So there’s this lady named Susanna, who didn’t want to give her last name, posing for a picture in Roseville on March 24, 2025, taken by Miguel Gutierrez Jr. Seems like she’s got a story to tell, but let’s dive into something more pressing going on in California.
It looks like people are getting fed up with police handling mental health crises. Too many times, things go south, and the person in crisis ends up getting hurt by the cops. A federal court ruling has got the police all worried about getting sued. Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper is making some big changes in response. His deputies won’t be showing up to help unless a crime is happening or the person in crisis has already done something illegal or put someone in danger.
Susanna, a mom who got frustrated when no help came: “Who’s gonna help my family out in these situations? And not just my family, but others like us with kids who might be aggressive or even dangerous. Who’s gonna step in and stop them before it’s too late?”
Seems like some other police departments in California are taking notes and following suit. Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes, who’s also the president of the California State Sheriffs Association, thinks police shouldn’t be the ones dealing with mental health issues. He says, “We’re not in the profession of white coats coming out to take somebody to the hospital.”
But what does this mean for families with loved ones dealing with serious mental illness? And what about firefighters and social workers who rely on police for backup? CalMatters contributor Lee Romney is digging into this messy situation. Some police departments are deciding to hang back once they arrive on the scene. One mom in a tight spot had to hire a bounty hunter to get her son to the hospital when the cops backed off.
The good news is there are some other ways to handle these situations. But, as Lee found out, there will always be a need for well-trained law enforcement officers. Like when someone in crisis has a weapon or is just too volatile to handle. Or when people who need psychiatric care against their will are too out of it to agree to it.
Now, let’s switch gears a bit and talk about a screening happening in San Francisco. CalMatters and Evident are showing a documentary called Operation: Return to Sender. It’s all about a Border Patrol raid in Bakersfield. After the film, CalMatters’ Sergio Olmos and others are gonna chat about what they found out and how it affects immigration enforcement. Sounds pretty interesting, doesn’t it?
In other news, it looks like the Trump administration is cutting funding to help crime victims. That’s leaving some vulnerable Californians hanging, according to CalMatters’ Cayla Mihalovich. The Justice Department axed millions of dollars in grants that went to organizations helping victims of violent crimes. Criminal justice reform advocates say these services are crucial for public safety. But the Justice Department thinks otherwise, focusing more on law enforcement to combat violent crime and trafficking.
Over in California, salmon populations are in trouble. The state has had to shut down its commercial salmon fishing season for the third year straight. Alastair Bland explains how things used to be great for coastal towns like Bodega Bay when salmon runs were plentiful. But habitat loss and poor conditions in the ocean have pushed the species to the edge. People who rely on salmon fishing for a living are struggling to find other ways to make ends meet.
And that’s a wrap for today’s news. Remember, the world is a wild place, and it’s always changing. So hang on tight and stay informed. See you next time!
