way.No matter how much a police officer is trained, he said, only a clinician has the depth of education and experience to talk to people in crisis the right way.
“So, that’s what you want,” Mr. Gale added. “You want somebody that can defuse the situation so nobody gets hurt.”“So, that’s what you want,” Mr. Gale added. “You want somebody that can defuse the situation so nobody gets hurt.”
See reporting in The New York Times on the Nov. 8 ballot initiatives: Proposition 51 (a new school bond) | Proposition 56 (cigarette tax) | Proposition 60 (condoms in adult films) | Propositions 62 and 66 (death penalty questions) | Propositions 65 and 67 (on banning plastic bags).See reporting in The New York Times on the Nov. 8 ballot initiatives: Proposition 51 (a new school bond) | Proposition 56 (cigarette tax) | Proposition 60 (condoms in adult films) | Propositions 62 and 66 (death penalty questions) | Propositions 65 and 67 (on banning plastic bags).
And dig into analyses of all 17 statewide measures by the Legislative Analyst’s Office, CALmatters, KQED and Ballotpedia.And dig into analyses of all 17 statewide measures by the Legislative Analyst’s Office, CALmatters, KQED and Ballotpedia.
• “I’d like to see somebody go to jail for this”: The tiny town of Loyalton has been thrust into America’s public pension drama. [The New York Times]• “I’d like to see somebody go to jail for this”: The tiny town of Loyalton has been thrust into America’s public pension drama. [The New York Times]
• Tesla is seeking permission to double the size of its car factory in Fremont. [Wall Street Journal]• Tesla is seeking permission to double the size of its car factory in Fremont. [Wall Street Journal]
• “A nightmare”: The police in Palm Springs mourned two officers who were killed while responding to a domestic disturbance call on Saturday. A suspect was taken into custody. [The New York Times]• “A nightmare”: The police in Palm Springs mourned two officers who were killed while responding to a domestic disturbance call on Saturday. A suspect was taken into custody. [The New York Times]
• Dale B. Schenk, a scientist whose discoveries opened new paths into research on Alzheimer’s disease, died at his home in Hillsborough. He was 59. [The New York Times]• Dale B. Schenk, a scientist whose discoveries opened new paths into research on Alzheimer’s disease, died at his home in Hillsborough. He was 59. [The New York Times]
• While many other states have tightened voter access in recent years, California has moved in the opposite direction. [Sacramento Bee]• While many other states have tightened voter access in recent years, California has moved in the opposite direction. [Sacramento Bee]
• Marijuana legalization is not without its problems, but it’s mostly been no big deal, writes Timothy Egan. [Opinion | The New York Times]• Marijuana legalization is not without its problems, but it’s mostly been no big deal, writes Timothy Egan. [Opinion | The New York Times]
• How does Melissa Etheridge, the California rock star, begin an evening? She puts in her hearing aids. [The New York Times]• How does Melissa Etheridge, the California rock star, begin an evening? She puts in her hearing aids. [The New York Times]
• The mystery founder of @overheardLA, which pokes fun at the city’s pretensions, has revealed himself. [The New York Times]• The mystery founder of @overheardLA, which pokes fun at the city’s pretensions, has revealed himself. [The New York Times]
Need an escape?Need an escape?
Download the New York Times virtual-reality app and allow yourself to be transported to some of California’s most spectacular vistas.Download the New York Times virtual-reality app and allow yourself to be transported to some of California’s most spectacular vistas.
• On Tuesday, the Supreme Court will consider a clash between two tech giants, hearing arguments on whether Samsung must pay Apple $400 million for copying part of the design of the iPhone.• On Tuesday, the Supreme Court will consider a clash between two tech giants, hearing arguments on whether Samsung must pay Apple $400 million for copying part of the design of the iPhone.
• After a yearlong absence due to injury, Tiger Woods will make his return to golf at the P.G.A. Tour’s Safeway Open in Napa on Thursday.• After a yearlong absence due to injury, Tiger Woods will make his return to golf at the P.G.A. Tour’s Safeway Open in Napa on Thursday.
