Evelyne Tropper said mental-health inpatient services are much needed and have consistently helped her daughter manage her 15-year battle with mental illness.

Plattsburgh City Police Chief Desmond Racicot and State Police Sgt. Robert Mesick said the units are a great resource and asset for law enforcement and the community.

Mesick said that just between the Malone, Chazy and Plattsburgh State Police barracks, authorities have been involved with 367 calls that involved mental illnesses and often provide initial transports to the hospital for care.

Racicot said a closure would be an unbelievable burden on the community.

"This would be a crisis situation for us," he said. "We have to keep this mental-health unit open. It's imperative."

Both Mesick and Racicot said a closure could lead to more suicides, mental-illness related calls, possibly arrests, and would ultimately place a heavier burden on the prison system, where many residents suffering from mental illnesses could find themselves without adequate inpatient care.

On Tuesday, hospital representatives said they are continuing to work with state officials in an effort to resolve the ongoing financial and staffing concerns and have maintained there are no immediate plans to close the unit.

avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com