Photo: pedestrian bridge
AZUSA – In the first place, special thanks to the Azusa PD for helping to prevent a suicide attempt.
The report of a suicidal male threatening to jump off the Rockvale Avenue pedestrian bridge drew an immediate PD response near 10:45 PM on July 17th.
Arriving officers found an anonymous Azusa male (27) perched precariously on the outside of the bridge’s southside security cage. Certainly he appeared ready to jump onto the 210 freeway below.
Multi-agency action from Glendora PD and the California Highway Patrol assisted Azusa PD. They shut the freeway down. CHP and Azusa officers shut down all eastbound lanes between the Citrus Ave. and Sunflower Ave. exits. Glendora Police helped to shut down all westbound lanes.
Reportedly, the man dressed in black ordered officers to back off. Azusa PD communicated with him and stayed the course. Nearly 25 minutes later, the rapport gained by communication and negotiation convinced the man to voluntarily climb down.
Officers announced his subsequent transport for treatment at a local hospital. Shortly thereafter, they reopened the freeway. Thankfully, the APD’s assistance successfully helped prevent a suicide.
Azusa PD announced, “We want to remind everyone that if you are having suicidal thoughts or feelings and you need help, there are services available to assist you. If you or someone you know needs to speak to someone, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).”
If You See Something, Say Something: To provide information regarding this case or subjects involved in this case, please call the Azusa Police Department at (626) 812-3200.
