Lafayette issued the following on Oct. 30
The Weekly Roundup, October 30, 2020
Mayor's Statement on Vandalism at Lafayette Home
On Tuesday, October 27, 2020, the Lafayette Police Department responded to a report of vandalism in an area of the city adjacent to Lafayette Circle. The suspect(s) had spray-painted a swastika and the word "Trump" on the garage of a home.
“There is no place for hate in Lafayette,” said Mayor Mike Anderson. “This is an inclusive and diverse city where everyone is welcome. The spray-painting of a swastika, a symbol of oppression, genocide, and xenophobia, on an individual’s home will not be tolerated,” said Mayor Anderson. “Lafayette stands together in the face of any act involving prejudice or racism; this act will not be overlooked and will be vigorously prosecuted,” the Mayor added.
The Lafayette Police Department is actively investigating this crime and all potential aspects of it, including as a possible hate crime. Lafayette Police take all types of acts that could be bias- or hate-related seriously and will investigate thoroughly. Lafayette Police have contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the investigation is ongoing. The Lafayette Police Department is asking anyone with additional information regarding this case to contact detectives at (925) 283-3680 or (925) 299-3234, or to email Sergeant T. Rossberg at tross@so.cccounty.us or to email 94549tip@gmail.com.
Lafayette Joins Contra Costa Cities in Community Crisis Response
Working in close partnership with cities across the county, Contra Costa Health Services is launching a unique and comprehensive review of existing services to develop a vision for future crisis response that connects the most appropriate resources where and when they are needed.
About one in five adults in Contra Costa County are struggling with behavioral health issues. A complex and decentralized system of intervention and treatment programs can mean those suffering from acute mental illness don’t get the care they need when they need it. Calling 911 can feel like the only option a family or caregiver has when behavior escalates beyond what they can manage. But police have limited options.
There are between 10,000 and 11,000 involuntary psychiatric holds, or 5150s, in our county each year. A 5150 is a legal action that allows for someone to be placed in a secure inpatient facility for their own safety during a mental health emergency. By law, only the police and designated health providers have the authority to place a 5150 hold on a person. A 5150 hold is not a criminal charge, yet police are called to assess and, when warranted, transport the person for emergency psychiatric care. If the situation can’t be de-escalated or a crime is involved, these individuals may go to jail.
In collaboration with Contra Costa cities, including the City of Lafayette, through the Contra Costa Public Managers Association, community-based organizations, and interested residents, CCHS is launching an intensive evaluation of current programs and existing needs to identify areas for improvement.
- A multidisciplinary, representative, and diverse team of community stakeholders, service providers, and staff will develop a vision for the future of crisis response.
- A multi-day workshop to assess the current state and identify possible short- and long-term actions will take place Nov. 9-20, 2020.
- Participants, consisting of front line staff including those working in crisis response, police and dispatch, as well as clinicians and persons with lived experiences, will spend about 50 hours over the course of two weeks in November observing, analyzing, and interviewing subject matter experts about the current state.
- The participants will use that learning to develop a vision for the future and identify areas for improvement.
- The public is invited to attend a report-out on the findings of this process on Nov. 20, 2020. CCHS will announce the next steps in the process at that time.
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