A group advocating for mental health patients has written to the Multnomah County sheriff, asking that officers check their guns when entering Portland’s psychiatric hospital.
The Unity Center for Behavioral Health opened in Portland recently to provide immediate care for people in crisis.
The center prohibits guns and wants officers to store them in lockboxes when delivering people to the facility.
Disability Rights Oregon attorney Sarah Radcliffe said Unity staff are trained to deal with people in crisis using therapeutic tools.
“Guns in a hospital environment actually make patients and staff less safe because there will be a reliance on guns instead of safer tools and de-escalation techniques that clinical staff would use,” she said.
Lt. Chad Gaidos with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office said the Unity Center doesn’t have the security to deal with people in custody.
Portland Police also said officers won’t give up their firearms without knowing security measures are in place.
Copyright 2017 Oregon Public Broadcasting
