judytaylor10 comment-62691 2012-01-24T18:54:18Z 2012-01-24T18:54:18Z we have other mentel heath places in sacto they will send u to another when they said that we were cloesing they sent me to a place on bowling green dr they dont let us being un treated judytaylor10 2012-01-24T18:54:18Z chrisalvarez707 comment-49664 2011-04-25T01:10:14Z 2011-04-25T01:10:14Z This was my cousin and one of my best friends, his father was mentally ill too and had commited suicide while anthony was a young boy. Anthony was not a criminal or bad person he was always happy, nice and new how to cheer anybody up. I cry everyday that this had too happen I lived with anthony from 4th grade till about a year before this happend and I'm 18. Yes michael the 16 month old is my cousin as well and so is his mother and I know for a fact the mother is not mad at him because she has a brand new rest in peace anthony alvarez tatoo on her foot now jus weeks after it happend.. so don't think because of the circumstances of this situation that are family was angerd at him for doing this to my baby cousin, no ! We knew he wasn't goin to hurt him we knew ant was just very scared. And btw the sherriffs did all the shooting and none of the negotiations.. while when the local police did there 8 hour shift they did try to negotiate, how do I know u probably ask? Because I was sitting there with an fbi agent in my house with my father grandmother and mom while my dad negotiated with anthony.. oh btw we were way in hawaii where anthony spent a few years with us.. bet the press didn't release that huh chrisalvarez707 2011-04-25T01:10:14Z Sherrie Tyler comment-44200 2011-01-21T21:28:02Z 2011-01-21T21:28:02Z Update.. by my doctor increasing my meds and constantly telling myself that I am going to be okay and not believing my irrational thoughts...I think I am going to be ok. My fingers are crossed and hopefully my prayers have been answered. Sherrie Tyler 2011-01-21T21:28:02Z Sherrie Tyler comment-43944 2011-01-18T20:49:11Z 2011-01-18T20:49:11Z Wow! Casey! You made me smile very brightly! I enjoy writing for Sacramento Press very much and thankful that I am able to write about my experiences. Hopefully, I am making a difference to people who may have a mental illness, or who may know someone who has a mental illness or just educating others on mental illness. Sherrie Tyler 2011-01-18T20:49:11Z Casey Kirk comment-43940 2011-01-18T20:23:12Z 2011-01-18T20:23:12Z I agree with PW. I feel very privileged that you choose to share your experience with The Sacramento Press and I'm sure many readers feel the same. Kudos, Sherrie! Casey Kirk 2011-01-18T20:23:12Z Sherrie Tyler comment-43882 2011-01-18T15:27:55Z 2011-01-18T15:27:55Z Thank you very much PW! Sherrie Tyler 2011-01-18T15:27:55Z P W comment-43881 2011-01-18T14:16:39Z 2011-01-18T14:16:39Z If this article is a product of your cognitive therapy, you are making the most of it! Really - a great article, well written, Sher! Hang in there. I may not always comment on your pieces, but I'm a regular reader of them. Thanks for sharing such an intimate part of your life...it's helping others, I'm sure. P W 2011-01-18T14:16:39Z Sherrie Tyler comment-43847 2011-01-17T21:19:31Z 2011-01-17T21:19:31Z Thanks so much for your comment naga...I have really great friends who are keeping a watchful eye over me and my psychiatrist increased my medication which helps me to sleep. I slept for six straight hours last night...which is a good sign. I have had to help myself pretty much during the last twenty years of my mental illness and plan ahead when I see the warning signs. i have to be proactive and my friends tell me to watch my favorite movies and listen to my favorite songs and to try and relax. I try to use cognitive therapy on myself which means to change my way of thinking from unrealistic to rational. This is hard to do but I have done extensive research on cognitive therapy and so far it seems to be working. When i become psychotic it happens suddenly and even though I am not out of the woods yet...I am doing much better today. If you believe in a higher power maybe you can pray or send me positive thoughts. Just by you understanding and telling me I am in your thoughts warms my heart far more than you can imagine! Thank you!! Sher Sherrie Tyler 2011-01-17T21:19:31Z naga comment-43846 2011-01-17T21:03:28Z 2011-01-17T21:03:28Z Sherrie, what resources or contacts are available to you right now? Before going to the hospital? Do you need people to post here with any available aid? Thank you for sharing this and our thoughts are with you as you "hang on." naga 2011-01-17T21:03:28Z Sherrie Tyler comment-43841 2011-01-17T04:58:01Z 2011-01-17T04:58:01Z Pictures taken by my friend Mark Grinager. Sherrie Tyler 2011-01-17T04:58:01Z judytaylor10 comment-43056 2011-01-04T07:06:34Z 2011-01-04T07:06:34Z first if they close vision u will go to another when they were going close vision I was asine to the med center out clink cant spell that was on bowling green Dr so if it close u will go to another one so dont worrie judy judytaylor10 2011-01-04T07:06:34Z Sherrie Tyler comment-39063 2010-10-18T15:35:13Z 2010-10-18T15:35:13Z Thank you all for your encouragement!!! Sherrie Tyler 2010-10-18T15:35:13Z MerrilyMerrily comment-39038 2010-10-16T20:55:11Z 2010-10-16T20:55:11Z To the one person who thumbed down this good story, have you eaten? Your kindness synapses are not firing properly. MerrilyMerrily 2010-10-16T20:55:11Z MerrilyMerrily comment-39037 2010-10-16T20:54:00Z 2010-10-16T20:54:00Z My mother used to say that iit made her happy to have something to look forward to. She made a conscious effort at this.That in itself was her way of having goals. My aunt who is 90 years occasionally orders things to come in the mail, as she considers it the same way.As a child, they didn't have much of a Christmas, except they always had a cracking good dinner!!She loves her UPS or FedEx person! MerrilyMerrily 2010-10-16T20:54:00Z MerrilyMerrily comment-39036 2010-10-16T20:49:29Z 2010-10-16T20:49:29Z YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MerrilyMerrily 2010-10-16T20:49:29Z Kati Garner comment-38996 2010-10-16T03:08:56Z 2010-10-16T03:08:56Z You'll do it! Kati Garner 2010-10-16T03:08:56Z Isaac Gonzalez comment-38994 2010-10-16T02:27:45Z 2010-10-16T02:27:45Z Good Luck! Isaac Gonzalez 2010-10-16T02:27:45Z Karen Everett Watson comment-38597 2010-10-10T14:11:22Z 2010-10-10T14:11:22Z Keep trusting in God and take good care of yourself. My best friend