2011-101-Minutes for Meeting November 01,2010 Recorded 4/4/2011DESCHUTES
COUNTY CLERKOS 4J 7011.141
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DESCHUTES COUNTY
PUBLIC SAFETY COORDINATING COUNCIL
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MINUTES OF MEETING
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2010
Allen Room, County Administration Building, 1300 NW Wall, Bend, OR
Present were Judge Michael Sullivan; Alan Unger and Tammy Baney,
Commissioners; Dave Kanner, County Administrator; Ken Hales, Corrections;
Sheriff Larry Blanton; Carl Rhodes and Paul Collingsworth, Oregon State Police;
Jacques DeKalb, defense attorney; Jack Blum, citizen member; Redmond Police
Chief Ron Roberts; Capt. Tim Edwards Darling; Scott Johnson, Health Services;
Donna McClung, Oregon Youth Authority; Shelley Smith, KIDS Center; Capt.
Cory Darling, Bend Police Department; and Roger Olson, NAMI.
Also present were Capt. Ruth Jenkin, Jail Operations; Deputy Tory Flory, Sheriffs
Office; Lt. Al La Chance, Redmond Police Department; Owyhee Weike Magden,
criminal defense attorney; Kara Cronin and Terry Schroeder, Behavioral Health;
Eileen Hunter, Parole & Probation; and Molly Wells, St. Charles Health Care,
Bend. No representatives of the media were in attendance.
1. Call to Order & Introductions
Judge Sullivan called the meeting to order; and the attendees introduced
themselves.
2. October Minutes
One change was offered by Shelly Smith. Jack Blum moved approval; Scott
Johnson seconded; and the minutes were approved with that change.
Minutes of LPSCC Meeting Monday, November 1, 2010
Page 1 of 5 Pages
3. Public Comment
None were offered.
4. Crisis Intervention Task Force
Deputy Tory Flory of the Sheriff's Office provided an overview of the work
of the Crisis Intervention Task Force. The group was asked to investigate
ways to handle mental health crisis situations, which occur often on a daily
basis. They visited San Antonio, Texas, where there are several prevention
team models in place. They identified one that they feel is superior to the
others.
He played a video "story" providing an overview of the program. The focus
of the CIT, which was developed in Akron, Ohio some years ago, is to de-
escalate problems. Training is provided to all relevant contacts, from 911
dispatchers to the officers, and the public is made aware that this kind of help
is available so they don't wait to call until the problem has gotten out of hand.
Deputy Flory explained how the CIT works, involving first responders who
often end up in these challenging situations. The goal is to improve officer
and public safety, and to redirect those individuals with mental illness issues
from the justice system to the health care system.
About 26.2% of citizens over age 18 have a diagnosable mental illness in a
given year. Approximately 24% of incarcerated individuals have at least one
mental illness. Many have a co-existing substance abuse issue. The rate of
mental illness in prisons and jails is three times the rate of the general
population. Half of the inmates with a mental illness are incarcerated for
committing a non-violent crime. The average time of incarceration is four to
six times for those who suffer from a mental illness, with the accompanying
high cost to society.
Deschutes County responded to 154 calls of this nature in 2010, with five
suicide deaths. Bend Police Department got 176 calls, with five suicides.
Redmond Police Department received 116 calls, with four suicides.
Behavioral Health received 1,840 contacts, with many coming from the jail or
officers. So it is obvious that the need is there.
Minutes of LPSCC Meeting Monday, November 1, 2010
Page 2 of 5 Pages
CIT benefits are an immediate crisis response so the appropriate treatment can
be addressed. Use of force and arrests decrease. Underserved consumers can
be identified so they can get adequate help. Problems in the hospital
emergency rooms decrease, as do conflicts and officer injuries, and a rapport
can be developed with the community. Liability in the jail decreases, and
there is a cost savings to the inmates as well as the community.
Dave Kanner asked about the police contacts and how many of those actually
resulted in someone going to jail. Sheriff Blanton feels the numbers are
significantly higher because the calls coming in seldom indicate at the time
that there is a mental health problem involved. Sometimes it is not known
until after the contact is made, or sometimes during the booking process or
even during the stay in jail.
