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Sarasota News Leader May 31, 2013 Page 12 ment aside and figure out how we're going to address those Paul's very familiar with." Referring to the CART Initiative, Sutton added that before it was launched, each of the agencies involved had its own programs. "When we put them together, we got results that we never saw individually." Sutton also pointed out that the type of position Barwin had proposed was one that would be "pointing people in the correct direction." "We don't have a lot more in the way of resources to assist with that," Patterson replied, which was why, she added, she was hoping the existing agencies already were working together. Capt. Paul Sutton attends a reception prior to his retirement from the Sarasota Police Department. Photo by Stan Zimmerman "And they are," Sutton told her. Still, he continued, "I think we need to take a more all-en- "We're not helping that individual as much compassing approach." as we could right now," Sutton said, "and the Police officers routinely meet people with neighborhood is suffering as a result of that." mental health issues who do not qualify for He added, "Because the problem is so wide commitment under the state's Baker Act, be- and so varied, you have to have a multi-agencause they do not appear suicidal or homi- cy, coordinated response, and that's what the cidal, Sutton pointed out. For the officers to Community Alliance has proven that they have the ability to call someone who can help could do with the CART Initiative. And given them direct the person to the proper agency the same chance, I think they may be able to for assistance would be very helpful, he said. do something with the homeless initiative as As an example, Sutton talked about a woman well." he had found on the street who was clothed in garbage bags and sitting in a wheelchair. "She BEST PRACTICES would defecate in a bag and attach it to the Commissioner Christine Robinson said she wheelchair," he continued. Although he felt wanted to make certain such an initiative she did not qualify for involuntary psychiatric would look for efficiencies. commitment under the Baker Act, he used it to get her off the street, he added. When she Sutton told her the Suncoast Partnership to was released a couple of days later, she went End Homelessness already has a Homeless back to living on the street, he noted, which Management Information System. "That helps prompted calls from residents about her sit- track services" as well as resources, he added. ting in front of their homes. The Partnership would be one of many vital