suffers as you do! We've had many experiences at Sierra Vista. Get a good routine and lots of sunshine and exercise! Karen Everett Watson 2010-10-10T14:11:22Z M Johnson comment-34362 2010-08-05T19:13:56Z 2010-08-05T19:13:56Z Great points Sherrie! Great article! M Johnson 2010-08-05T19:13:56Z EarlRichards comment-34061 2010-08-02T09:17:02Z 2010-08-02T09:17:02Z Chevron gouged $24 billions in excessive profits in 2008, as per www.tyrannyofoil.com. Schwarzezenegger should put an excessive profits tax on these profits, instead of protecting the oil corporations from fair taxation, then, there would be sufficient public funds for all the vulnerable, people programs. Big business lost the fight to eliminte domestic violence funding, so now they are coming back with a vengeance. There is no funding provision for battered women shelters in the May Revise. Schwarzee picks on the most vulnerable, and not on corporate tax "deadbeats." EarlRichards 2010-08-02T09:17:02Z Sherrie Tyler comment-31750 2010-06-29T20:32:17Z 2010-06-29T20:32:17Z I wanted to add that the Sheriff department bought some new furniture for the Pittman family (whose apartment was destroyed during the hostage stand off.) And it was reported that Anthony Alvarez was in a court ordered treatment for his mental illness but failed to report to his hearing before his illegal activities escalated. Sherrie Tyler 2010-06-29T20:32:17Z Sherrie Tyler comment-31458 2010-06-25T17:44:55Z 2010-06-25T17:44:55Z I slept seven hours last night and am feeling a little better. I think getting used to living alone is difficult for me so today I am going to install little alarms on my windows...and eventually get a security screen door. This should help me feel safe and get the sleep that I need so I don't have an episode.... Sherrie Tyler 2010-06-25T17:44:55Z brokenheart19 comment-31374 2010-06-25T04:06:25Z 2010-06-25T04:06:25Z I no longer know what to do to help my son with his mental side. for the first time I'm lost. in some ways he would be better off with out me but at the same time he needs someone who would not take him for granted. whats going to happen when I'm no longer around to help him? would he end up homeless? or in jail for doing something he could not help? we need to help our children in California and not in foreign country's. our children need a chance to be able to live a full life . lets make a stand for our children and do more to get what they need before its to late. brokenheart19 2010-06-25T04:06:25Z Sherrie Tyler comment-31091 2010-06-23T23:51:43Z 2010-06-23T23:51:43Z Mark, thank you for your kind words and understanding it is greatly appreciated! Sherrie Tyler 2010-06-23T23:51:43Z M Johnson comment-31068 2010-06-23T21:49:40Z 2010-06-23T21:49:40Z Sherrie, we pray for your well being. My heart is with you. I've never once limited my understanding of mental illness to the homicidal, but I agree the MSM and pop culture depicts it as such. Sex and murder sell. Sad but true. I don't understand life and why some people have to deal with conditions such as yours. My best hypothesis is that we live in a fallen world, and as such we're in an anything-goes type of situation where God only intervenes when he has to----and for reasons that none of us will ever comprehend. Keep writing, keep expressing yourself, keep being incredibly courageous. For what it's worth you have my unconditional respect and support. God bless you M Johnson 2010-06-23T21:49:40Z Sherrie Tyler comment-31061 2010-06-23T20:47:28Z 2010-06-23T20:47:28Z Thank you for your comment mtsacramento! I slept a little better last night so my fingers are crossed! Sherrie Tyler 2010-06-23T20:47:28Z mtsacramento comment-31047 2010-06-23T18:27:25Z 2010-06-23T18:27:25Z I have a bi-polar friend who swears by medical marijuana. She was skeptical at first but it ended up helping her sleep which, as you know, is one of the best defenses against an episode. That, along with her meds, has kept her episode-free for a few years now. Good luck. mtsacramento 2010-06-23T18:27:25Z sue1949 comment-30837 2010-06-22T00:29:11Z 2010-06-22T00:29:11Z sorry if i didnt ask about the officers involved,and yes they did a great job saving the baby ,and making sure others were not hurt in this hostage situation. The officers that were there did a great job .bless all the officers and their familys. if we didnt have law enforesment ,matters wuld be worse sue1949 2010-06-22T00:29:11Z Sherrie Tyler comment-30620 2010-06-17T20:10:00Z 2010-06-17T20:10:00Z Ayannello2005, Thanks for your incredible knowledgable insight! I agree with you the New York Kendra's Law is a success and they are trying to make it permanent. Assisted Outpatient Treatment is currently under review in San Francisco county as they are trying to implement Laura's Law at this time. Hopefully people will write the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors and express how important this law is so this bill will get the funding needed and the law will be enforced! Sherrie Tyler 2010-06-17T20:10:00Z ayannello2005 comment-30614 2010-06-17T19:08:52Z 2010-06-17T19:08:52Z Great article, Sherrie. I've been covering Laura's Law since it was only a glimmer in Helen Thompson's eye, and now that we've had it for eight years, I find it egregious that our political leaders still don't have the political will to enact this most important of laws. Every parent who lives with an adult child with mental illness knows how what an important tool this would be for them, and the question becomes, how many more mentally ill people have to die, or languish in back bedrooms because we refuse to provide Assisted Outpatient Treatment? The stats are clear with Kendra's Law in New York: AOT WORKS!!! The politicians who refuse to enact Laura's Law, while at the same time gutting mental health services, have blood on their hands, whether they want to admit it or not. // BTW: Illnesses like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are nearly always accompanied by a condition called "anosognosia", or, poor insight. Meaning, the very illness that's making them sick is telling them THEY'RE NOT SICK, and they DON'T NEED HELP. AOT helps break through this barrier. A great book, by Dr. Xavier Amador "I am not sick! I don't need help!" outlines this very well. A must-read for anyone who has someone in their lives with mental illness. ayannello2005 2010-06-17T19:08:52Z Sherrie Tyler comment-30327 2010-06-15T15:02:04Z 2010-06-15T15:02:04Z Shelley, thanks for your input...the officers