Portland Police Use Sandwich to Stop Suicide Attempt

Dec. 30, 2013
Officers were able to stop suicidal man from jumping from a parking garage by offering him a sandwich.

Police officers in Portland, Ore. were able to stop suicidal man from jumping from a parking garage on Saturday by offering him a sandwich.

Officers from the Central Precinct responded to reports of a naked man, possibly armed with a knife, spotted on top of the structure at Southwest 15th Avenue and Southwest Yamhill Street around 11:10 a.m., according to a Portland Police Bureau news release.

Police say the man, who appeared to be experiencing a behavioral health crisis, was sitting on the ledge of the structure, cutting himself with a knife and threatening to jump off.

An Enhanced Crisis Intervention Team officer began negotiating with the man, who informed officers that he was hungry.

Officers were able to obtain a sandwich from the nearby Hotel Deluxe, and used it to coerce the man away from the ledge.

Once away from the ledge, officers were able to approach him and take him into custody without incident.

The man was evaluated medically at an area hospital and criminal charges may be forthcoming related to vandalism to vehicles in the parking garage and other crimes.

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