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'Treatment, not incarceration' is mantra of South Bend town hall with elected officials

South Bend Tribune - 3/25/2019

March 25-- Mar. 25--SOUTH BEND -- Lilly Reyna told a crowd at Sinai Synagogue on Sunday that she worries about what police might do if they encounter her son, a Navy veteran who suffers from PTSD, during a psychotic episode.

She referred to an officer-involved shooting last year in which a Latino man with mental health issues was shot dead after he confronted police with knives.

"It might have been avoided if trained mental health workers had been on the scene," said Reyna, who was among several speakers at the town hall event organized by the St. Joseph County Chapter of Faith in Indiana.

"Treatment, not incarceration" was the mantra of the gathering.

Leaders of the faith group called on elected officials to commit to implementing jail diversion strategies for people suffering from mental illnesses and drug addiction.

Among other things, strategies call for launching a pre-arrest diversion program that would pair police officers with medical professionals to identify those suffering from mental illness or addiction so they can be referred to treatment, along with a Peacemaker Fellowship mentorship program aimed at getting those who face the highest risk of gun violence out of street life.

Jeff Walker, a member of the faith group, highlighted how the group did a lot of research last year on strategies for reducing incarceration and gun violence.

The group met with dozens of local and national experts, he said, and heard from "hundreds of people in our congregations and neighborhoods."

He said the group "heard story after story of family members who struggle with substance abuse, people who face mental health challenges, a loved one who has been in jail or prison. And too many of us know someone impacted by gun violence."

Walker cited statistics that show the county jail's current inmate population of 620 is up by more than 100 from 2015.

He said that while some believe jailing people will make streets safer, "too often jail feeds a cycle of missed opportunity, bitterness and violence. ... The truth is, our jail is the de facto detox center in St. Joe County. And our jail is the mental health facility in St. Joe County for many of our family members and neighbors."

Walker concluded that if "proven strategies" are implemented, "we can reach our big goal: Cut incarceration and reduce gun violence by at least 30 percent in the next three years."

On the church stage were County Sheriff Bill Redman, County Commissioner President Andy Kostielney and South Bend Common Council President Tim Scott.

Redman was asked by the group if he is willing to to help come up with a plan to cut incarceration by 30 percent in the next three years and develop a funding stream for jail diversion strategies.

The crowd erupted in applause when Redman answered, "Yes, I will."

Redman said he will fight for programs aimed at treating mental illnesses and substance abuse.

"The jail is not the solution," he said. "And I am committed to do whatever I can physically, and financially within my budget, to assist those who need help in our community."

Kostielney and Scott also made commitments to back the group's efforts. Numerous candidates for city mayor and Common Council seats, meanwhile, signed a pledge to support the group's "families first" agenda.

tbooker@sbtinfo.com 574-235-6070 @Tbooker24

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