Mental health group that responded to deadly Tipp Hill shooting has assisted SPD before

SYRACUSE N.Y. — Liberty Resources, a mental health facility in Syracuse, was on-site with Syracuse Police on Wednesday during the deadly police-involved shooting on Tipperary Hill that resulted in the death of Allison Lakie.

The partnership between Liberty Resources and SPD is part of an executive order signed by Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh in May. The order stated that an on-scene mobile crisis team would be available to assist SPD when they respond to mental health calls.

Liberty Resources' Vice President of Child and Family Services, Kortney Dale says the partnership benefits those who are suffering from mental health crises.

Her team is made up of certified clinicians who have both the skills and experience required to de-escalate situations when someone is in crisis.

The mobile crisis unit is thought of as the last line of defense.

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Their mission is to divert people from emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and in the worst cases – death.

The team’s first priority is helping the client through their crisis.

“We come to them when they are in crisis,” said Dale. “And we plan with them and for them alongside them and with their families and loved ones.”

Their second priority is to ensure that those suffering from mental health issues are receiving follow-up care.

“Are you connected somewhere,” questions Dale. “Are you connected to the mental health services that you need to be connected to, then we can bridge that gap for those folks.”

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Dale says the unit members pride themselves in being at the scene in under 15 minutes when they are called, and they always travel in pairs.

“The benefit of having that two-person team is that we are able to manage the technical, as well as maybe manage other family members who are around,” said Dale.

The crisis unit fields mental health calls every day.

Being on the scene allows the Syracuse Police Department to focus on other safety issues happening in the community.

“If we are able to intervene on those calls that are really a behavioral health or mental health crisis,” said Dale. “That is able to pull law enforcement out to do other things.”

Dale says that in some cases, the crisis unit can handle a call without SPD, and other times they need assistance.

She says the best part about their partnership is that they can determine what’s best for the client and plant for safety together.