were very brave in this tragic situation and I in no way condone Anthony Alvarez's behaviour. I agree with you...the officers involved are going to have to deal with this situation for a long time. Unfortunately Alvarez was mentally ill and this does not excuse his behaviour, but does shed a different light on the situation. Sherrie Tyler 2010-06-15T15:02:04Z Sherrie Tyler comment-30331 2010-06-15T14:06:06Z 2010-06-15T14:06:06Z Shelley, you make a good point and you are correct...there is noway you can ensure that someone who is mentally ill takes their medication 24 hours a day. There is no cure for bipolar or schizophrenia and by taking medication...this does not ensure that severe mentally ill people will not relapse. But remember...the mentally ill population is no more dangerous than the general population who do not have a mental illness. Laura's Law is just one avenue that may help. What Alvarez did was horrible! and I am glad the situation is over and the child is ok. Sherrie Tyler 2010-06-15T14:06:06Z Sherrie Tyler comment-30332 2010-06-15T13:41:17Z 2010-06-15T13:41:17Z Josh, It must have been difficult and even frightening at times dealing with a family member with untreated schizophrenia. And as budget cuts are getting deeper for the mentally ill, there are going to be more mentally ill who are not only untreated, but on the street as well. Sherrie Tyler 2010-06-15T13:41:17Z Shelley comment-30319 2010-06-15T06:52:40Z 2010-06-15T06:52:40Z Sue1949- Alvarez's family isn't the only one still dealing with this tragedy. The police officers and their families will have to deal with this situation for a very long time. I am related to the officer that was hurt saving the baby. His family is suffering a great deal over this situation and the fact that he very easily could have lost his life in this situation. I hope that we don't forget that the officers that went into that apartment that day are truly heroes! Shelley 2010-06-15T06:52:40Z Shelley comment-30317 2010-06-15T06:41:00Z 2010-06-15T06:41:00Z I totally agree with what Josh said. There is no way to make sure a person takes their medication as directed unless they are in a facility 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I don't think locking up a mentally ill person for 72 hours is going to make him take his medication. Alvarez was a pathetic excuse for a human being. He got what he deserved! Shelley 2010-06-15T06:41:00Z kindword comment-30303 2010-06-15T04:32:22Z 2010-06-15T04:32:22Z I wish that we had Laura's Law in place in order to help us and our son that lives with us. It is so hard for people to understand that this illness is not one that you can negotiate even the smallest thing with a person with this illness. Our son's license was suspended, but that does not matter to him because he has a physical disability that causes him to do what he wants, when he wants and what impluse that comes across at that moment to do as he is directed by his brain. To allow him to make the decision to take meds or not take meds is not even a decision he can make on his own. He does not have the mental ability to make that decision. Laura's Law is our hope to someday have in place. It is so hard to explain this illness to someone who has never experienced living with someone who has it. kindword 2010-06-15T04:32:22Z Sherrie Tyler comment-30267 2010-06-14T23:43:00Z 2010-06-14T23:43:00Z Great question Rhonda...Former District 8 Assemblywoman Helen Thomson wrote AB 1421 Laura's Law and in Septermber of 2002 Gray Davis signed it into law. It went into effect January of 2003 for five years. I am not sure what happened after that but will do more research on this. I have researched to find out what happened with the funds for this law but when the law was passed it did not include the funding to go with it. I found a radio interview regarding Laura's Law :KQED hosted by Dave Iverson. Laura's Law: Forum | KQED Public Media for Northern CA May 14, 2010. I went on line and found this if you would like to listen to the interview. It is very interesting. Since the law was first implemented in 2003 only two counties Los Angeles and Nevada county in California adopted the law. (a correction from my above article where it stated only one county adopted Laura's Law.) Part of the reason the Law was not implementated is the fact that it is left up to the counties to enforce the law and according to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Laura's Law can not reduce funds from voluntary mental health services. Sherrie Tyler 2010-06-14T23:43:00Z JoshFernandez comment-30269 2010-06-14T20:02:45Z 2010-06-14T20:02:45Z My father has suffered from schizophrenia for as long as I can remember. He's punched a couple cops, gotten into many fist fights, but hasn't killed anyone yet. He refuses to take medication and is impossible to track because he moves around a lot and is nearly homeless. And I know that if he did what Alvarez did, I'd want him dead. This idea that every human life is sacred is ridiculous. If individuals need to be monitored so that they don't slip up and kill people, they should be put to sleep. Some humans are just not fit to live. JoshFernandez 2010-06-14T20:02:45Z Rhonda Erwin comment-30262 2010-06-14T17:40:41Z 2010-06-14T17:40:41Z This is a very informative article; thank you. Sherrie, in Dec 2005 I attended a county forum downtown at a hotel (I can’t remember exact date/ location and I have too many boxes to go through to find it) At the meeting they were discussing a proposition which was to supply funding for mentally ill programs. I can't remember the proposition. I recall former Police Chief Najera placed a cry to community members to attend the forum and support the PERT (Police Emergency Response Team) for funding. He attempted to get funding to enhance the police department. At the forum both SPD and SSD were present and the Chiefs, Sheriff were speakers along with many others. The room was filled with family members of someone with a mental illness, I heard the cries, voices, fear from people diagnosed with mental illness. My heart would bleed listening to some of the experiences of the strong individuals who have family members who are schizophrenic. Throughout the program seeing so many either diagnosed with mental illness or who have a family member diagnosed with mental illness, lining up to speak to receive the much needed funding was overwhelming. I was there to address the families in a psychological frozen state due to youth violence