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Abingdon police say mental health calls strain resources

Bristol Herald Courier - 8/2/2017

ABINGDON, Va. - The Abingdon Police Department responded to seven mental health calls last week, according to a news release.

Officials in the department suggested that such calls hurt both patients dealing with mental issues and the police force's ability to spend time patrolling the city.

During the week of July 23-29, police spent 77.5 hours waiting in the emergency room for patient clearance and transport, costing the department time and taxpayer money, as each visit meant time spent not patrolling the streets. That meant over half of the hours worked during the department's 168-hour week had a reduced officer presence, according to the news release.

Additionally, 1,406.6 miles were spent in patient transport. The town's officers average approximately 135 miles per shift. Last week's approximate 1,400 miles "equates to 10 shifts of patrol time that were spent elsewhere in the Commonwealth, as opposed to patrolling to enhance the safety for the citizens of Abingdon."

Taxpayers face a direct cost of $2,368.64, which comes directly from the police department's budget.

"The time, expense, and mileage costs are not reimbursed by any agency," the news release said. "There is no provision in law for the department to seek reimbursement from the Commonwealth or insurance companies."

Abingdon Police Chief Tony Sullivan said that police need to be removed from the mental health equation, in the news release.

"It is my hope that the legislature will address this issue, for good, in the next legislative session," Sullivan said.

"Putting patients in the back of patrol cars and driving them across the state for treatment is not the answer. It stigmatizes the issues of mental health, is uncomfortable for the patient, creates mistrust in the patient's view of law enforcement, and reduces the safety of our communities."