What can I do about this please read?

Question

On my street there is a young lad who clearly has some mental health issues. He stands in the street shouting things like "we are all going to h**l" at the top of his voice even though no one os there. He also shouts racial comments and screams at the top of his lungs even though no one is there. He is out in his front garden all night shouting, chasing cats and breaking things. He also continuously knocks on his own window really hard. I know he sees a councilor but I really think he needs more help.

I and other neighbours have had to ring the police many many times over the last year, and nothing seems to be done. For example last night I was in on my own and I could hear him out on the street chanting "your not going to haven were all going to h**l" and "theres nothing good around here" he isnt directing it at anyone I have seen him lie this many times. Later on he started pacing up and down the street and seemed to be getting more and more aggressive, so I called the police. About half an hour later they turned up and found him on the street, they put him in the back of the van and came to speak to me. I told them how he was behaving and I also told them I didn't want the lad to know I had phoned the police because I am really scared of him. Then the police officer said, because we didn't witness the behaviour ourselves theres nothing we can do because he's acting alright now. Even though 4 neighbours were willing to make a statment. Then another police officer opened the van and let him back out and he could see me talking to an officer even though I had also stated on the phone that I don't wish to be identifyed because I have 2 young children and I am genuinley scared he is gonna do something really bad. The police are aware of his history, he has been sectioned and arrested for chasing with a hammer because he knocked at his door! Could the police really not do anything? Or can't they be bothered with the paper work? I have tried phoning Adult Services and the local Mental health team but there not interested unless I give them my details but I'm not prepared to put my family at risk. Does he really have to hurt someone before we get the protection we need and for him to get the help he needs?

Answer 1

Why do you think they call it the criminal justice system??The criminals are in charge of it and they take care of there own. That officer didn't have to witness his actions that is a load of c**p and a excuse for non fulfillment of his duty.He has to answer a complaint and check wittiness and write a report. The reason they don't arrest him they don't know how to deal with him and it cost money to put him on ice.Check on nuisance laws and file on and that and then if you are afraid of him get a restraining order to keep him a safe distance from you or your home

Answer 2

Why do people still feel like the police can solve everything? Time and time again people work on the idea that if its not on fire, ring the police. Dont get me wrong, if theres an immediate threat to a person or property the call them straight away but this problem lies with social services and the NHS. It is not an offence to suffer with mental health problems and whilst the police are often forced to deal with these people they do not solve the problem by locking them in a cell for a few hours.

Instead speak to social services and demand that they do something. They have a legal obligation to protect both him and you so join forces with other scared neighbours and voice it officially by serving the relevant information to them in a way that they can not deny having had sight of it. If required use your MP to add weight.

Once they have the information and then fail to act on it if something happens they will be held liable, are open to be sued and will lose their jobs.

Answer 3

There really is no point arresting this male. The CPS would be likely to refuse his case and have it filed as not being in the public interest to prosecute him. The real problem lies with him not getting the correct help from the NHS. You cannot do anything other than keep reporting him to the social services as a neighbour nuisance. They will then put pressure on his family to have him sectioned (again). If they don't section him, he would at least qualify as an in patient.

You answered you own question when you said that your not prepared to provide any details to anyone......No wonder no one is interested.

Its no good saying no one will help and then not provide basic details or help when requested. You need to protect yourself by doing the right thing, unfortunately in your case, simply calling people is not enough. It looks like your going to have to put pen to paper. Your statement about the neighbours being willing to provide statements against this lad make me sad, you would rather a person with mental health issues be dealt with as a criminal (that's what police do) rather than have him get the help he needs from the health service.

Answer 4

Have you considered approaching your MP or ward councillor to take this forward to Social Services on your behalf if you are concerned about giving them your details?

In any case, Social Services shouldn't tell the person who has made a report if you explain the circumstances.

The other thing to say is that adults can't be forced to accept mental health services unless they are doing something which presents an immediate risk to themselves or someone else.

Answer 5

Suppose he telephoned the police and said you kept banging on his windows?  You see it cuts both ways.

You could try filming his activities, this would at least provide something someone could work on.  The local council should have a 24 hour public nuisance response team, in practice to be taken seriously he would have to be keeping people, including children, awake at night.  They may install recording equipment, may not.

Answer 6

funny how a young man in his garden screams we are all going to h**l and he is called mad and the police are called, yet every Sunday a guy in church does it and no-one bats an eye.

its strange you feel you and your kids are in danger yet you wont go on record coz you say your family will be at risk, well i thought you said you felt they was at risk so what difference will it make.

if he is not breaking the law what can the police do arrest him on your say so.

if he is making noise get on to your local councillor let him deal with it

Answer 7

Sad to say about the mental health Laws and the Involuntary Treatment Issues of past.

