The Daily Skimm

The Story

Let's talk about the police response to mental health calls.

Tell me more.

This past year has exacerbated calls for an end to police brutality and for the key changes that are necessary to make that happen. But two cases are showing police failing to appropriately respond to mental health calls – and the urgent need for reforms:

Angelo Quinto's...In December, the 30-year-old Navy veteran died in Antioch, CA, after police allegedly knelt on his back for about five minutes. Quinto's family said he had been suffering a mental health crisis when they called officers for help. But they claim police forcefully and physically restrained him without trying to understand his mental state. He started bleeding, lost consciousness, and was transferred to a local hospital where he died three days later. Quinto's cause of death hasn't been released, and the Contra Costa County DA is investigating. Last week, Quinto's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit. Authorities have yet to respond.

Daniel Prude's...In March, the 41-year-old Black man died in Rochester, NY, after police restrained him, covered his head with a "spit hood," and pinned him to the ground – one officer put his knee to his back. Prude's family had also said he was suffering a mental health crisis when they called officers for help. He lost consciousness and was sent to the hospital where he was taken off life support seven days later. His death was ruled a homicide. Police allegedly tried to delay the release of body cam footage. And documents showed officials tried to make Prude look like a suspect. Seven officers were suspended. The city's police chief, deputy chief, and entire command staff resigned. But yesterday, a grand jury decided not to indict any of the officers involved. A Prude family lawyer commented on the decision, saying "the system failed." Meanwhile, Rochester PD said the officers involved will remain on leave while an internal investigation takes place.

I'm speechless.

Unfortunately, these cases aren't rare. The Treatment Advocacy Center reported that people with mental illness were 16 times more likely to be killed during an encounter with police. And according to one study, nearly a quarter of Americans shot and killed by police since 2015 had a history of mental illness. That's more than 1,400 people. Officers are usually the first ones to respond to these calls – and may lack the proper training.

Is anything being done?

Last year, then-President Trump signed an executive order that encouraged police departments to work with social workers and mental health professionals through "co-responder programs." And on the campaign trail, then-candidate Joe Biden called for more federal funding to go toward mental health services. Eugene, OR, and San Francisco, CA, already have those programs in place. And New York City will follow in the spring. But there are calls for broader reforms, including defunding the police and allocating that money to social services like mental health resources.

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Again and again, calls for help have turned deadly at the hands of police officers. And they are rarely held accountable for their actions. Advocates are calling for additional training. But only time will tell if elected officials respond to the urgent need for reform.

And Also...This

Whose case is also in the news...

Ahmaud Arbery's. Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of the 25-year-old Black man's killing, which fueled racial justice protests. Arbery was jogging in a suburban neighborhood in Georgia when he was chased and shot by a former police officer and his son. A third man recorded everything. All three white men have maintained that they did nothing wrong and were charged with felony murder. Now, Arbery's mom, Wanda Cooper-Jones, filed a civil lawsuit, accusing the three men, law enforcement, and local prosecutors of reportedly "willfully and maliciously" conspiring to kill her son. And said "racial bias, animus, discrimination" led to a violation of Arbery's civil rights. Cooper's seeking $1 million in damages. An attorney for one of the men said the new lawsuit will still show he "acted within the law."

What's still top of mind…

The Capitol riots. Yesterday, a joint Senate hearing focused on the security failures that led up to the Jan 6 attack. The violent siege left five people dead, democracy wounded, and lots of questions about how such an attack could happen. Law enforcement officials blamed a breakdown in communication and not receiving the right intel (read: FBI bulletin warning about an attack). Senators heard testimony from former Capitol Police chief Steven Sund, who said rioters "came prepared for war." And Capt. Carneysha Mendoza shared the dangers officers faced, saying she hasn't healed from chemical burns she suffered from "military-grade gas." The Senate plans to hold more hearings on the riots next week.

