How Police Compassion Helped a Woman Begin Recovery

A Journey Rooted in Compassion

For years, George Montanaro searched for his daughter Chellsey, who was caught in the grip of addiction and homelessness. His breakthrough came when the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office informed him she had been spotted in Port Orchard. That’s when Sgt. Donna Main stepped in with a message that changed everything:

“I know your daughter. I know where she is.”

Main had connected with Chellsey over a year earlier through her work with unhoused individuals in Port Orchard. Chellsey and a friend had come from Everett and quickly fell into addiction and housing instability. Main frequently encountered her during law enforcement calls and made it a point to offer help each time.

“I always tried to find a way to get her back home or help her get clean and sober,” Main said. “It’s not on our time—we just have to keep offering support.”

Rebuilding the Basics

When Montanaro reunited with Chellsey near a Fred Meyer gas station, he was overwhelmed.

“It broke my heart. The way she looked, the way she smelled — it just brought tears to my eyes,” he said.

Montanaro and his wife took her shopping for essentials, including Narcan, which Chellsey had recently used to save a friend’s life. But the path to treatment was blocked by missing basics like identification and insurance. Once again, Main stepped up, helping Chellsey secure her health insurance card and even driving her to get a state ID.

“She did a lot of this on her own time,” Montanaro noted.

Finding a Way Back

Despite everyone’s efforts, Chellsey disappeared again. Montanaro later found her listed on a jail roster in Snohomish County.

“Sometimes, jail can provide a moment of clarity for individuals like Chellsey,” Main explained. “It gives them a chance to clear their minds and think about their future.”

After serving 30 days, Chellsey committed to intensive treatment. She then progressed to outpatient care and now attends five recovery meetings a week.

“I’ve never seen her so dedicated,” her father said. “She’s even playing softball with her sponsor’s team. She’s never played sports in her life.”

Montanaro credits Main’s unwavering support.

“I believe her sobriety is because of her,” he said. “You usually see police trying to ‘clean up the streets,’ but these officers are trying to get people sober.”

A Department Built on Relationship-Driven Policing

The Port Orchard Police Department is part of CLEAR (Community Law Enforcement Aligning in Response to Substance Use), a local initiative requiring all new officers to receive training in substance use and addiction. Officers often purchase supplies from their own pockets to offer clothing, food, or essentials to those in need.

“We don’t go out and harass them,” Main said. “We want them to get the resources they need to become contributing members of our community.”

Her approach, she says, is rooted in empathy:

“We build relationships. That’s how we can truly help.”

Main often took her team to search for Chellsey.

“We would always reach out to her and others on the street, letting them know that when they were ready, we were here to help.”

The Starfish Story

To explain her motivation, Main shared the parable of a young girl throwing stranded starfish back into the ocean after a storm. When told she couldn't possibly make a difference, the girl replied:

“I made a difference in this one.”

“This story emphasizes that you can always try to make a difference, even if it’s just for one person,” Main said. “I kept thinking about Chellsey and how we just need to keep trying.”

Want More Stories Like This?

Visit the Acts of Kindness section on our website. Officers seeking encouragement and prayer can explore Chaplain Services for support.

References

• Story and Image Source: Police officer’s compassion helps local woman overcome struggles | Kitsap Daily News (by Britney Fletcher-West)

FAQs

1. What is the CLEAR initiative?

CLEAR (Community Law Enforcement Aligning in Response to Substance Use) is a collaborative program that trains officers to respond to substance use with a focus on treatment, support, and recovery instead of punishment. It equips law enforcement with tools to compassionately assist individuals struggling with addiction.

2. How can police help people with substance use disorder?

Police can provide meaningful support through trauma-informed approaches, referrals to services, and consistent engagement. Officers like Sgt. Main demonstrate how compassion, patience, and persistence can help guide individuals toward recovery.

3. What is trauma-informed policing?

Trauma-informed policing is a method in which officers recognize the impact of trauma on behavior and respond with empathy and understanding. This approach builds trust, encourages cooperation, and supports long-term recovery and safety.