So I dated a girl whose entire family were psychoanalysts. Three of them worked in public health in Seattle. Here's how it works:

1) Homeless person demonstrates that they are a threat to themselves

2) Homeless person is taken into custody (NOT arrested) where they are ruled for short term competency

3) Court reviews evidence to determine if there is enough to qualify the person for a 48 hour hold (in california it's 72 - the infamous 5150\)

4) Person is remanded to a hospital for observation, testing, and short term treatment

5) IF (big if) the person is judged to be a long-term threat to their own health, and IF (bigger if) said person can be convinced to receive treatment, THEN person becomes an inpatient at a public health hospital where they are treated for their condition and released when either they complete treatment, choose to discontinue treatment or fail to comply with treatment.

Cops don't take a shine to crazy people because they're unpredictable and often spit and bite and claw and throw poop and stuff. There was a guy who was one of my girlfriend's dad's patients who blocked off 2nd avenue for an hour with an f'ing sword. That doesn't mean they aren't getting them help, it just means they aren't being tender about it.

You did the right thing. You saved a life. That's not nothing.