Sarnia's police chief says his officers are dealing with more mental-health-related calls as a result of the pandemic.
Norm Hansen told Sue Storr on CHOK (103.9 FM, 1070 AM) Friday morning that COVID restrictions, requirements and worries are taking a toll.
"We've had a fairly busy time just recently," said Hansen. "What we are noticing is there's more stress-related calls where somebody may even barricade themselves and I think it's exacerbated by COVID. People are getting more tense and more stressed, we're getting more of those types of calls."
Chief Hansen said he hasn't got exact numbers but even if the volume is not up, sometimes the calls are more serious.
He adds drug and addiction issues are also on the rise.
"The drug issue is increasing, I think, as far as addictions and that fuels crime. People ask me all the time, do you see crime going up with unemployment? Your average person who simply gets laid off is not going to turn to bank robbery. Sometimes we'll see an increase in fraud-related charges because people are desperate for money but by and large, it doesn't increase that much," he said.
Last weekend, Sarnia police answered 255 calls including 15 welfare and wellbeing checks and 26 domestic and family disputes.
Lambton Public Health has agency links and phone numbers to help those struggling with mental health issues.
-With files from Sue Storr
https://soundcloud.com/blackburnradio-sarnia/covid-19-sarnia-police-chief-norm-hansen-oct-2-2020
