Beaumont police said they are seeing a spike in calls regarding people with mental illness. When people are in trouble, they have to make quick decisions.
BEAUMONT, Texas — A $70 million overhaul of Baptist Hospital's Behavioral Health Center could benefit law enforcement and patients in need of emergency care.
Beaumont police said they are seeing a spike in calls regarding people with mental illness. When people are in trouble, they have to make quick decisions.
So what happens when a police officer with borderline personality disorder comes in for a mental health consultation?
In many cases, you won't know the situation until you arrive. What happens from there is case by case.
“We get calls from families who are at a loss because they have a loved one who is struggling with a mental health crisis,” said BPD PIO Haley Morrow. “We have a number of mental health peace officers. Of course, he has one position dedicated to mental health officers who work with Spindletop MHMR.”
Morrow says that during training and rituals, staff members decide where to take people who need help.
“Baptist and St. E. rotate every other week who has to issue a Peace Officer Emergency Detention Order. But there are very specific criteria that must be met.” she says.
If a person commits a crime, that person may end up going to the hospital first.
“The law still has to be enforced,” Morrow said.
A $70 million overhaul will help more people get the care they need right here in Southeast Texas.
Jefferson County is considering spending $8 million on a new diversion center to help people with mental illness.
“We can get them there and divert them from the criminal justice system,” said Jefferson County Sheriff Zena Stevens.
Beaumont resident Michael Ford supports the diversion center. He ended up in jail for allegedly assaulting a BPD officer during a health crisis last year.
“They weren't sure if I was going to harm myself,” he said. “If they had directed me there instead of 69 prison, I think that's where the whole thing would have been crushed.”
12News spoke with Jefferson County officials for the latest information on the diversion center. They say they plan to meet Monday to discuss building plans for the center.
