Residents asking council to shift mental health calls to a medical response
Niagara Regional Council is facing pressure to shift mental health calls from police to a medical response.
Over fifty residents have signed a letter to councilors ahead of tonight's meeting.
Residents are asking council to consider having organizations like EMS's MHART (Mental Health and Addictions Response Team) sent out on mental health calls.
This is part of a campaign launched by the Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association.
Executive committee member Saleh Waziruddin says MHART already takes 911 calls and has reduced hospital visits by five percent in their first year.
The letter is available here.

Niagara Falls Preps for Ribfest
Hospital Deficits Getting Worse: Report
Man Dies in Lincoln House Fire
Potential Niagara Parks Strike
Man Charged with Possessing Child Porn
Be Wary of Spring Time Scams: NRP
Man Killed Walking Along QEW
Senior Charged with Hate Speech Crime