We use to be able to send a person for observation about the issue of Mental Illness.(Involuntary Treatment) but; due to some abuses over the years (One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, Jack Nicholson, 1975), we have dealt with these people, as a part of society, instead of incarceration, for a plan of treatment.

I am sure that the person you have as the town cry er, has a case worker, someplace, that needs to be notified, that their patient or charge, is not taking their medication, is being or becoming a nuance, or a possible problem waiting to happen?

Answer 8

First off, it must be difficult to live with someone like that in your neighborhood.  But do understand there is nothing that law enforcement can do unless he is doing something that violates the law or endangers himself or others.  It's a tough situation but we can't go around locking up people simply because they aren't all together in the head.  All you can really do is call the police when he's out making noise in the middle of the night keeping you or other neighbors awake.  Call when he's walking up and down the block and he damages anyones property.  Call if he steps onto your property, have him trespassed.   This isn't a situation that can be fixed overnight but maybe in time after repetitive calls he may leave on his own.  If you are THAT afraid of this man (even if it's simply because of mental status) get a restraining order on him.

Also remember if you choose to file charges on this man for something it is his constitutional right to face his accuser in court.

I wouldn't worry about passing on your information to police, health care workers, etc

Answer 9

It's really going to depend on your jurisdiction.

My neighbour has mental health issues too, and it's been difficult to get the police to a) admit this and b) do anything about it.

To be honest I can't see how passing on your details so they can contact you later will put your family at risk. I think they just need to make sure you're not a crank caller picking on someone but are a genuine caller. I really don't see any risk there, especially if you ask to remain anonymous.

However, try the front of your phone book and just ask for general advice about what the law is where you are.  The police were adamant they couldn't do refer a person for scheduling under the Mental Health Act, but 20 phone calls later I established they could refer someone to a hospital emergency department, who could refer to the psychiatric ward, who can schedule/commit someone if they are a real danger to themselves or to others.

The key to finding out info is to ask *general* questions and advice about the law. Ask whether the police are required to have your name before they can take a person to the hospital. Then call up your local police and tell them that your neighbour is an immanent danger, tell them what the law is and they won't be able to challenge you or ask your details.  

Best of luck.

Answer 10

Thanks to the American media for closing the institutions that dealt with people like this example. Now they too can roam without regular treatment. Now they can even choose to refuse treatment. It is up to us to adjust. We are the ones a fault. We must pay for our past transgressions into their lives.

Now, the only alternative will be for him to eventually make his way to jail, then prison. What an alternative. These people do not belong bogging down an already over loaded criminal justice system. Let alone house with individuals that will take advantage of such persons.

Answer 11

I would book that guy and save a lot of people some trouble, put him in a mental institution and be done with the d**n thing. Forget that!

Answer 12

sorry but it is one of the amendments. he is not allowed to be legally incriminated unless it is witnessed by a legal authority. I know how you feel though. as a little kid i was horrified of anyone with anykind of physical handicap that changed their physical appearance. it sounds bad but i was 6 at the time.  

Answer 13

Can't someone be arrested for disturbance of peace? That's the only thing I can think of.

Answer 14

Well, said, carswoody.  This lad is clearly ill, not a criminal.  If you want to help him you have to stand up and be counted.  Get your "helpful" neighbours to do the same, contact Social Services and/or the mental health team..  Of course they won't be interested if you won't provide your details, it could be any troublemaker on the phone . . .

Answer 15

Wow this doesn't sound too good at all!!

I'm sorry your going through this and you shouldn't have to be!! If this was a rowdy teenager surely he would have had an ASBO slapped against him by now?!!?

I would contact the police again and tell them how concerned you are, and if after that they aren't willing to do anything threaten to take it higher and make an official complaint against them.

Have you tried capturing the lad on camera or anything so you can show the police your not over exaggerating like i assume they think you are.

This person clearly  needs help before he hurts himself and someone else, he sounds very very intimidating and i too would be worried. I think you should just keep on at the police and the other people you have contacted. Try ringing your local council too, maybe there is something, ANYTHING they can do too!!

If you were to contact the adult services again and they wanted your details, would you provide them if they could promise you that your  name wont be used in any way shape or form? if you explain to them your situation and how scared you are of this nutter then maybe they can help you out?

I really feel for you and I'm so sorry your having to go through this but DONT give up, he might have mental health issues but that doesn't mean he should terrify everyone else in the street!!

Good luck, i hope it works out for you x*x  

Answer 16

man, thats ****** up.