Editor’s Note: If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or depression, help is available. In the United States, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.
JAMESTOWN — The Jamestown Police Department helped an individual who was having a mental health crisis on Thursday morning, April 30, according to Maj. Justin Blinsky, assistant chief of police.
The Jamestown Police Department responded to a residence along Thomas Avenue Northeast at about 8:30 a.m. to a report of a person trying to cause self-harm, Blinsky said. He said the caller was a family member of the individual who had made threats of self-harm. He said the caller also reported that the individual was in possession of knives.
When officers arrived on scene, they verified that nobody else was inside the residence and spoke with the individual having a mental health crisis in the front yard of the residence, Blinsky said. He said the person refused to put the knives down and retreated inside the residence.
Blinsky said trained negotiators from the James Valley Special Operations Team were requested to assist in communicating with the individual.
Blinsky said the individual voluntarily exited the residence unarmed and was treated for injuries. The individual was transported to Jamestown Regional Medical Center for further treatment and evaluation.
Blinsky said a two-block radius of Thomas Avenue Northeast was blocked off for a short period of time to allow first responders to safely handle the incident. He said there was not threat to the public at any time.
The Jamestown Area Ambulance and the Jamestown Fire Department also assisted at the scene.
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