When someone in Adams County experiences a mental health crisis, the first people on the scene are usually law enforcement officers. Deputies and police officers respond with professionalism and care, but the truth is they are being asked to handle situations that go far beyond traditional policing. A crying parent calling for help with a suicidal child, a family frightened by a loved one’s psychotic episode, or a homeless neighbor struggling with untreated mental illness—these are emergencies that require more than handcuffs and a holding cell.
This is why Adams County needs a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT). A CIT bridges the gap between law enforcement and social services, pairing trained officers with mental health professionals who can step in when a call involves a crisis rooted in mental illness, trauma, or substance use. Instead of defaulting to jail—where treatment is limited and staff are doing everything they can without the resources they truly need—a CIT can de-escalate situations on the spot and connect people to the services they require.
Right now, too many people in our county cycle in and out of the jail because they never receive the right kind of help. Correction officers in Adams County do everything they can with the resources available, but they should not be expected to act as mental health counselors, medical professionals, and social workers all at once. A CIT would help relieve that pressure, ensuring that law enforcement and jail staff can focus on safety and security, while trained professionals address mental health and social service needs.
Other counties in Ohio have already proven the value of CITs. Officers report feeling more confident on crisis calls, jail overcrowding decreases, and individuals in crisis are far more likely to end up in treatment instead of behind bars. Adams County deserves the same.
Adding a CIT would not only improve outcomes for people in crisis but also build trust between law enforcement and the community. Families could feel safer reaching out for help, knowing their loved one will be met with compassion and expertise instead of a jail cell. Officers would have the support they need to do their jobs effectively, and taxpayers would see long-term savings as costly jail stays decline.
We can no longer afford to treat every crisis as a crime. By creating a Crisis Intervention Team in Adams County, we can ensure that people get the right help at the right time, reduce the burden on our justice system, and make our community safer and stronger for everyone.
Diana Mycoskie is a small business owner in Adams County and the founder of Pivot 180 Coalition, a nonprofit dedicated to breaking cycles and building futures.