or youth whose friend died in their arms or witness bodies covered in a tarp dead on our streets. But once I saw the people with schizophrenic and other illnesses crying out for help I joined their line heck, mental health funding belongs to the mentally ill. Not PERT or anyone else wanting a share of the pie. I'm curious, whatever happened to the proposition funding? I go to city and county budgets often regarding youth violence I will certainly try and be there for this issue as well and support Laura's Law. I pray for all affected by the tragedy of Anthony Alvarez. Thank you for the article and your heart. Rhonda Erwin 2010-06-14T17:40:41Z Sherrie Tyler comment-30260 2010-06-14T17:02:13Z 2010-06-14T17:02:13Z In a phone interview with KCRA channel 3 it is not known at this time why he wasn't on his medication. It could be several reasons such as with the mental health clinics closing that he didn't have access to his meds, couldn't afford his meds or doesn't like the side effects of his antipsychotic medication. I am very happy that the child was rescued but I wonder if Alvarez wouldn't have benefited from something like Laura's Law which I wrote about today and is posted on Sacramento Press. Sherrie Tyler 2010-06-14T17:02:13Z hula57 comment-30258 2010-06-14T16:52:10Z 2010-06-14T16:52:10Z How sad that it had to come to that .................. It will be interesting to find out why he stopped taking his meds. And how he had access to his toddler cousin. hula57 2010-06-14T16:52:10Z Sherrie Tyler comment-30255 2010-06-14T16:22:33Z 2010-06-14T16:22:33Z I would like to point out that only a very small percentage of those who suffer from mental illness are dangerous to others. But as lack of funding for proper mental medical treatment is diminishing due to severe budget cuts mental health needs will rise. Sherrie Tyler 2010-06-14T16:22:33Z Sherrie Tyler comment-30250 2010-06-14T14:47:46Z 2010-06-14T14:47:46Z Great questions. A person based on clinical history must meet the criteria mentioned above as well as be a danger to himself or others and considered gravely disabled (unable to care for himself....for example be without food and shelter). A court hearing determines if the criteria is met and the court decides if the person is eligible for Assisted Outpatient Treatment . Unfortunately, Laura's Law needs funding to be enforced. Since this is a County issue you can write a letter to your representative in the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors... Go to Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, www.bos.saccounty.net on the right upperside of the page click on "Departments" then under the heading of "Need Help" click on "Contact us" It will ask you to enter your street number and street name and it will direct you to your representative. OR You can go to a Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Meeting at County Administration Center 700 H. street RM 1450 Sacramento, CA 95814 Meetings are held every Tuesday and the 2nd and fourth Wednesday at 9:30am (excluding holidays) and on the 2nd Wednesday the board also meets at 6:00pm. Citizens are encouraged to attend. In order for Laura's Law to be reinforced people need to voice their opinions! Sherrie Tyler 2010-06-14T14:47:46Z katcamp comment-30248 2010-06-14T12:36:15Z 2010-06-14T12:36:15Z Very informative article. I am curious as to who determines if that person fits the criteria and is it something the family can get involved with? katcamp 2010-06-14T12:36:15Z Sherrie Tyler comment-30205 2010-06-14T00:53:31Z 2010-06-14T00:53:31Z Sue, at 4pm June 11th, via robot they tried to give Alvarez food and water and he did not take it. At that point it was determined that Alvarez was not properly caring for the child. Also, he was staying in a small hallway where the SWAT team could not see him or the baby.So, around 7:50pm on June 11th, the SWAT team went through a wall in the apartment and had eye contact with Alverez who began shooting at the officers. They shot back and were able to safely retrieve the child. Deputy Mayes carried the baby to safety. Alvarez died from his injuries. The SWAT team had permission from Sacramento County Sheriff Mcginness to use deadly force if they saw an opportunity. The Brave SWAT team did just that and thank God the baby is ok and the 56 hour long hostage standoff ended. Sherrie Tyler 2010-06-14T00:53:31Z sue1949 comment-30188 2010-06-13T18:30:28Z 2010-06-13T18:30:28Z its sad that one has to do such terrible things to others .now only family has to deal with the loss now of ,MR ALVEREZ , AT LEAST THE BABY CAN BE BACK WITH ITS MOTHER AND NOT REMEMBER A THING sue1949 2010-06-13T18:30:28Z sue1949 comment-30187 2010-06-13T18:22:32Z 2010-06-13T18:22:32Z was mr. alverez shot how did they take him out of the apartment sue1949 2010-06-13T18:22:32Z Sherrie Tyler comment-30121 2010-06-12T17:13:25Z 2010-06-12T17:13:25Z Sacramento County Sheriff Mcginness confirmed to KCRA channel 3 that Anthony Alvarez has died from his injuries from the SWAT team. This standoff which began at 11:30am wednesday started when Alvaraz who is from San Francisco and is a wanted man saw a police officer and pulled his 16 month old cousin inside the Sacramento apartment. Several adults fled the apartment and a four year old child was rescued from a rear window. It is not known at this time how long Alvarez had been off his antipsychotic medication or why he stopped taking it. Sherrie Tyler 2010-06-12T17:13:25Z Sherrie Tyler comment-30120 2010-06-12T03:10:20Z 2010-06-12T03:10:20Z Hostage situation OVER! 16th month old child is ok and was rushed to UC Davis Med Center for observation . According to Sacramento County Sheriff John Mcginness, the toddler , Michael Pittman Jr. appears to be fine. The suspect 26 year old Alvarez is in grave danger after being shot at by Sheriff Deputies who saw an opening to apprehend the suspect and free the child. Sherrie Tyler 2010-06-12T03:10:20Z Sherrie Tyler comment-30111 2010-06-12T00:28:34Z 2010-06-12T00:28:34Z At around 4pm today food and water was delivered via robot to Alvarez . At this time the toddler is believed to still be alive. According to Sgt. Curran they will wait as long as necessary . The welfare of the child is their greatest concern. In an interview with Alvarez's mother on Wednesday shortly after this hostage situation began,said that her son via phone conversation said he was worried about being shot if he surrendered. In an interview later she said that Alvarez is still her son