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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW SOU seeking donations for locker room ... Public speakers rally behind climate plan ... Alarm Box: The time to get Ready! and Set! to Go! is now ... SOU seeking donations for locker room ... Public speakers rally behind climate plan ... Alarm Box: The time to get Ready! and Set! to Go! is now ... OUR VIEW Our View: A common thread Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Jul. 20, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Jul. 20, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Three incidents, separated by weeks, all involving members of Ashland's homeless community, may have generated extra attention in light of recent events elsewhere revolving around race and police tactics. But the local incidents are really about a different but equally important issue: mental illness and the need for more resources to help those who suffer from it. The first incident, caught on video in May, involved Ashland police officers arresting a homeless man who interfered with their attempt to cite another homeless man for an ordinance violation. The second two incidents, in June, in which black members of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival company were the targets of racist hate speech, likely were perpetrated by a transient individual known to police and known for racist outbursts. Both events were unfortunate, certainly for the OSF artists who were the victims of hateful words and implied threats, and also for the man arrested earlier for his disorderly behavior. But the arrest was not a case of police brutality, and the hateful words were not evidence of endemic racism in Ashland. Both were examples of untreated mental illness among a group of people who have no resources and live on the street. Not all homeless people are mentally ill, but some are, and/or have substance abuse problems that affect their behavior. Ashland police, who must deal with these people, are beginning a partnership with mental health specialists in an attempt to meet the need. It's not a complete solution, but it's a start. DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Jul. 20, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501