HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-21-15, Naro, BearCat Mental Health, Public CommentDear City Commissioners:
Thank you for your dedication to the community and for the opportunity to voice opinions ahead
of your meeting tonight regarding the use of BearCat.
It is my opinion an armored vehicle is not a good choice to use when responding to a call from a
suicidal or any other mental illness concern call. The vehicle is intimidating, scary, loud, bright
and impersonal. Perfect for an army presence perhaps. It is my opinion other equipment could be
used when a caller, or someone calling on there behalf, is in crisis and scared. Arrival of this
equipment may in fact escalate the very problem the caller needs help with.
We have mental health care professionals in this community that could be a resource in this
dialog. Matt Kuntz, Executive Director at Nami Bozeman is a great resource on suicide.
info@namimt.org
Thank you,
JoAnne M. Naro
Bozeman
Phone: 406-595-6626