Homeless and mental illness: role of police and shelters...
By: Alese Underwood
Updated: January 8, 2013
Walking through the doors of a homeless shelter, you will hear heart breaking stories.
Ted Penn has worked at Shreveport's Mother Stewart House for years, and throughout those years he's seen his share of people with mental illness...he says it's never easy.
Reports from the National Alliance to End Homelessness indicate that 45 percent of homeless people have a mental health problem and 25 percent suffer from a serious mental illness.
As difficult as it is for those trying to help in shelters, it's difficult for police.
"Historically we can see that there has been violent behavior. But we train for that. Ultimately what we do and how we handle it is on a case by case basis," Sgt. Bill Goodin said.
The Mother Stewart House:
1248 Sprague Street Shreveport, LA 71101
