Update: Person in Crisis Helped Off of St. John's Bridge (Photo)

May 16, 2021 11:12

On Sunday, May 16th at 7:42 a.m., officers from the North Precinct responded to a person in crisis call on the St. John's Bridge. North Precinct officers, with the assistance of officers from the Enhanced Crisis Intervention Team and in consultation with the Crisis Negotiation Team, were able to assist the person on the bridge in their moment of crisis. The person on the bridge came back to where they were safe. The bridge has been reopened to traffic.

As primary responders to crisis calls, all Portland Police Bureau officers receive basic Crisis Intervention Training as well as annual CIT refresher training. In addition, the Bureau has volunteer officers from a variety of patrol assignments on the Enhanced Crisis Intervention Team (ECIT). These officers will be the first responders dispatched by 9-1-1 to crisis calls that are determined to be related to an individual in crisis. ECIT officers receive additional training in order to identify risks during a behavioral crisis, utilize crisis communication techniques to help deescalate a person in crisis, and have knowledge of available community resources.

Help is available for community members struggling from a mental health crisis and/or suicidal thoughts. Suicide is preventable.

The Multnomah County Mental Health Call Center is available 24 hours a day at 503-988-4888.
If you or someone you know is in mental health crisis please visit Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare's Urgent Walk-In Clinic. The clinic is located at 4212 Southeast Division Street and is open from 7am to 10:30pm, 7 days a week. Services are free and available to individuals of all ages.

Lines for Life is also available 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Information about the Portland Police Bureau's Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) and additional resources can be found by visiting http://portlandoregon.gov/police/bhu

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On Sunday, May 16th at 7:42 a.m., officers from the North Precinct responded to a person in crisis call on the St. John's Bridge. Officers are currently speaking to the person and attempting to help them.

The St. John's Bridge will be closed in both directions until further notice.

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