Christie Should Implement Mental Health Treatment Law Now
(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver (D-Essex/Passaic) released the following statement Thursday on Gov. Chris Christie’s announcement of a task force:
“I’m glad to see the governor finally paying attention to this issue after New Jersey saw its highest crime rate increase since 2008. That increase came amid the loss of 1,426 municipal police officers, a 6 percent decrease that followed the governor’s state aid cuts.
“But we do not need more talk. We need action.
“When it comes to mental health services, for instance, the governor should find a way to implement the outpatient involuntary mental health treatment law I sponsored. Day after day, our streets are less safe because of this failure. The governor can fix this now, without excuses.
“The Assembly will soon be advancing a wide-ranging and responsible package touching upon gun and ammunition safety, mental health care, school security, gun trafficking and other concerns.
“The Assembly will show leadership.”