The Death of Dan Hammack

I am responding to the article in the Orange County section (Aug. 16) regarding the death of Dan Hammack. It disturbs me that it is stated in the article that this man, who is described as “crazy,” “not all there” and “sometimes bothered with bizarre behavior” who also “took off his clothes all the time” could not be brought in for psychiatric assessment. It is stated in the article that “we tried to get the police to take him somewhere but they couldn’t.”

It is apparent to me that this man met criteria for involuntary psychiatric treatment under the (state) Welfare and Institution Code 5150 because of probable psychiatric illness, which led him to be gravely disabled (unable to provide for his food, clothing, or shelter) by virtue of the fact that he had been taking off his clothes, acting “crazy and bizarre,” not providing himself with a place to live (other than the street) and not providing himself with food.

A person who has a psychiatric illness that leads him to be a danger to others, a danger to himself or gravely disabled can be brought in for psychiatric assessment and possible treatment, even if he objects.

In this gentleman’s case, I believe that the Santa Ana police were negligent in not applying Code 5150 to bring Mr. Hammack into a psychiatric facility for assessment and possible treatment. Although he did not have funds, he could have been brought to the Orange County Emergency Triage Service in Santa Ana.

Although homeless, Mr. Hammack might have improved with psychiatric treatment and might not have had to live on the streets. I hope that your readers will make note of this information in order to prevent tragedies like this from taking place again.

Dr. IRWIN I. ROSENFELD

President, Orange County Psychiatric Society