John Puls

And they punched a staff member, which subsequently led to their arrest and then going to the county jail where they received no treatment, of course. And through a lot of tired advocacy from both their guardian and myself, we were able to transfer to a proper program. But I think all the criminal justice would see is, hey, this person assaulted someone.

And they punched a staff member, which subsequently led to their arrest and then going to the county jail where they received no treatment, of course. And through a lot of tired advocacy from both their guardian and myself, we were able to transfer to a proper program. But I think all the criminal justice would see is, hey, this person assaulted someone.

This person is a danger to the community, and they need to be withheld. But when in reality, they're just not being properly treated, and there's a lack of understanding.

This person is a danger to the community, and they need to be withheld. But when in reality, they're just not being properly treated, and there's a lack of understanding.

This person is a danger to the community, and they need to be withheld. But when in reality, they're just not being properly treated, and there's a lack of understanding.

And certainly, once you're to the point of being involved in the criminal justice system and you're incarcerated, either in jail or prison, some places are doing it a little better in terms of providing mental health care, but the care that they receive is completely inadequate, very inadequate.

And certainly, once you're to the point of being involved in the criminal justice system and you're incarcerated, either in jail or prison, some places are doing it a little better in terms of providing mental health care, but the care that they receive is completely inadequate, very inadequate.

And certainly, once you're to the point of being involved in the criminal justice system and you're incarcerated, either in jail or prison, some places are doing it a little better in terms of providing mental health care, but the care that they receive is completely inadequate, very inadequate.

Absolutely. No, that's a great point. And I think that law enforcement officers are often an easy target. Oh, well, the law enforcement did this, police did this, and they are in very difficult situations and they have seconds to act.

Absolutely. No, that's a great point. And I think that law enforcement officers are often an easy target. Oh, well, the law enforcement did this, police did this, and they are in very difficult situations and they have seconds to act.

Absolutely. No, that's a great point. And I think that law enforcement officers are often an easy target. Oh, well, the law enforcement did this, police did this, and they are in very difficult situations and they have seconds to act.

I guess what I would respond to that as far as what we can do is look at some of what's already being done that I believe is effective, but it's done on a very small scale and it's kind of fractured and it's not widely adapted. In Palm Beach County, for example, we have what are called CIT officers, so crisis intervention trained officers.

I guess what I would respond to that as far as what we can do is look at some of what's already being done that I believe is effective, but it's done on a very small scale and it's kind of fractured and it's not widely adapted. In Palm Beach County, for example, we have what are called CIT officers, so crisis intervention trained officers.

I guess what I would respond to that as far as what we can do is look at some of what's already being done that I believe is effective, but it's done on a very small scale and it's kind of fractured and it's not widely adapted. In Palm Beach County, for example, we have what are called CIT officers, so crisis intervention trained officers.

They receive specific training on how to address and work with somebody that is in severe mental distress or may have autism in order to properly de-escalate and handle it. And you can actually, in terms of calling 911, you can actually request for a CIT officer to respond. However, there's a limited amount. And depending on the situation, they may not be able to send somebody out.

They receive specific training on how to address and work with somebody that is in severe mental distress or may have autism in order to properly de-escalate and handle it. And you can actually, in terms of calling 911, you can actually request for a CIT officer to respond. However, there's a limited amount. And depending on the situation, they may not be able to send somebody out.

They receive specific training on how to address and work with somebody that is in severe mental distress or may have autism in order to properly de-escalate and handle it. And you can actually, in terms of calling 911, you can actually request for a CIT officer to respond. However, there's a limited amount. And depending on the situation, they may not be able to send somebody out.

We also have something in different areas in South Florida called service population advocates. And so those are actually members of the police department. They're paid by the local municipality police department. They have a badge that says they're a part of the police department. But they're also licensed mental health counselors or licensed clinical social workers.

We also have something in different areas in South Florida called service population advocates. And so those are actually members of the police department. They're paid by the local municipality police department. They have a badge that says they're a part of the police department. But they're also licensed mental health counselors or licensed clinical social workers.

We also have something in different areas in South Florida called service population advocates. And so those are actually members of the police department. They're paid by the local municipality police department. They have a badge that says they're a part of the police department. But they're also licensed mental health counselors or licensed clinical social workers.