Government
BY RACHEL LELAND
League City’s mental health unit expects to grow, seeks grant funding
Looking ahead
The unit is hoping to grow in the coming fiscal year and as part of that is looking to bring on two new paramedics and additional police officers during FY 2024-25, Lt. Andrew Gilbertson said. Community Impact previously reported the police department applied for a $218,000 U.S. Department of Justice grant but was denied, Gilbertson said. Gilbertson added the department applied for another $300,000 grant from the Bureau of Justice and is still being considered for those funds, which he said could be used to purchase additional unmarked vehicles for the unit. If approved for the additional grant, funding would be awarded in October, Gilbertson said.
Seven months after launching a dedicated mental health unit, the League City Police Department is hoping to expand the team and secure additional funding. The department launched the unit in February to respond to calls involving people experiencing a mental health crisis. In August, Sgt. Kierstyn Portis called the program a success. It allows officers to connect people experiencing a mental health crisis to various local resources, such as churches, Alcoholics Anonymous and the Gulf Coast Center. Portis said members of the community are more open to interactions with the mental health officers. Plain clothes and unmarked vehicles help put residents at ease and protect
982 follow-up calls have been conducted by the mental health unit
6 months is how long the mental health unit has been operating
have been diverted from jail to a mental health care facility 25 people or 10% of people
SOURCE: LEAGUE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT/COMMUNITY IMPACT
privacy, she said. “To see the response that we’re getting and to see how well it’s flourishing on a day-to-day basis has been fantastic,” Portis said.
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