
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) – When dealing with the mentally ill, it’s a sensitive situation, especially for police.
WCBS 880’s Catherine Cioffi On The Story
READ MORE: New York Weather: CBS2’s 4/17 Saturday Morning ForecastSt. Sen. Jeff Klein is proposing a bill aimed at putting police in a better position to respond to emergencies involving the mentally ill.
It would require service providers who place them in residential housing to let police know if those clients have a history of violence.
“We really need to get local law enforcement the tools that they need,” Klein told WCBS 880 reporter Catherine Cioffi.
READ MORE: 18-Year-Old Saadiq Teague Arrested After Being Spotted With AK-47 At Times Square Subway StationKlein says if officers are aware of the background, they can alter their tactics.
“[It would] provide for the safety of the client and the tenants that reside in these buildings,” said Klein.
He says, unfortunately, that’s not happening right now.
MORE NEWS: COVID Vaccine In New York: Walk-In Appointments Offered To All New Yorkers Over 50 At City-Run SitesHe adds that his bill balances privacy and protection.