A bill in New York would establish a statewide mental health crisis response system.
Daniel’s Law calls for trained professionals to respond to mental health crises instead of police. The bill is named for Daniel Prude, a Rochester man who died in 2019 after police officers wrestled him to the ground while responding to a mental health crisis.
Eric Blazsek, program manager of mental health services at the Center for Independence of the Disabled New York, said while the bill has broad support, it faces some opposition.
“The opposition to programming like this will always be around concerns the responders will not be protected,” Blazsek explained. “And also based on a generalization that people who are in crisis are in danger and don’t need this kind of specialized approach.”
The bill states law enforcement would get involved in crisis responses only after a risk assessment finds a person poses a genuine threat.
Blazsek noted information is key to resolving any reservations and misconceptions. A state task force studied a similar program in New Jersey to understand best practices for crisis response. For now, Daniel’s Law is under review by the state Senate Finance Committee.
While the bill is named for Daniel Prude, Blazsek pointed out such a system has been needed for a long time, acknowledging some police departments are training officers in how to respond to distress calls with a person who is mentally ill. Until the bill is passed, he stressed more training is needed for law enforcement officers.
“Law enforcement should continue to do what they can to get training in mental health,” Blazsek urged. “So when they enter into situations, whatever those situations are where mental health elements are playing a role, that they’re best prepared.”
Blazsek feels the bill can help dispel misconceptions about mentally ill people, particularly that they naturally pose a danger to others when in crisis. Blazsek added police are not trained in trauma response, leading to negative encounters between them and people dealing with mental illness or substance use.
Edwin is a reporter and producer in North Tonawanda, New York. He’s previously reported for the Niagara Gazette and the Ithaca Times. Edwin got an early start in radio interning for WBFO-88.7FM, NPR’s Buffalo affiliate. In 2018, he graduated from SUNY Buffalo State College with a B.A. in Journalism, and in 2022, graduated from Syracuse University with an M.S. in Communications.