BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- Just what can be done when individuals appear to be a danger to others or themselves?

That was a topic of conversation during the Sept. 18 village board meeting as residents raised concerns of individuals who "appeared to be a danger to themselves and others.

Angela Mossow, a village resident, commented that videos have circulated online that showed individuals who appeared to be heavily intoxicated or under the influence of illicit substances.

On another occasion, Ring camera footage from a homeowner showed an individual walking on the sidewalk while scratching their back with an ax.

Mossow said the same individual has also been observed walking down the street with just a towel around their waste. On other occasions they were also seen "twitching on the ground in broad daylight," she said.

"Concerned citizens want to know what the village's position is on this matter. People are in fear. And these are just a few examples," she asked.

She said multiple houses on Beach Street have also had multiple individuals enter unwanted in the middle of the day, presumably in an effort to find drugs.

"Concerned citizens would like to know what we're missing, what is the PD's criteria for the issue of pickup orders. What is recommended for us?" Mossow asked.

Chief of Police Jason Olson addressed the concerns, saying officers always respond when a call is made but action cannot be taken on every call.  

"They're aware of the individual on Liberty Ave. As a matter of fact, I think his family said they are trying very hard (to get him help). We have no control over pickup orders, those have to be issued by psychologists or psychiatrists," he said.

Due to the legal requirements set forth by the state, Olson said his department is unable to transport an individual on a pickup order unless it falls under specific criteria.

"We have no control over that. We have very little control over when we can take somebody into custody, obviously, if they are committing a crime or they utter anything that states that they're a danger to themselves or others," he said.

But "odd behavior" does not always rise to the level of police intervention, he said.

"Although we all probably feel that sometimes we should, we can only work within the law," he said.

Olson said he and his officers have been "very, very frustrated over the years" as they attempt to address similar situations but commented that they "will continue to work within the law and will continue to do everything we can with the staffing that we have."

Trustee Shelyn Peets also weighed in on the rising number of mental health calls and the criteria necessary for police to transport.

"I can attest to what the chef says about issuing a pickup order...the police can pick up an individual who threatens to kill themselves or kill somebody else. But as far as a pickup order, I know the general public thinks that if somebody is a danger to themselves, there's criteria that they are a danger to themselves," Peets said.

Though citizens may be concerned, Peets said individuals can be mentally ill in the community, especially if they are not a danger to themselves or others.

If a problem persists, Peets said there are resources available.

"So if they're concerned about that, they can always contact Reach Out at 315-265-2422," she said.

Peets said in that case a citizen can voice concerns and ask for an evaluation if they want someone checked on.

She went on further, saying that it does not need to be a criminal matter to seek help for someone who may be suffering from a mental illness in the community.

Olson said residents should always call the police if there is a concern for anyone's safety.

He continued, saying it is also important for individuals to provide evidence, statements, names and addresses so police are able to adequately investigate a case.

Without the public's support, he said the job of the responding officers is exponentially more difficult.

"If they (the caller or witness) have evidence that they have an issue, they have to call us. The follow up with that (situation), this is another issue. When you call us and we need your assistance to give us a deposition or give us your name or talk to us when we show up to your home and not just not answer the door. That's pretty important too for us to be able to do our job. We cannot support any type of arrest without evidence, and sometimes that evidence is in the form of a witness statement," he said.

Olson said if citizens are unwilling to cooperate with police, it leaves them with limited options to address issues.

"I know people are nervous and scared, but at some point they have to take control of their community. They have to do their part as well," Olson said.