BUCKHANNON, W.Va. (WBOY) — According to the American Psychological Association , one out of every five police calls involves a person dealing with a substance use or mental health crisis, and while law enforcement officers are trained to provide help in these situations, the badge can sometimes be a barrier.
“Law enforcement is just a singular approach,” Buckhannon Police Chief Matt Gregory said. “You certainly cannot arrest your way out of these types of issues.”
Six months ago, Gregory’s department added peer liaison Erica Bennett to its staff through a state-funded grant and a partnership with Charleston-based nonprofit First Choice Services .
“My story’s a little different from other people’s,” said Bennett. “I’ve been in and out of jails and institutions.”
Bennett has been in recovery for five years. The last time she was incarcerated, she was offered treatment through the Drug Court Program .
“That’s the biggest thing,” said Bennett. “People are afraid to ask for help for fear of judgment and that’s kind of where I come in.”
Why does fentanyl have such a hold on north central West Virginia? Each day, Bennett and her partner, Corporal Angel McCauley, walk a beat that’s off the beaten path, checking in on the city’s most vulnerable residents in encampments and known hang-outs.
“When I was solo, without Erica, seeing the badge, people immediately thought they were in trouble,” said McCauley. “So having someone who’s not necessarily in uniform benefits us a lot because it takes down some of those walls.”
A 12 News reporter rode along on a recent patrol through the city and quickly encountered a man Bennett and McCauley had last seen in the grip of an overdose.
“How’ve you been?” asked McCauley.
“I just got out of jail,” he replied.
The focus quickly shifted to helping point the man toward resources for permanent housing.
“You guys don’t have to come to the Buckhannon Police Department,” Bennett said to the man. “I can meet you out. I understand. I used to not feel comfortable there too.”
With each encounter, Bennett shares her phone number and email address and a reminder about resources for shelter and recovery services. Later on in the patrol, Bennett and McCauley took the reporter to a known encampment where unsheltered people were living.
“You know, you guys can call me if you need to go somewhere,” Bennett said to an appreciative woman who has been struggling with health issues.
In the program’s first six months, Bennett has guided a dozen people to substance abuse treatment, according to First Choice Services.
More stories about the fentanyl crisis “A female that I had helped get into to treatment, she walked up and thanked me for helping her,” said Bennett. “Told me she had a couple of months put together without substances at that point in time. That was a really proud moment for me.”
“I think having us together, not only does it show people that we’re doing more for the community,” said McCauley. “It kind of humanizes the badge and gives them the view that I’m out there to help as well.”
When asked if she likes the job, Bennett replied, “I do. I love it. It’s very rewarding.”
First Choice Services also has an embedded peer liaison working with the Wheeling Police Department and is in talks with other West Virginia departments about expanding the program.
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