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Sprankle's tragedy proves that gun control is unlikely to protect Americans from avoidable mental health crises. Only removing barriers to timely psychiatric treatment, improving access to mental hospitals, and instituting assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) programs can address Americans' mental health needs and enhance community safety. See the ABC video about Sprankle below.
Was shoot-to-kill an appropriate response by police? Would Sprankle have been temporarily disabled by Taser? Should police be equipped with guns loaded with fast-acting tranquilizers for circumstances such as this? Could Sprankle have been taken into custody by specially trained police officers? Homicides by police involve mentally ill victims in at least 50% of the cases, according to Treatment Advocacy Center - "Justifiable" Homicides by Law Enforcement Officers
http://www.tacreports.org/justifiable-homicides
Kenneth Sprankle was the fourth person shot to death by St. Pete PD this year, according to an ABC report.
"This will happen again and again and again until we find enough places where people can take their neighbors and relatives that may not need to be hospitalized," St. Pete City Councilman Karl Nurse said.
Councilman Nurse is not unlike police officers this writer polled, 100% of whom agreed that mentally ill people do not belong in prisons and jails.
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References re Kenneth Sprankle:
ABC
http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_south_pinellas/st_petersburg/st-pete-police-officer-involved-fatal-shootings---4-out-of-6-suspects-with-mental-health-issues
Tampa Bay Times
http://goo.gl/QQDrRT
ABC
http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_south_pinellas/st_petersburg/st-pete-police-officer-involved-fatal-shootings---4-out-of-6-suspects-with-mental-health-issues
Tampa Bay Times
http://goo.gl/QQDrRT
http://www.care2.com/c2c/group/aimi
Wrongful Death of Larry Neal
http://WrongfulDeathofLarryNeal.com
Dog Justice for Mentally Ill
http://DogJusticeforMentallyIll.blogspot.com
Paragraphs 1 and 2 repeated:
ST. PETERSBURG — Kenneth Robert Sprankle was convinced he would find a cure in the Florida sun. He moved here several months ago from Pennsylvania and loved the beaches. But, as he'd done for years, he struggled to manage his mental health. The end came Monday, when the 27-year-old bipolar schizophrenic smoked some spice and began chasing people downtown with an ax before being shot and killed by police. (Tampa Bay Times)
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Sprankle's tragedy proves that gun control is unlikely to protect Americans from avoidable mental health crises. Only removing barriers to timely psychiatric treatment, improving access to mental hospitals, and instituting assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) programs can address Americans' mental health needs and enhance community safety. See the ABC video about Sprankle below.
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This article contains two photos, one video, and six links. Unfortunately, advocacy for mentally ill persons is censored; therefore contents to some articles are listed. It would negatively impact prison investors to decriminalize mental illness and treat people's psychiatric conditions in hospitals or community care programs instead of awaiting an opportunity (crime) in order to incarcerate them. In fact, advocating to decriminalize mental illness has made me America's most censored person. If you find the links, video, or photos have suffered tampering, please comment below or email me at MaryLovesJustice@gmail.com .
DOG JUSTICE NEEDED FOR AMERICA'S MENTALLY ILL
3 comments:
I had an encounter with Kenneth, if anyone cares to hear about it. I would like to be able to share my story with his family. I was someone who, on one day, I gave him a helping hand with some food and money. I was shocked for many reason when I saw this story. I have a son his same age, so maybe that is why this story has caught my attention so much. If there is a friend or a family member who would like me to share...I'd be happy to. It's a rather odd story. May he rest in peace.
Us maels, you will not find a more caring audience for your story than you have here at Dog Justice for Mentally Ill. I promise to also try to reach his family to read it. Please share the story as a comment to his article "Death by Police - Kenneth Sprankle, St. Pete." Or you can email me at MaryLovesJustice@gmail.com or call 678.531.0262. If I receive your phone call or email, I will respond within 24 hours. Unfortunately, my mail and phone messages are often attacked, possibly by prison investors who regard our advocacy as a threat to profits.
We care about Kenneth and all the acute mental patients who are often victims of homelessness, prison and death. We feel that the public would care,too, and work tirelessly to inform everyone that there are safe, less expensive alternatives than prison, and humane options that respect mentally ill people's right to life and liberty.
Blessings to you. Thanks for commenting.
the assisted living facilities for mentally disabled is the best place for mentally ill people.
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