and she loves him although his actions do have consequences...and hopes this ordeal ends soon. Sherrie Tyler 2010-06-12T00:28:34Z katcamp comment-30108 2010-06-11T23:24:45Z 2010-06-11T23:24:45Z I learned more in this article than on the news. I hope this ends soon and the baby is safe and returned to its mother. katcamp 2010-06-11T23:24:45Z Sherrie Tyler comment-30002 2010-06-11T19:39:16Z 2010-06-11T19:39:16Z ...it has not been reported at this time if he is or not. Sherrie Tyler 2010-06-11T19:39:16Z Sherrie Tyler comment-30068 2010-06-11T19:18:31Z 2010-06-11T19:18:31Z Alvarez is still holding his baby cousin hostage at this hour and it is believed the toddler is ok. Also, it was reported that Alvarez was shot in the arm and sustained a head injury, however, this may be untrue. Sherrie Tyler 2010-06-11T19:18:31Z Ron comment-30000 2010-06-11T12:56:08Z 2010-06-11T12:56:08Z Is this guy an illegal? Ron 2010-06-11T12:56:08Z Casey Kirk comment-29994 2010-06-11T06:17:57Z 2010-06-11T06:17:57Z Thanks, thsas, the error is fixed. Casey Kirk 2010-06-11T06:17:57Z Sherrie Tyler comment-29988 2010-06-11T05:10:34Z 2010-06-11T05:10:34Z At the 35th hour still no change in the stand off between Alvarez and police. The toddler was last seen at 8:12. thursday night. Lets hope and pray that this ends soon and the child is ok. Sherrie Tyler 2010-06-11T05:10:34Z thsas comment-29981 2010-06-11T03:18:11Z 2010-06-11T03:18:11Z This is the less traditional spelling of Mentally? thsas 2010-06-11T03:18:11Z Sherrie Tyler comment-29975 2010-06-11T01:59:59Z 2010-06-11T01:59:59Z As of 6:30p.m.June 10th, it was determined that the toddler is still alive. Thank goodness. This hostage situation has been going on for over thirty hours now. It has been reported that the suspect has been shot in the arm and has a head injury. Arden way remains shut down from Fulton ave. and Bell street. Use Alta Arden Expressway as an alternative route. Sherrie Tyler 2010-06-11T01:59:59Z psychsarah7 comment-24966 2010-04-16T21:56:48Z 2010-04-16T21:56:48Z The funding is already there. California voters passed the Mental Health Services Act in 2004 to provide money to improve mental health care. The problem is that the state and counties are broke. Therefore, they are trying to pull the MHSA money from non-profit organizations in order to keep county jobs that would otherwise be cut. The problem is that when the county was running mental health care it didn't do a good job, hence the passing of the MHSA! It's another case of the people of California voting for something and telling the government what we want and them turning around and spending the money in whatever manner they feel like. psychsarah7 2010-04-16T21:56:48Z beerzie comment-24416 2010-04-08T19:54:30Z 2010-04-08T19:54:30Z You are not dreaming, but you may be delusional. What, exactly, does this mean? "the statist anti-Americans started to wipe their own excrement across it and call it art" HUH? beerzie 2010-04-08T19:54:30Z Sherrie Tyler comment-24323 2010-04-06T22:01:40Z 2010-04-06T22:01:40Z Ken, A couple of months ago I wrote an article stating that with the proposed budget cuts for mental health that some of the people with mental health issues will go without treatment and may be killed by police because of their erratic behavior. This article points out that fact. My sources for this story were the Sacramento Bee and Kcra Channel 3. I thought it was important enough to report it to the Sacramento Press. Sherrie Tyler 2010-04-06T22:01:40Z Sherrie Tyler comment-24326 2010-04-06T20:51:27Z 2010-04-06T20:51:27Z I did have it reviewed but I will work on leaving out the Bias for my next article...it is just that i am personally affected by the proposed budget cuts in mental health. Thanks for your constructive crticism. Sherrie Tyler 2010-04-06T20:51:27Z Ken White comment-24319 2010-04-06T20:28:24Z 2010-04-06T20:28:24Z Are there only 'contributors' and no editors? The sad truth is, were this article dressed up only slightly it would qualify as Sac Bee material. I LOVED Sacramento Press for a very short period of time before the statist anti-Americans started to wipe their own excrement across it and call it art. I'm sure that the officer can remember all of the calls she made about having her legs cut-off and figured some paperwork reduction was in order. That and your bias = we need socilalized medicine. All of this is irrelevant, however... my problem with your article is that it is (like this comment) a rant, not a news item. I almost deleted this comment about 8 times now... but I really mean it. It would be so nice to have a local paper dealing in local newsworthy items without extremely obvious political slant. Am I dreaming? Ken White 2010-04-06T20:28:24Z Ken White comment-24325 2010-04-06T20:26:04Z 2010-04-06T20:26:04Z It seems to assign specific blame to the officer who, from what we may infer, fired at a vehicle ramming into him. If there is some other evidence to the contrary it should be presented and not inferred. I was merely eye-rolling until the final paragraph, however, at which point it became a blog posting. Ken White 2010-04-06T20:26:04Z John Day comment-24324 2010-04-06T20:21:26Z 2010-04-06T20:21:26Z Interesting. I would have to agree with you view, this does seem to take the form of a rant and not an article. I would recommend the author attend a course or at least have the article reviewed by a staffer before posting. I have had articles posted for different reasons, so I know things like this are done. Isn't it interesting that a "rant" can get on without review... John Day 2010-04-06T20:21:26Z thsas comment-24063 2010-03-31T15:51:08Z 2010-03-31T15:51:08Z "What part of that equation does our politicians not get?" They get NONE OF IT! thsas 2010-03-31T15:51:08Z katcamp comment-24029 2010-03-31T00:06:42Z 2010-03-31T00:06:42Z Due to the State's heavy spending and lack of money management, a percentage of the Mental Health providers have been forced to close their doors leaving their patients wthout mental illness services. Additional state budget cuts only make the problem worse. What part of that equation does our politicians not get? This is just sad - terribly sad! katcamp 2010-03-31T00:06:42Z drron comment-23889 2010-03-27T15:40:48Z 2010-03-27T15:40:48Z @thsas: Don't be fooled. There is _plenty_ of money to provide this care. The county intercepts all the money from Medi-Cal that could go to treating adults with mental illness. That's why you won't find any private doctors or independent