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Resident credits Montclair officers with saving his life; council and pastor join in praise
Summary
A Montclair resident testified that two city officers provided compassionate, nonjudgmental help during a mental-health crisis and facilitated temporary housing and rehabilitation; the mayor read a letter of thanks and the officers were publicly recognized.
The Montclair City Council meeting opened with a mayoral reading of a letter thanking two code-enforcement officers, Ortiz and Goodridge, for what the letter described as life-changing, compassionate assistance to Abel "AJ" Apodaca.
The mayor read the letter from Apodaca, which recounted that during a severe manic episode and psychosis—when his medication had lapsed—officers Ortiz and Goodridge "didn't see a case or a problem. You saw me," the letter said. The letter credited the officers with arranging referrals and a warm handoff that led to temporary housing and enrollment in a 30-day program run by Set Free Ministry.
Apodaca — who later spoke at the podium and introduced himself as "AJ" — told the council he had been homeless and off medication, that the officers treated him without judgment and helped him obtain housing and reunite with his mother and fiancée. "They not only reassured me, ensured my safety," he said, "they got me the temporary housing ... it was truly a blessing."
Pastor Donald Rucker delivered the invocation before the public-comment portion and the mayor asked the two officers to come forward and be recognized; members of the council and attendees applauded. The mayor said Montclair prioritizes connecting people living on the street to help and noted a partnership with Set Free Ministry.
No disciplinary or policy action was discussed in connection with this recognition; the remarks were expressions of gratitude from a resident and council acknowledgement of the officers' work.
The council then moved on to the remainder of the agenda.
