18-05-2025
Keep the Peace panel focuses on community issues
CONNEAUT — The Conneaut Area Ministerial Association and the Jefferson Community Church of God in Christ hosted a Keep the Peace panel at First Congregational United Church of Christ Friday.
The panel included Ashtabula County Sheriff William Niemi, Conneaut Municipal Court Judge Nicholas Iarocci and county Mental Health and Recovery Services Board Executive Director Kaitie Park Hart.
The panel was facilitated by Reverend Isaac Chappell, and discussed community outreach and dealing with people suffering from addiction or mental health issues, and how their institutions relate to it.
'Prevention starts in the family and in the community,' Park Hart said. 'There is only so much we can do with prevention in our schools that's actually going to impact our kids.'
Park Hart said the MHRS has a mobile crisis team that works with law enforcement.
'Whenever there is a crisis situation, law enforcement can call our mobile crisis provider, which is Signature Health,' she said. 'Unfortunately, it's not 24/7. We're working on that. Workforce is a huge issue in Ashtabula County. For all of the services that we have available, we need more people to provide those services.'
Niemi talked about county leaders' interest in getting funding to expand the jail.
'That jail was built in 1977,' Niemi said. 'The people that we deal with now are on a whole different level. Mental health is one of the biggest issues we're dealing with today.'
Park Hart said the MHRS board works to provide services at the county jail.
'There are a couple therapists in the jail,' she said. 'We have a case manager. Like the sheriff said, space is absolutely an issue.'
Niemi said the jail lacks space for counselors.
'Our jail is falling apart,' he said. 'It doesn't meet our needs, basically, and it's very possibly costing the county over three and a half million dollars.'
Iarocci talked about the Conneaut Renewal Court he started in the city. It is one of three Substance Abuse and Mental Illness courts in Ohio, and focuses on helping people suffering from those issues, who are sent to the municipal court.
'There were two people in [the Conneaut] jail, our little jail, who had serious mental health issues and substance abuse issues,' he said. 'One young lady was sleeping on the streets and was 23 years old.'
Iarocci said he wanted the 23-year-old woman sent to Renewal Court, regardless of what happened with her case.
'When she was sentenced ... I basically said we have a bed for you for the next hour, and you're immediately going to residential treatment,' he said.
The woman had never had residential treatment before, he said.
'She just started crying,' he said. 'This was a girl, who three days before, refused to be assessed.'
Reverend Eddie Parker, a community engagement liaison, was also part of the panel.
Parker said churches can get involved with community outreach and helping youth suffering from substance abuse issues.
'We're not proselytizing and trying to engage them in faith,' he said. 'We're trying to be a friend and meet the emotional needs. The church happens just to be a safe, neutral meeting place.'
