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Police chief: Hospital closures and long psychiatric holds are stretching police, prompting a PATH card pilot
Summary
Yaden's police chief said closures of nearby hospitals and lengthy involuntary psychiatric holds are reducing patrol capacity and driving a pilot PATH card program to connect arrested residents with social services.
YADEN — The borough's police chief told residents at the May 22 mayor's forum that recent hospital closures and longer stays for involuntary psychiatric evaluations are straining patrol staffing and resources, and the department will pilot a voluntary "PATH" card to link people encountered by police to social services.
"It's putting a strain on everyone's resources," Police Chief Henry Giammarco said of the effects after nearby emergency departments reduced services. He described cases in which officers must remain with involuntary-commitment ("302") patients in emergency departments for extended periods or until the patient is transferred, sometimes leaving fewer officers available for patrol duties. "If we…
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