clinics that will treat people: if they try to bill for their services, Medi-Cal says "we've already paid for their care." Now the county is getting all the money and not providing any care. It's a great gig if you can stomach it. RST refugees who are wondering what to do next are invited to call my toll-free hotline at 1-866-942-0516 or visit www.sacdoc.org/help for updates on what the county is planing for them. drron 2010-03-27T15:40:48Z Rhonda Erwin comment-23876 2010-03-27T04:41:08Z 2010-03-27T04:41:08Z This is sad, closing the clinics, clients not taking medication ..., can cause more crime and what the heck a need for more deputies and what then??? keep closing everything to provide more deputies to cover the gap which the county creates by closing services to the mentally ill and poor??? Rhonda Erwin 2010-03-27T04:41:08Z thsas comment-23873 2010-03-27T03:23:59Z 2010-03-27T03:23:59Z Where should the funding come from? thsas 2010-03-27T03:23:59Z morganforms comment-19712 2009-12-22T01:56:59Z 2009-12-22T01:56:59Z Some police officers are more easily willing to shoot a person with a severe mental illness. Some officers are corrupt and hypervigilant, and as a result think severely mentally ill people are worthless and better off dead. I don't believe these shootings of some of the mentally ill are just from police ignorance or accident. I'm mentally ill and 5150 and the officer I thought wanted to kill, like he thought I was some worthless, stupid fool. But, I was better after my hospital, completely normal and functioning again. I wasn't really mentally ill, but had just high blood pressure and anxiety. The officer thought I was severly mentally ill, and I believe all this officer could see was some severe mental illness going on with me, as if I was nothing but a nutcase. I was treated disrespectfully, lost my job, almost beat up by another patient in the nutward, and never felt quite myself again. I could have recovered in a regular hospital for two days, but since this officer had to insist I was a '5150', I almost lost my life from the brutal treatment. I"ve never been so close to my casket before in my life. I did contemplate suicide after the long psychiatric hospital. After getting out was when I was closest to a suicide because of being treated meanly and being shamed for my state of mind and treated like a wasted human in a nutward. I have two college degrees, a 3 page resume, 4 years of martial arts, been in ballet, dance, and have been an outstanding person, only to be treated like garbage. It's was obvious my problem was medical when the doctor found I was having PMS with high blood pressure, not a mental illness. morganforms 2009-12-22T01:56:59Z katcamp comment-19436 2009-12-17T05:41:08Z 2009-12-17T05:41:08Z There are two completely different ways to view what happened and two different views to prevent it from happening again. Both views are respectively understood. We must remember that the mentally challenged far too often are left behind to fend for themselves with no place to turn. I see the only answer for a solution is more funding to create additional programs. Controversy is necessary to bring awareness. Awareness is necessary to bring changes. Hats off to you Ms. Tyler for confronting difficult issues. katcamp 2009-12-17T05:41:08Z Sherrie Tyler comment-19368 2009-12-16T04:02:28Z 2009-12-16T04:02:28Z Dale, thanks for your input! Sherrie Tyler 2009-12-16T04:02:28Z Dale Kooyman comment-19367 2009-12-16T03:44:03Z 2009-12-16T03:44:03Z Sherrie, I was on the Homeless Board when PERT was implemented here. It was based on a very successful San Diego program that created a team of mental health workers and police to help mentally ill there. Here mental health and social service providers objected strongly to law enforcement getting any of the funds. They contended that only the providers should get the money because dealing with the mentally ill was just part of PD's job. Dale Kooyman 2009-12-16T03:44:03Z cogmeyer comment-19345 2009-12-15T23:20:01Z 2009-12-15T23:20:01Z A person attacks and grabs the nightstick of a police officer for many reasons. It may be drugs, mental illness, suicidal tendencies (death by cop), an attempt to flee, or any attempt from a lucid criminal to harm an officer. In a perfect world nobody would hurt anybody. In the real world I prefer that officers rely on their trained response for when they are attacked so that he/she is the one to return home to his/her family that night. Do you really believe the officer or anybody in the sheriff's department wanted to see the death of a mentally ill person? Or that somehow that shooting the guy was the "easy option" for the officer? The title of the article should highlight that an officer was punched in the face and beaten with his own nightstick but luckily was able to survive, but unfortunately had to shoot the assailant. Have some respect! cogmeyer 2009-12-15T23:20:01Z Adamtwlv comment-19325 2009-12-15T18:22:00Z 2009-12-15T18:22:00Z When a mentally ill person has a break down to the point of being violent they can be the most dangerous person for law enforcement to deal with. They do not have the ability to reason and have internal forces that are propelling them down a path that is very difficult to change during that episode. If their actions turn to a nature that the officer must defend themselves, then that is the path that must be taken. Please do not condemn any officer that goes home at night. Their duties require them to be placed in situations that may not be able to be resolved in any manner other than death. If a family knows their loved one has the potential and probable likely hood of becoming violent, then I believe it is their responsibility to place them in a facility or get treatment that can manage their issues. I have seen this in many communities with different results. Rohnert Park officer having to defend themselves by killing a "deranged man" . On the other hand, Deputy Lee from the Riverside S.O. was killed after he was beaten to death by his own baton by a mentally ill man. No family will be happy with any outcome of death, be it the officer or the family of the mentally ill. So, Families with psychotic members take care to not let your loved ones get into or put an officer in the position to make that decision. Adamtwlv 2009-12-15T18:22:00Z Andrew Pettit comment-19324 2009-12-15T17:42:01Z 2009-12-15T17:42:01Z The title of your article is very misleading and not fair to all the men and women of the