San Angelo's Mental Health and Crisis Prevention Units Get a Boost

Domestic violence is the number one call to service for the Police Department in San Angelo. That means that for every story on meth users and police chases, thefts, hit-and-runs and drunk drivers, there are that many more instances of trouble within citizens’ own four walls.

Up until approximately seven years ago, cases were all handled pretty much identically: law enforcement arrived on the scene, assessed the situation, and transported the offender to jail. Should the subject be having a mental health episode, the pattern was the same, thus leaving numerous subjects and their legitimate mental health issues unevaluated, or requiring an extra step of transport and surveillance in a facility where staff could assess an individual’s issues and needs.

Several years ago, the state government stepped in and addressed these issues with legislation. Mental health patients now have to be evaluated, and offered assistance as needed.

In order to better function as law enforcement units, the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office (TGCSO) and the San Angelo Police Department came together to work out a collaboration with a 50-50 cost split to create the county’s first Tom Green County Mental Health and Crisis Intervention Units.

“Ours [program] is a jail diversion program,” says Police Chief Tim Vasquez. “The Mental Health Unit gets dispatched, they take over the situation, take them to the hospital or whatever they need to do to get them evaluated. If they’re going to be committed somewhere, then the Mental Health Unit by law has to transport them there,” he says.

When police respond to a domestic violence call, they offer these services to the victims and the offenders, in order to best assess the situation. Should the offender state that he has mental health issues, the MHU is called in to take over the handling of that person. Vasquez says this frees up officers of the police and sheriff’s departments to do their jobs, rather than having officers sit in hospitals for hours on end as was previously the case.

The Crisis Intervention Unit comes in on behalf of the victims. “They offer counseling for the victims, they place them in certain locations,” Vasquez says. “They help them with emergency protective orders, help them fill out the paperwork. They’re actually crime victim advocates.”

The Crisis Intervention and Mental Health Units have proven to be very effective, Vasquez says. “I don’t know of any other agencies that use one like we do.”

On Tuesday, Vasquez and a handful of other officers from the SAPD and the TGCSO presented a budget increase request to City Council for the SAPD’s portion of unit expenses.  The department’s portion is currently approximately $115,000, however only $77,000 has been budgeted, so the Police Department is seeking an increase of $37,000 to make up the difference.

The SAPD and City Manager Daniel Valenzuela had met the previous week to discuss a possible budget increase, and the city Budget Office has been looking for options as far as funding goes.

Contingencies were found within the general fund to put toward the bill, and the Budget Office is proposing an internal budget amendment.

Following little questioning, a motion was made to approve the budget increase. The motion passed unanimously.

Of the service rendered by the two units, San Angelo receives approximately 85 percent. A large portion of the services are funded by grants and other organizations, namely MHMR, which covers a third of the program.

“I would say that our Mental Health Unit is an example to the rest of the state, and we’ve got some great people going. Crisis intervention as well, is something that we use very often,” said Vasquez.

“I think this has been a very good partnership for the city,” Mayor Morrison agreed. 

Statistically, domestic violence increases during the holiday season. If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, contact the police. 

Victims may also contact the Concho Valley Rape Crisis Center's 24-hour Hotline to speak to a counselor at 325-658-8888. They also have a toll-free hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673).

The Newbridge Family Shelter also offers services to victims of domestic violance. Newbridge is an emergency shelter offering individuals and families support for up to 30 days, including food, clothing and utilities, free of charge. Extensions may be made for up to 90 days. The shelter also offers support in finding childcare and job searches, as well as counseling and classes on domestic violence. Some of these services are available to non-residents. For more information, visit the web site at http://www.icdbridges.org/articles/view/newbridge-family-shelter or call the 24-hour hotline: 325-655-5774. The toll-free hotline number is: 1-800-749-8631.