Part 9/13:
Experts emphasize that a significant portion of these incidents involve individuals suffering from untreated mental illness or addiction. The closures of mental health institutions in recent decades, coupled with policies favoring community-based care without adequate support systems, have contributed to a rise in homelessness, incarceration, and emergencies stemming from untreated conditions.
In Schwarz’s case, his bizarre claims, erratic behavior, and the evidence of drug use suggest he was not mentally stable at the time of the fire. Nevertheless, under current policies, he was housed in a manner that did not require mental health screening, creating a hazardous environment for himself and others.