Does anyone have any suggestions on how to handle a mentally ill person who makes daily false reports to law enforcement?

I can't seem to get any help from MHMR and I don't see a criminal prosecution as an option in light of competency issues. Thanks.

-Ty

How about simply ignoring them?

Civil commitment?

In a small community, such as CC where the person is well known, ignoring the report may be feasible -- depending upon the nature of the report. A certain caution may be proper, but dispatch may well be familiar with the person and recognize a call that would be out of the ordinary. As John suggested, civil commitment is an option, though the current standard (mental illness and either dangerousness to self, to others or the deterioration standard) is a little tougher than it might be if one bill is passed changing the 3rd standard to that oft used of being "gravely disabled." The option of reliance upon charges and jail - and a possible competency examination plus treatment to the tune of $38k per episode according to DSHS, exclusive of the bed days locally, gets a bit expensive. Many have said - only partially in jest -- that it would be cheaper to put the person in a Holiday Inn! We have few, or no, work camps - or for that matter -- locations for extended,i.e. long-term, treatment of the chronically mentally ill. Our problem in the city is that many of our frequent fliers actually seek confinement, e.g. to see the dentist, replace eye glasses, for comfort when it is cold, etc. etc. Consequently, what we think of as "sanction" arn't sanctions but reinforcers. A work program would be far the better!

Are there any family members to whom you could reach out to see if they would be able to help get this person into a residential facility (i.e. group home)? They may be able to limit access without endangering the person.

Good suggestion - just a "wonderment" - but in small counties without a county guardianship program, a family member who would be willing to serve as a guardian either under a limited or full guardianship, could assist in managing housing....and getting a guardianship in place is relatively simple.