scary neighbor

[wnylib]

24. When mental institutions were shut down,

society did not follow up with outpatient mental health care, which could have prevented some cases from getying worse and dangerous.

In some areas, like mine, local hospitals have a psychiatric unit where people whose behavior is a threat to themselves and/or to others can be taken for observation and confinement for a limited time, usually up to a month. That is a temporary solution, though. There are still a few facilities around for long term confinement of people whose illness is socially dangerous, but confinement to them is difficult.

It's a rock and a hard place situation. In the past, it was too easy to confine people and abuse their civil rights. Now it is too difficult when it is necessary.