STORY UPDATE – Ken MacDonald of the New Glasgow Police said with a joint effort between police and mental health, Brett Rhodes was arrested under the Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act. The act allows police officers to arrest a person with mental illness who will not consent to a medical examination or doesn't have the capacity to consent.
MacDonald said Rhodes was arrested at approximately 11:45 a.m. without incident and was taken to Aberdeen Hospital.
MacDonald said was arrested because there was a risk to his safety with the severe weather warning for Pictou County for this evening and Wednesday and cooler nights New Glasgow has experienced as of late.
NEW GLASGOW – Police moved in around 11 a.m. Tuesday and removed homeless man Brett Rhodes from his location outside the Life Centre church on Marsh Street.
Rhodes was living in a tent near the back of the church. Prior to that, he had slept on the concrete barriers located in the church's parking lot. Rhodes, who suffers from a mental illness, had been living in America House, across the street from the church, but was kicked out due to his loud outbursts.
The homeless man spent about 65 days in the church parking lot. Rhodes has schizophrenia and his mother says he is off his medications.
Police at the scene refused to make further comment. More details are expected to follow shortly.
