Historic Core BID and Streetplus Sponsor Gathering to Discuss Mental Illness
Blair Besten, Executive Director of the Historic Core Business Improvement District (HCBID), located in downtown Los Angeles, certainly understands the impact of mental illness in individuals on the streets and how it affects the environment in her District. Streetplus safety hospitality ambassadors have witnessed an increase in the number of individuals displaying symptoms of mental illness on the streets. There are so many aspects to this increasing issue and the HCBID decided to take action. The first step was to educate the various private security personnel assigned to protect property in the HCBID.
On April 28, 2016, The HCBID and Streetplus co-sponsored a gathering of private security personnel for the purpose of beginning a dialog on the issue of mental illness. Under Ms. Besten’s leadership, representatives from the Los Angeles Police Department, City of Los Angeles Mental Health Department, and the Los Angeles Police Department Mental Evaluation Unit presented approaches on how private security personnel can safely deal with individuals who may have mental illness issues or are unstable. Those attending the meeting left with a better understanding of the issue and how to approach those who may have a mental illness or are unstable.
The HCBID and Streetplus will continue to get the word out and take an active role in providing resources to those that are directly affected by this issue. A big thank you to the LAPD and the LAPD MEU and the City of Los Angeles Mental Health Department for seeing the value in this gathering and for supporting our efforts.
Blair Besten, Executive Director of the Historic Core Business Improvement District (HCBID), located in downtown Los Angeles, certainly understands the impact of mental illness in individuals on the streets and how it affects the environment in her District. Streetplus safety hospitality ambassadors have witnessed an increase in the number of individuals displaying symptoms of mental illness on the streets. There are so many aspects to this increasing issue and the HCBID decided to take action. The first step was to educate the various private security personnel assigned to protect property in the HCBID.
On April 28, 2016, The HCBID and Streetplus co-sponsored a gathering of private security personnel for the purpose of beginning a dialog on the issue of mental illness. Under Ms. Besten’s leadership, representatives from the Los Angeles Police Department, City of Los Angeles Mental Health Department, and the Los Angeles Police Department Mental Evaluation Unit presented approaches on how private security personnel on how to deal with individuals who may have mental illness issues or are unstable. Those attending the meeting left with a better understanding of the issue and how to approach those who may have a mental illness or are unstable.
The HCBID and Streetplus will continue to get the word out and take an active role in providing resources to those that are directly affected by this issue. A big thank you to the LAPD and the LAPD MEU and the City of Los Angeles Mental Health Department for seeing the value in this gathering and for supporting our efforts.