...Oh and speaking of the Senate, yesterday Linda Thomas-Greenfield got its approval to serve as US ambassador to the UN – becoming the second Black woman to hold the role.

Where there are developments…

Texas. Yesterday, five board members who oversaw Texas's power grid resigned. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas had been facing backlash after a winter storm left millions of Texans without power for days during some of the state's coldest temperatures. The council ordered rolling blackouts to try and preserve electricity throughout the state. But it led to skyrocketing electricity prices, and some customers were charged thousands of dollars for basics like heat. Now, the board members are acknowledging "the pain and suffering of Texans." Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) welcomed the resignations.

What's seeing some paramount changes…

TV show production. Yesterday, a new report revealed that more women and people of color are saying 'lights, camera, action.' The 2019-2020 season (hi, quarantine binge-watching) saw a 5% increase in the number of directors of color. And the number of female directors grew 3% over the same time period and has more than doubled since the 2014-2015 season. But it's not all good reviews, Latino filmmakers and women of color are still vastly underrepresented in an industry that's dominated by white men. Let's flip the script.

Who people are talking about...

Tiger Woods. Yesterday, the golf star suffered serious injuries after a rollover car crash near Los Angeles. Woods had to be extricated from the wreckage and was taken to the hospital for surgery to his right leg and ankle. A statement on Woods' Twitter account said he was "awake, responsive, and recovering" after surgery.

While debate grows over le school lunch meat...

Others are melting over buttergate.

Thing to Know

Metabolic Age

That's how old your metabolism acts. It's based on how many calories your body burns at rest. Ideally, your metabolic age is equal to or lower than your chronological (read: actual) age.

If you're tired all the time or feel puffy on the reg, your metabolism might be pumping the brakes ahead of schedule. Building lean muscle, getting plenty of sleep, and eating a balanced diet can get it back on track. So can Sakara Life's Metabolism Super Powder. It helps rev digestion, eliminate bloat, curb cravings, and boost energy. Add to cart now to get 20% off.

Buying Time

Time is a precious resource. And if you're like us, you're spending more of it cooking these days. That's why we've partnered with Walmart+ to share a few ways you can get it done quicker.

Go for bulk. One recipe, multiple meals. Now, that's efficiency.
Let tools do some of the work for you. We'd like to thank our sous chef, the pressure cooker.
Sign up for Walmart+. It gets you free delivery from your local store when you spend over $35, making grocery shopping faster and contact-free. Plus free shipping from Walmart.com. No minimum spend required.† Start your free 15-day trial.

†Excludes freight & Marketplace items.

Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life...

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PS: Like what you see here? Make sure you're signed up to get more picks like these in your inbox every Monday. We've got exclusive shopping recs, streaming ideas, life hacks, and more.

*PS: This is a sponsored post.

Skimm’rs

We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community.

Read all about it...Megan Z (CA). She's a journalist and launched Talking Through Walls, a digital publication featuring stories about how people all over the world have adapted to life during the pandemic. She finds interview subjects and writes the stories all on her own.

Mic drop...Ashley B (MI). She hosts a podcast with her partner who is blind. They discuss how blind and visually impaired people consume visual media in an effort to battle disability stigmas and raise awareness. Tune in.

(Some) Birthdays...Sarah Greig (NY), Darcey Still (VA), Roger Ward (FL), Lindsay Walton (AR), Dana Pehrson (CA), Kaitlynn Baksa (MI), Chelsee Dalessandro (PA), Riley Corboy (IL), Kelly O'Connor (MI), Courtney Moser (DE), Cheri Moore (NJ), Shannon Smith (NY), Lauren Cardinet (CA), Jessica King (MA), Wendy Brooks (AZ)

*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.

This week on our career podcast "Skimm'd from the Couch": The Information's Jessica Lessin shares advice on everything from learning on the job to turning an internship into a full-time role.

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Skimm’d by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Mariza Smajlaj, Clem Robineau, and Julie Shain