Service calls related to mental health putting strain on Fargo police officers

(Fargo, ND) -- Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibolski says last year in the city there were at least 2,537 calls for service related purely to mental health issues.  

"15 percent (of those calls) involve 16 individuals in our community, so we know that we have a core group with significant chronic issues that are coming to our attention on a regular basis," said Zibolski. 

Zibolski says these calls on average last more than one hour and always require a response of more than one officer.