Rev. Dana Bainbridge recently shared a distressing experience involving Winston, a cherished community member who suffers from mental health issues, highlighting the city's need for alternative crisis responses. Upon seeking help for Winston, the church faced an overwhelming police presence instead of the necessary support from mental health professionals. This incident reflects broader concerns in San Jose, where investigations revealed that a significant proportion of police force incidents involve individuals with mental health challenges. As a result, there is increasing advocacy for expanding non-police emergency response options to better address these specialized needs.
"What we got was a daunting number of police cars, nine uniforms standing over Winston, cuffing him," Bainbridge said.
"You could do more damage if you use the wrong tool," emphasized Bainbridge, highlighting the need for non-police responses in mental health crises.
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