On the day my son's father was arrested on four felony charges, our entire world turned upside down. His actions were so alarming that schools were forced into lockdown, and he fired shots at a dispensary from which he had been dismissed. I grimly watched his descent, knowing something was terribly wrong. To protect our child, I took swift and decisive action, securing emergency custody.

Ten months later, after his release under California's Mental Health Diversion (MHD) program, I face an unimaginable fear. Not only is he seeking visitation and custody of our son—courts seem optimistic about his prospects. Meanwhile, my voice, as a mother deeply concerned for her child's safety, remains unheard. Accountability appears to evade him.

The Mental Health Diversion program, established as a means to provide treatment rather than punishment for individuals with mental health disorders, indeed serves a noble purpose. However, its execution must not compromise societal safety. This unfortunate incident underscores the urgency for reform. The program, as it stands, offers an unintended avenue for those like my son’s father to sidestep responsibility for their actions, perpetuating danger within our communities.

According to the Public Policy Institute of California, nearly one in six adults in the state experience some form of mental health-related issues. While advocating for necessary treatment, we must strike a balance that ensures public safety remains paramount.

We are calling for crucial reforms to the Mental Health Diversion program—ones that maintain effective treatment options while instituting safeguards that prioritize the safety of victims, families, and the general public. Potential solutions include rigorous review mechanisms before an individual's consideration for MHD, ongoing risk assessments, and mandatory protective measures for potential victims.

By signing this petition, you join a movement that demands necessary changes for a safer California, that upholds justice uncompromisingly, and that does not allow the well-intentioned focus on mental health treatment to overshadow the essential need for public safety. Let us stand together to urge our lawmakers to address this pressing issue for the sake of all Californians. Please sign and help us bring about these essential reforms.