Sacramento Police Department. Your whole article refers to an incident in Sacramento County not in the City of Sacramento. Your article has some valid points of notifying law enforcement that someone may have a mental issue however, if someone is violent regardless of mental issues, alcohol, drugs, or other issues then the Officer must protect any victims and themselves. Officers always try to resolve conflicts non-violently but the unfortunate part of the job is that sometimes through the best of efforts it is not possible. Even the best of trained mental health professionals will at times call the police on a mental ill patient who is acting out violently. Andrew Pettit 2009-12-15T17:42:01Z Sherrie Tyler comment-19287 2009-12-15T03:42:03Z 2009-12-15T03:42:03Z Rhonda Erwin, thanks for your comment. I am wondering what happened to the funding for the PERT program as well. Sherrie Tyler 2009-12-15T03:42:03Z Rhonda Erwin comment-19286 2009-12-15T02:44:29Z 2009-12-15T02:44:29Z I remember attending the county forum held in December 2005 after reading on the SPD website Police Chief Najera's plea for community members to stand behind PERT (Police Emergency Reponse Team) once a proposition granted funding for the mentally ill. At the forum many agencies who work with the mentally ill were present as well as many within law enforcment. It was really sad to see so many stand before the panel requesting funding within law enforcement and so many community members with severe mental illness being overlooked by some because they wanted the funding to enhance LE departments. Money was available and again so many looked at money and how it could enhance their departments and not at the people..... Anyway thank you Sherrie Tyler for sharing your information. I wonder whatever happened to the PERT program? Whatever happened to the funding for the proposition which was to go to and for programs for emergency response to and for the mentally ill? I was one of the community members who spoke at the forum and while youth violence was embraced by many in the room none of the funding went towards families mentally, emotionally, psychologically affected by violence and I was okay with that having heard many dreadful stories by many who appeared more in need. I recall hearing so many with severe disabilities such as schizophrenia speak of feelings of separation of thought and emotion of delusion and bizarre behavior and their fear of Law enforcement being the first response..... It would be interesting to learn if the funding had an impact or if once again people were lost in the shuffle and dollars trickled down everywhere but to the people in need? Rhonda Erwin 2009-12-15T02:44:29Z HonestAbe comment-19280 2009-12-15T02:20:12Z 2009-12-15T02:20:12Z An officer, in the defense of the weal of the community, must be held to and congratulated for, both the vicissitudes and delights of his successes and failures. HonestAbe 2009-12-15T02:20:12Z Sherrie Tyler comment-19277 2009-12-15T01:28:26Z 2009-12-15T01:28:26Z When I wrote police officer I mean law enforcement in general...I also want to say that the Police/Sheriff departments work very hard and are unfortunately overworked and underpaid. I have a mental illness myself and have encountered the police many times through out my life... and from what I can remember they are usually very nice to me. But that is because they were informed in advance that I have a mental illness. It is a scary thought for me that if I did get out of control or become violent (which I am not usually) that I may be hurt or even killed. Sherrie Tyler 2009-12-15T01:28:26Z BSmeter comment-19276 2009-12-15T01:15:38Z 2009-12-15T01:15:38Z The shooting officer is from Sac County Sheriff's Department, not Sac Police Department. Two different cultures. BSmeter 2009-12-15T01:15:38Z Karl comment-17357 2009-11-06T03:24:14Z 2009-11-06T03:24:14Z Hey libs, remember how great our "socialist utopia" was? Eight years of Bush, the Younger. Eight years of Bill "The era of Big Government is dead" Clinton. Four years of Bush, the Elder. Eight Years of Reagan. Gee, I wish we could have that back again. Karl 2009-11-06T03:24:14Z Karl comment-17356 2009-11-06T03:16:26Z 2009-11-06T03:16:26Z A lot of the current problems stem from the partial closure of the County's mental health crisis center. I'll pass along a rumor I heard. I got it second-hand, but my source got it from a couple of doctors who run the mental health system in Sac. The County has already decided to re-open the crisis center, but they are waiting for a while so that they don't look like complete fools for closing it down in the first place. This won't solve every problem, of course, but at least when people are dumped they are dumped at the crisis center, not the streets. Karl 2009-11-06T03:16:26Z advocate comment-17346 2009-11-06T00:37:43Z 2009-11-06T00:37:43Z No. WE don't have the money. But the 1% of the population that owns more wealth than the other 95% combined does. Prior to WWII, the wealthiest of our population were in the 90% tax brackets AFTER deductions and they still lived very very luxuriously. Corporations were also taxed at much higher rates but still raked in the profits. It was that tax money that built our dams, bridges, roads and other infrastructure (even paid for services to the mentally ill) and were major contributors to what the country became in those days and has fallen down greatly under conservatives' self-centered polices of greed and gluttony. Those high tax rates were gradually reduced to what is it now, about 36% and conservatives who have that wealth and those that they are able to dupe into feeling sorry for them now scream that they may have to pay two or three percent more when the Bush tax breaks run out. You are right liberals can't have their cake and eat it too because the top wealthy conservatives will snatch the cake away and gorge on it themselves and are doing it now. Your enemies, Jim, are not the liberals. You seem to be deluded into thinking the top wealthy 1% care about you. Forget it, they have already thrown you under the bus, but you don't know it. But when the wheels run over you, your mindset will still be blaming the liberals. advocate 2009-11-06T00:37:43Z The Parrhesiac comment-17342 2009-11-05T23:41:40Z 2009-11-05T23:41:40Z Ok geniuses... what are your proposals to stop this? Seth? William? Casey? LETS HEAR YOUR ALTERNATIVES. Where are they supposed to put these people? Who is going to pay to keep them in the hospital? Are