The situation in blue states raises serious concerns about handling mentally ill criminals. Incidents involving violent behavior and sexual misconduct are increasingly becoming commonplace. A recent case in Portland exemplifies the severity of the problem. Joel Thomas Faith, 39, was arrested on charges of third-degree sexual abuse and harassment. Witnesses reported that he approached a woman outside a market, groped her, and fled the scene, which is shocking behavior by any standard.
Faith’s appearance added to the unsettling nature of the incident. Wearing a dress with a bloody beard, he hardly fit the mold of an innocent bystander. The fact that he was apprehended near a Kentucky Fried Chicken 30 minutes later only compounds the bizarre nature of the situation. Court documents reveal that this wasn’t Faith’s first run-in with the law. He had a warrant out for his arrest related to a stalking protective order violation from May 2023. He had reportedly threatened individuals, including one woman who was simply getting her mail.
This kind of behavior poses a significant threat to the public. Yet, what this case underscores is a troubling trend in how society treats individuals like Faith. In past decades, society would have been more proactive in addressing mental health issues. Such actions would have led to commitment for treatment rather than merely slapping a label on them as “stunning and brave.” Today, those who should face serious repercussions seem to evade meaningful accountability. Consequently, they cycle through the legal system with little effect on their disturbing behaviors.
The notion of compassion in criminal justice often appears misplaced. Blue states exhibit a pattern of extending leniency to those with mental health issues, yet the outcomes speak for themselves. Consider the tragic stabbing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on public transport in Charlotte, North Carolina. DeCarlos Brown Jr., 34, the assailant, had a laundry list of prior charges and a documented history of schizophrenia. He was part of an early release program during COVID, designed to ease prison overcrowding. Instead of reducing risk, these programs may have inadvertently endangered lives.
The mental health transformation that began in the 1960s aimed to help individuals live fulfilling lives outside asylums. However, the reality today suggests that we have overestimated the effectiveness of outpatient care. Rather than witnessing improvement in community safety and mental health, society now faces the challenge of navigating life alongside those severely impacted by mental illness. Individuals like Faith and Brown demonstrate that serious mental health conditions demand serious interventions.
It is imperative to reconsider the approach to managing these issues. Mental illness cannot be brushed aside in the name of compassion. Public safety must be prioritized over second chances that often result in heightened risks for everyone involved. The need for thorough psychiatric treatment and, when necessary, inpatient care remains essential. Society must strike a balance between compassion and justice. Ignoring the reality of these circumstances only puts lives at risk, including those of innocent citizens.
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