Public safety is more than patrol cars, jail cells, and courtrooms. It requires building strong partnerships with health care systems that can prevent crises before they escalate, offer timely intervention, and invest in treatment.

Every day, my deputies encounter individuals in acute mental health or behavioral crises. They may be disoriented, overwhelmed, or in deep distress. It can trigger dangerous situations for the men and women of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. Even a minor infraction can lead to detention, and while we have mental health professionals in our jails, a jail cell is not ideal for treatment.

That’s why our partnership with Valleywise Health is so important. As Maricopa County’s only public teaching hospital and a crucial safety-net system, Valleywise conducts

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