GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Law enforcement and mental health officials in central Nebraska say the problem of people with mental health issues isn’t getting any better.

Grand Island Police Chief Steve Lamken said people get health care treatment if they can afford it, but many others haven’t problems that aren’t addressed.

Lamken says a large number of homeless people in the city suffer from some level of mental illness or chemical dependency.

Lamken says that since he became police chief 10 years ago, the number of homeless people in Grand Island has steadily grown.

Lamken says Nebraska’s associations of police chiefs, sheriffs and county attorneys have put together a working group to try to address the issue.