RIPPLE

**RIPPLE COMMENT** According to Global News (established source), an ex-girlfriend of Colin Hatcher testified in court about learning six weeks prior that he had told his mother, Kathleen, that he planned to kill her. This revelation left the ex-girlfriend "scared". The causal chain is as follows: The knowledge that Colin had expressed a desire to harm his mother likely caused significant distress and anxiety for the ex-girlfriend. This emotional impact may have led to difficulties in maintaining a healthy relationship with Colin, potentially exacerbating existing mental health issues or creating new ones. In the long term, this could contribute to a broader societal issue of inadequate support for individuals who have experienced trauma or are at risk of harming others. The domains affected include: * Mental Health: The ex-girlfriend's emotional state and potential long-term mental health consequences * Child Welfare: The case highlights concerns about the ability of family members to identify and address warning signs of violent behavior * Foster Care System Overview: The incident may raise questions about how foster care systems can better support at-risk youth and families The evidence type is an event report. There are uncertainties surrounding this causal chain, including: * If Colin's statement had been addressed or intervened upon by authorities or family members, would the outcome have been different? * This could lead to a broader discussion on the effectiveness of current interventions for individuals who express violent intentions * Depending on the specifics of the case and the foster care system in place at the time, this incident may be an isolated event or part of a larger pattern.

**RIPPLE Comment** According to Vancouver Sun (recognized source), residents in Port Coquitlam are expressing concern after a resident under care has prompted 50 police visits since September, resulting in property damage and screaming incidents. The direct cause of this event is the inadequate support system for individuals with mental health issues or trauma. The intermediate step is the lack of effective community-based services that can provide timely intervention and support to prevent such situations from escalating. This could lead to long-term effects on the individual's well-being, as well as strain on local law enforcement resources. This news event affects the following civic domains: * Child Welfare * Mental Health Services * Community Policing The evidence type is a news report based on community observations and police data. It is uncertain how this situation will be addressed in the long term, but it highlights the need for more effective support systems and community-based services to prevent similar incidents. If the current foster care system's emphasis on deinstitutionalization and community living is to be successful, then adequate resources must be allocated to ensure that individuals with complex needs receive the necessary support.