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there were six cops, five cars with lights flashing, surrounding a man having a mental health episode at the orem smiths. i made my mom pulled over and film and was honestly shocked out how much they escalated a situation and dehumanized this man and his friend, both non violent
the man was scared and mostly compliment but the officers stood and talked aggressively which clearly upset him more. they eventually arrested him for public intoxication (he wasn’t drunk just schizophrenic according to his friend and my viewpoint) and took him away
afterward i spoke to johnny, his friend, and johnny said he tries to protect his friend and help him but it’s lonely and there’s no resources for mental health. his friend is harmless, just scared and unwell. he said police basically outlaw anyone who is “kinda strange”
he told me he didn’t years trying to get resources and a job but couldn’t with his disabilities and gave up. he’s been fined for open container laws because drinking is the only thing that helps his broken shoulder. he said cops routinely harass his friend but leave him alone
he told me he wants resources with less barriers and a way to call counselors to come visit his friend and help him. he wishes people respected his choice to live on the street instead of shelters that he says are unsafe (he’s small and shy) and mostly he wishes people were nice
he said that he is often turned away now at grocery stores for not having a mask and thinks they choose not to give him one because he’s homeless. and he said lots of resources were taken away because of covid
mostly he just wants police to leave his friend alone, for people to talk to him and give him company, and for resources to be easier to obtain and less paternalistic, he’s a person with opinions and knows his needs best
the video was pretty disturbing to film as someone with bouts of psychosis who knows how scared i feel around cops when unwell. im not uploading it because i respect the man’s privacy but i hope people are kinder to those on our streets, especially those who are mentally ill
johnny and his friend live just down the road from me, we’re neighbors. don’t call the cops on my neighbors. if someone is struggling, be a good neighbor and offer them help. ask how they’re doing. people are allowed to be mentally ill in public. stop calling cops!
