Evansville, IN – Evansville Police Department Parks Officers connected a man living on the streets with a behavioral health crisis team after finding him sleeping under the Franklin Street Bridge earlier this week.
The Parks Officers were patrolling the Greenway as part of their routine patrols of Evansville’s parks and trail areas when they came across the man under the bridge.
Officers stopped to speak with him and learned that he had been living on the streets off and on while struggling with addiction.
Rather than simply moving on, officers offered to connect the man with assistance, and he agreed to receive help.
Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare’s Crisis Team responded to the scene and spoke with the man alongside the officers. He ultimately left with the crisis team to receive additional assistance.
EPD said its Parks Officers routinely patrol areas throughout the city that may not always be highly visible, helping monitor parks and trails while maintaining a visible police presence for people using those spaces.
The department said the encounter demonstrated how routine patrols can create opportunities for officers to connect people in need with available services.
EPD also thanked its Parks Unit and Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare for their partnership in helping the man receive assistance.
The department said the incident was an example of how simply being present in the community can lead to someone getting the help they need.
