The Region - News from July 19, 1985

A one-year experimental program to see whether a social worker trained in mental health techniques can reduce crime by monitoring the behavior of emotionally disturbed people was inaugurated by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Van Nuys Division, and officials said similar programs will begin at three other divisions in the next few months. Police Cmdr. Jim Jones, who is in overall charge of the program, said the idea is to refer disturbed people who have been arrested for minor violations to a social worker for examination and recommendations rather than place them behhnd bars automatically.