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Identifying signals of mental health crisis in calls for police service

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  • Yang, Sue-Ming
  • Park, Sangjun
  • Lu, Yi-Fang
  • Gill, Charlotte E.

Abstract

This study explores patterns and features of mental health calls in a predominantly rural county in the United States. We found that mental health calls cluster in a very small number of street segments and these “hot spots” are relatively stable over time. Furthermore, using the Spatial Point Pattern Test and trajectory analysis, we identified a set of ‘signal calls’ that are not initially recorded by police as mental health-related but which are also highly clustered at hot spots of mental health calls. These signal calls could be used to help inform police agencies about possible risk factors for mental health crises in the community. We discuss the implications of the findings for policing and mental health practitioners.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang, Sue-Ming & Park, Sangjun & Lu, Yi-Fang & Gill, Charlotte E., 2025. "Identifying signals of mental health crisis in calls for police service," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcjust:v:97:y:2025:i:c:s0047235225000054
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102356
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lorna Ferguson, 2022. "Risk factors and missing persons: advancing an understanding of ‘risk’," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Joshua C. Hinkle & David Weisburd & Cody W. Telep & Kevin Petersen, 2020. "Problem‐oriented policing for reducing crime and disorder: An updated systematic review and meta‐analysis," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(2), June.
    3. Terance D. Miethe, 1995. "Fear and Withdrawal from Urban Life," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 539(1), pages 14-27, May.
    4. Rylan Simpson & Carlena Orosco, 2021. "Re-assessing measurement error in police calls for service: Classifications of events by dispatchers and officers," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(12), pages 1-19, December.
    5. Todd, Therese L. & Chauhan, Preeti, 2021. "Seattle Police Department and mental health crises: Arrest, emergency detention, and referral to services," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
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