Latest news with #MikeZiegler
CBS News
7 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Sacramento County Sheriff's Office faces more questions on mental health policy
SACRAMENTO -- The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office is facing more scrutiny and tough questions regarding its controversial decision not to respond to mental health calls if there is no crime being committed. The Sacramento County Sheriff Review Commission took those questions to the sheriff's office on Tuesday for the first public discussion on the matter since the policy was announced, where both the commission and a sheriff's office representative were present. The commission does not have policy power but acts as a watchdog group over the sheriff's office and can make recommendations. Ahead of the meeting, the commission submitted questions to the sheriff's office for review and discussed the list at length, asking questions about the policy impacts over the last five months. Sacramento County Undersheriff Mike Ziegler represented the department in front of the commission and provided insights on how the policy change has played out by the numbers. Since February, there have been 884 mental health calls. In 410, the sheriff's office did not respond; 286 calls were transferred to WellSpace Health, fire, or other mental health professionals; and in the remaining 188 calls, Ziegler said callers did not want service or specifically requested the sheriff's office, which Ziegler said can be a "red flag" and can signal the caller is attempting to harm responding deputies. "We haven't had one person call and then have them call back later and say that person committed suicide. Not one," Ziegler said. Commissioner questions ranged from requesting more data about mental health calls to the policy's impact on other agencies. "The big issue for the commission is how they handle ones where there's potential for violence and danger. This is both for the sheriff's office that is responding, and for me as well, first responders, fire department or county mental health response teams," said Paul Curtis, chair of the sheriff's commission. In a statement to CBS Sacramento, Captain Mark Nunez with the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District said they have not had any injuries due to behavioral health calls, but, in rare cases, if there is not a law enforcement presence, they will not be able to make contact with the patient. Nunez said: "While our crews remain committed to providing care, it's important to note that in rare cases, the absence of law enforcement may prevent our responders from safely making patient contact. In these situations, our personnel are trusted to make informed, real-time decisions that prioritize the safety of both the public and our responders. As a result of this careful and situational approach, Metro Fire has not incurred any injuries to first responders in relation to behavioral health calls. Metro Fire is also actively engaged in ongoing regional discussions with law enforcement and behavioral health partners to develop long-term, sustainable solutions that ensure both community safety and access to care." Ziegler told the commission that the sheriff's office is open to improving the policy, where there are improvements to be made. "From a law enforcement perspective, it is all positive," he said. By June 30, the commission will have final recommendations.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
High school students learn about city jobs on Law Day
Dozens of juniors and seniors from Effingham and St. Anthony high schools learned about what happens behind the scenes at the city's water treatment plant, wastewater treatment plant, police department and fire department on Thursday during the 68th Annual Elks National Law Day. The day began at city hall, and after a brief introduction, city officials and students split into two groups: one started at the water treatment plant and the other began at the wastewater treatment plant. Water Treatment Plant Chief Operator Mike Ziegler gave the students a tour of the plant and explained how water is cleaned through filters, chemistry and more. 'I think it's cool to see that they have to put tablets, that they have so many funnels, and how much water they push out for all of us because they are taking care of such a large population of people, and without them, all those people would have dirty water, polluted water,' said St. Anthony High School senior Jackie Niebrugge. 'It's kind of like something you don't think about, so when you see it, you're like: Oh, without them, we'd all be showering in not very clean water. We'd be drinking not very clean water. When we make stuff, it wouldn't have clean water in it. So it's very important to have that in our community.' Niebrugge plans on going into the medical field but learned how important water treatment plants are for communities. 'I do think it's just a very respectable job to have, to be able to provide for such a large community, and it's overlooked… I think it's vital for our community to have them,' she said. At the fire department, Captain Jeffrey Landrus taught the students about different fire equipment, let students spray a fire hose and ride on the landing of a ladder fire truck. At the police station, the group split in half: half went on a tour with Police Chief Jason McFarland and the other half experienced a police training simulator with Deputy Chief Kurt Davis. After the tour, the groups switched places. McFarland showed students many of the rooms in the department including the 9-1-1 call center, booking and the gym. The simulator allowed students to practice being a police officer by using an unloaded gun with Deputy Chief Davis. He taught students about the high stakes, pressure and very little time officers have when responding to emergency calls. Wastewater Treatment Plant Chief Operator Joe Williamson gave students a tour of the wastewater treatment plant and also explained how water is filtered and cleaned. Effingham High School seniors Adam Flack, Aaron Hill, Max Flack and Jaxon Bridges were surprised to learn how much water the city is responsible for managing. 'That's what a lot of what we learned was water and how it flows, and we get it all the way up from Shelbyville and places like that,' said Max. 'That's kind of crazy that we're a source of water for [somewhere] over thirty miles away.' They were also surprised to learn how much money is spent in each department. Although Adam Flack, Max Flack, Hill and Bridges don't want to go into public service work either, they gained a deeper appreciation for people in those roles. 'The people take their jobs very seriously,' said Adam. 'We're in good hands.'