• Also Thursday, Hillary Clinton plans fund-raisers in San Francisco and Los Angeles. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Southern California event will feature Elton John.• Also Thursday, Hillary Clinton plans fund-raisers in San Francisco and Los Angeles. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Southern California event will feature Elton John.
• The two-day Art & Pumpkin Festival begins on Saturday in Half Moon Bay, a town that calls itself the “World Pumpkin Capital.”• The two-day Art & Pumpkin Festival begins on Saturday in Half Moon Bay, a town that calls itself the “World Pumpkin Capital.”
• On Saturday, leading names in Latin music will give a free concert on San Diego’s border with Mexico. Called Rise Up as One, the event aims to promote diversity and unity.• On Saturday, leading names in Latin music will give a free concert on San Diego’s border with Mexico. Called Rise Up as One, the event aims to promote diversity and unity.
Some people have been jokingly referring to the Desert Trip festival that kicked off Friday as Oldchella — a play on the location in Coachella Valley and the aging acts on the lineup, among them Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Neil Young and Paul McCartney.Some people have been jokingly referring to the Desert Trip festival that kicked off Friday as Oldchella — a play on the location in Coachella Valley and the aging acts on the lineup, among them Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Neil Young and Paul McCartney.
The Stones singer, 73-year-old Mick Jagger, welcomed fans to “the Palm Springs retirement home for genteel English musicians.”The Stones singer, 73-year-old Mick Jagger, welcomed fans to “the Palm Springs retirement home for genteel English musicians.”
And the Who guitarist Pete Townshend, 71, asked the crowd, “You all come to watch old people dance?” according to The Associated Press.And the Who guitarist Pete Townshend, 71, asked the crowd, “You all come to watch old people dance?” according to The Associated Press.
But make no mistake, the old guys can still rock. (The three-day bill repeats this weekend.)But make no mistake, the old guys can still rock. (The three-day bill repeats this weekend.)
In a review of the opening night, Jon Pareles, our chief pop critic, said Bob Dylan, 75, and the Rolling Stones demonstrated why they are far more than just nostalgia acts.In a review of the opening night, Jon Pareles, our chief pop critic, said Bob Dylan, 75, and the Rolling Stones demonstrated why they are far more than just nostalgia acts.
“Mr. Dylan, who was never exactly a softhearted songwriter, now openly confronts both his crumbling voice and a treacherous world,” he wrote, “while the Rolling Stones continue, stubbornly and miraculously, to romp across stages.”“Mr. Dylan, who was never exactly a softhearted songwriter, now openly confronts both his crumbling voice and a treacherous world,” he wrote, “while the Rolling Stones continue, stubbornly and miraculously, to romp across stages.”
And it wasn’t just swaying retirees in the crowd.And it wasn’t just swaying retirees in the crowd.
Christian Parong, 22, of San Luis Obispo, met up with a buddy from high school at the festival.Christian Parong, 22, of San Luis Obispo, met up with a buddy from high school at the festival.
“These bands are walking, living legends,” he told The Times’s Joe Coscarelli. “Age doesn’t matter. The way I see it, we’re all just here to enjoy the music.”“These bands are walking, living legends,” he told The Times’s Joe Coscarelli. “Age doesn’t matter. The way I see it, we’re all just here to enjoy the music.”
California Today goes live at 6 a.m. Pacific time weekdays. Tell us what you want to see: CAtoday@nytimes.com.California Today goes live at 6 a.m. Pacific time weekdays. Tell us what you want to see: CAtoday@nytimes.com.
The California Today columnist, Mike McPhate, is a third-generation Californian — born outside Sacramento and raised in San Juan Capistrano. He lives in Davis. Follow him on Twitter.The California Today columnist, Mike McPhate, is a third-generation Californian — born outside Sacramento and raised in San Juan Capistrano. He lives in Davis. Follow him on Twitter.
California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and attended U.C. Berkeley.California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and attended U.C. Berkeley.