Mental health situations challenge police
Police are unfortunately called to a wide range of mental health situations that can quickly escalate.
The Acton Bridge police log is a popular way to look through a community’s window and into the missteps, fears, and anxieties of our visitors and residents. Incidents range from occasionally serious to mostly mundane and sometimes humorous, with calls to emergency line 911 for a snake in the yard, a goose in the driveway, parked cars hiding from their owners, and snowplows making too much noise. The Acton Police Department appears consistently respectful and quick to find a solution.
A March Acton Bridge log item presented a look into Acton Police Department “gray area” policy decision-making. The item stated: “Police checked on a person near the entrance of Acton-Carlisle High School who had a blanket over his head. The person refused to identify himself but did not appear to be causing any issues.”
Police are unfortunately called to a wide range of mental health situations that can quickly escalate. We have seen national videos of life-changing police policy moments, and even Massachusetts is not immune. In January 2025, a Cambridge student seen with a knife and partially clothed ended up being shot and killed even though non-lethal police methods were tried.
We thank Acton police for checking on the uncooperative person with a blanket and deciding to monitor remotely. The Acton Police Department web page shows a first responder’s “emergency notification form” that can identify special needs and/or medical conditions that emergency responders should be aware of. An email to Chief Thomas Mulcahy and Capt. Brian Goldman advised that they also have the services of a trained mental health clinician and a number of other assistance and treatment resources that can be utilized by the community. In the case of this person, police did not have to take further action.
Eugene Clerkin
Walden Terrace