you people saying that the government must come up with a solution? Put them in some sort of residential care? Who is going to pay for that..our state is broke. What is the difference between taking them to Loaves & Fishes or kicking them out the front door? If we didn't have to pay billions of dollars each year to take care of illegal aliens maybe we would have enough money for mental health care and other after care. Maybe we should reduce the health benefits to public employees so we can provide more services to the poor. YOU LIBERALS CANNOT HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO! At some point liberal imbeciles must realize that we don't have enough money to institute their socialist utopia. The Parrhesiac 2009-11-05T23:41:40Z William Burg comment-17325 2009-11-05T21:20:18Z 2009-11-05T21:20:18Z Yes, they do--Placer County's standard "homeless program" for adults is a one-way ride to Loaves & Fishes. Many regional hospitals discharge to the street--and some take the extra step of a "free ride" to L&F to ensure that the still-sick patient can't just walk back in the door. William Burg 2009-11-05T21:20:18Z Sherrie Tyler comment-17264 2009-11-05T02:21:24Z 2009-11-05T02:21:24Z I actually read the Los Angeles Times article written by Richard Winton on May 07, 2008 where Southern California hospitals were still practicing "patient dumping" on skid row. This man possibly both schizophrenic and bipolar was cast aside from a Costa Mesa hospital and left on skid row. This article also referenced an earlier article written in 2006 where a 63 year old woman was "dumped" off by a taxi wandering around on skid row wearing her hospital gown. So sad. Sherrie Tyler 2009-11-05T02:21:24Z Seth Sandronsky comment-17260 2009-11-05T00:37:33Z 2009-11-05T00:37:33Z The LA Times reported on this hospital practice in Southern CA three years ago: http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/la-me-dumping16nov16,0,2734413.story Seth Sandronsky 2009-11-05T00:37:33Z Casey Kirk comment-17247 2009-11-04T22:32:25Z 2009-11-04T22:32:25Z Call me naive, but they actually do this? That is sick and heartbreaking. Casey Kirk 2009-11-04T22:32:25Z William Burg comment-17244 2009-11-04T21:54:37Z 2009-11-04T21:54:37Z I have heard too many horror stories of hospitals engaging in this practice--in some cases, too sick to walk, so they dropped them off at Loaves & Fishes in a wheelchair. William Burg 2009-11-04T21:54:37Z katcamp comment-16567 2009-10-28T13:14:10Z 2009-10-28T13:14:10Z This article articulates the real issues as they truly are. Awareness is the only way things will begin to change. We must stop the cuts for mental health. It is not their fault the government does not know how to manage money. Cut the government salaries and the surplus of employees and give back to our mentally ill so they can function in our society. We have an obligation to take care of our own. Keep these articles in the forefront and continue the fight. katcamp 2009-10-28T13:14:10Z Holly Ilfeld comment-15930 2009-10-21T06:01:05Z 2009-10-21T06:01:05Z Cuts for mental health have been going on for many years. Having worked in community mental health from 1974 to the early 90's, I have seen every program I worked in cut. But just look at the beautiful art work in front of the beautiful state mental health building downtown! Bravo to you for standing up and fighting. Holly Ilfeld 2009-10-21T06:01:05Z The Parrhesiac comment-15917 2009-10-21T02:07:20Z 2009-10-21T02:07:20Z I want to drink with you Waldorfandstatler..that is some funny sh.. The Parrhesiac 2009-10-21T02:07:20Z waldorfandstatler comment-15891 2009-10-20T18:23:24Z 2009-10-20T18:23:24Z I was watching Return of the Jedi the other night and got to thinking, what if instead of ewoks, George Lucas went ahead and made Endor a plantful of wookies like originally planned? How awesome would that be? Instead of cute little critters, bandoleer strapped warriors would do battle with the evil forces of the Empire. Instead of employing midgets and runaway toddlers, ex NBA players would have a place to find work, outside of politics! I think that any animal would be a great substitute too, giant roosters would be great - huge cocks attacking stormstroopers, or hey how about ducks? Imagine the fun of seeing a small cameo by howard the duck on the forest moon! Bottom line : The Governator holds the ring of power and deserves EVERY bit of blame thrown at him. I don't care that the democrat majority exists.. They like.. don't count or something. Arnold = booooo! Rebels = WHOOOOOOOO! waldorfandstatler 2009-10-20T18:23:24Z Pinelli comment-15854 2009-10-20T00:39:30Z 2009-10-20T00:39:30Z The true measure of a community is gauged by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens. In America, we profess to be "Christian" and "enlightened" but the methods we use are barbaric and fascist. The "power" in this country is reserved for the priveleged, and corporations deserve welfare but people do not. Since mental illness continues to be taboo, it is easy to scapegoat the ill; they won't fight back. These policies illustrate another way we continue to blame the victims--whether they are sick, poor or undereducated. I am sure Herr Blackhead (literal translation) has no problem blue-lining in extra cigars and profits for his cronies, but to assist the needy--NEVER. Pinelli 2009-10-20T00:39:30Z loopymcgee comment-9652 2009-06-19T14:41:02Z 2009-06-19T14:41:02Z You have to try their Walnut Shrimp... My Mother wont go to any other Chinese Restaurant... Wonderful is the only one... loopymcgee 2009-06-19T14:41:02Z shawn eldredge comment-9465 2009-06-14T19:34:24Z 2009-06-14T19:34:24Z ok , reading posts from days all of which i have opinons about and rarely would i advocate for a restaraunt from outside the grid ... I have to comment on this one However, wonderful chinese has been my favorite for 20 years in my past life i live in citrus heights just around the corner from WC... their generals chicken is to die for !!! btw they used to have special fortune cookies too ( for adults only) congrats to all who have just discovered this gem shawn eldredge 2009-06-14T19:34:24Z Lexie Tiongson comment-9395 2009-06-12T18:12:39Z 2009-06-12T18:12:39Z I absolutely love Wonderful Chinese Restaurant. I'm glad that people are starting to know about it a lot more. Lexie Tiongson 2009-06-12T18:12:39Z katcamp comment-9390 2009-06-12T17:34:28Z 2009-06-12T17:34:28Z Great review. Maybe we will try this soon. katcamp 2009-06-12T17:34:28Z