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Reducing criminalization of mentally ill

The Cuero Record - 3/1/2017

People with mental health issues should not be treated as criminals for disturbing the peace violations.

Law enforcement throughout the area is attempting to partner with mental health professionals in an effort to reduce criminalization of the mentally ill.

That effort was presented to De-Witt County Commissioners Court Monday during their meeting.

Victoria County Chief Deputy Roy Boyd explained the idea at court calling it the Gulf Bend Community Collaborative. The plan is to pair law enforcement officers with mental health professionals to divert people with mental health issues away from jail.

He said this team effort would work to monitor mental health patients before they become a law enforcement problem.

Boyd said he is taking the plan to each county in the area in hopes of unifyng an effort to present it to the Legislature for funding. He said his goal is have the plan funded by the state and not local law enforcement.

Commissioners Court approved a resolution supporting the plan. Boyd said he will take the resolutions to Rep. Geanie Morrison and Sen. Lois Kolkhorst.

DeWitt County Historical Commission President Peggy Ledbetter gave that group's annual report at Monday's meeting.

She said the members donated over 6,200 hours to local historical projects in 2016. Some of the projects involve DeWitt County Historical Museum, archive and storage center, educational events, and restoration.

The members are planning a special event in April to recognize the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

The court also heard a report on the predator control project underway. It was noted since the beginning of January 92 coyotes have been killed.

In other business it was reported a low water bridge on Wolf Hollow Road in Precinct 4 will be closed from March 13 to April 14 for repairs. It is located north of Fordtran Road and south Bialeck Road.