Increase funding to help train people for crisis calls

The Nov. 15 article, “A call for crisis training” is a harrowing reminder of how overburdened and underequipped police are. Schenectady County Sheriff Dominic A. Dagostino is right, police are not psychologists or psychiatrists. This is why many are calling to defund law enforcement.

Trained, trauma-informed social workers and crisis responders don’t respond with violence in cases where people are not behaving violently. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has publications supporting the use of community-based organizations to improve outcomes for people living with serious mental illness and reduce the likelihood of justice involvement.

It was not responsible for Jason Daigneault to leave home without a face mask; COVID-19 cases are rising all over the country. Wearing a face mask if you have to leave home is the only thing you can do to reduce the risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19 and he could have put himself and others at risk. But I cannot condone the manner police became involved with Daigenault, and support the call for systemic reform.

Calling police for help should not end with vulnerable people sent to the hospital or worse. We need to increase funding to programs that protect vulnerable populations if we wish to lessen the burden on law enforcement. Community-based organizations will ensure police can focus on violence and criminal activity. Communities need support, and that starts by having qualified crisis responders.

Kyle Humphreys Albany