When someone is in crisis at a scene, the officer has discretion to take the
person into a medical facility for evaluation. There are some instances if
violence is involved where the person is going to be taken to jail. At that time
it could be decided that they require a medical evaluation. Capt. Cory Darling
of the Bend Police Department said that with proper training, it could
eliminate a trip to the jail and help people get the attention they need more
quickly.
Mr. Kanner asked if the 911 dispatchers would also be trained. He was
advised that this is part of the program; Scott Johnson noted that the training
time is comprehensive, and it may be that training can only be provided to
enough people to cover the various shifts. Deputy Flory said that some of it is
awareness training that is somewhat effective. The CIT model is a small
group in the patrol staff that would be the ones who provide help and guidance
to others. Another model is working with behavioral health on a specific
program. The agencies found the most effective model was to support the
CIT approach.
Mr. Johnson asked if anyone did the math to know how many individuals they
would need to train in each agency. Deputy Flory stated that 20-25% would
be the ideal option. Lt. Al La Chance of Redmond Police Department said
that those on the task force are very supportive of doing something in this
regard.
Minutes of LPSCC Meeting Monday, November 1, 2010
Page 3 of 5 Pages
Jack Blum asked if anything is being done statewide. Deputy Flory replied
that the crisis intervention team and several agencies in Oregon are looking at
this model as well. The training is typically developed with the cooperation
and support of the community.
Sheriff Blanton stated that there has to be a philosophical shift in regard to
command staffing for any group. This is starting to become an issue. When
someone has to go to jail for a minor offense, it begins a vicious cycle. There
needs to be a place other than jail for people to be taken as appropriate.
Ultimately, with the economies of scale, things will work out.
Sheriff Blanton said that some are `frequent flyers' who are contacted on a
regular basis and often end up in the emergency room.
One of the eye-opening things is the witness factor and how the officers can
work through all the different aspects.
It was pointed out that this is an investment up front, but does save the
community money over time. All of the systems in place have to flex and
adapt. Sheriff Blanton said that cost charged to the person who is contacted
cannot be factored in because there are going to be those who are indigent or
just don't have the money. The State keeps cutting back funding, however.
Everyone will have to be trained so there is coordination between agencies,
medical facilities and others. Roger Olson said that his sons have had
encounters with the police, none serious but based on mental health issues,
and this type of program might have been helpful to address their mental
health situation at the time.
Judge Sullivan said that everyone needs to re-sensitize over time to remain
aware and so that improvements can be made. He is amazed at how much
proper training can help. Jail holding can cost thousands of dollars. One track
is when the police get there, if there is a crime involved, an arrest can be made
or a citation written. There is another way to handle some of these, through a
mental health referral. It is a very costly venture when the wrong track is
chosen. The cost for the mental health inmate is much higher than that of
others so if alternatives are available, that is the way to go.
Deputy Flory said that the group is still refining the `wish list' and developing
a training list and other information.
Minutes of LPSCC Meeting Monday, November 1, 2010
Page 4 of 5 Pages
Judge Sullivan said there will be a new player on board soon, the District
Attorney-elect, who will have to be brought up to speed. The group would
like this brought before LPSCC in February. Sheriff Blanton suggested that
they not spend time on developing data on a problem that everyone knows
exists already. A draft of potential plans on how to handle this situation
would be presented February.
Commissioner Baney suggested that they work out how the crisis intervention
team would fit into the equation, especially for the Budget Committee next
year.
5. Other Business
None was offered.
Being no further discussion or items presented, the meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bonnie Baker
Recording Secretary
Attachments
Exhibit A: Agenda
Exhibit B: Sign in sheets
Minutes of LPSCC Meeting Monday, November 1, 2010
Page 5 of 5 Pages
DESCHUTES COUNTY
PUBLIC SAFETY COORDINATING COUNCIL
C '1 e,w't{
November 1, 2010 - 3:30 p.m.
Allen Room, County Administration Building, 1300 NW Wall, Bend, OR
Agenda
I Call to Order & Introductions
Judge Sullivan
II October Minutes
Judge Sullivan
Action: Approve February minutes
III Public Comment
Judge Sullivan
IV Crisis Intervention Task Force
Deputy Tory Flory, Lt. Al La Chance and Capt. Cory Darling
Brief Council on CIT future plans
V Other Business
Judge Sullivan
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