Portland, OR. – Official Release: The man police were assisting on the Fremont Bridge has come to the other side of the railing and is safe. Officers worked with the man to address his concerns and developed a plan for him to come to where it was safe. The man will be taken to an area hospital for evaluation.
The Fremont Bridge is back open in both directions.
Help is available for community members struggling from a mental health crisis and/or suicidal thoughts. Suicide is preventable.
988 is the new way to connect with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline where you will find confidential support for anyone who is in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress.
It is also a number to call if you are a friend or loved one of someone in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress.
You are not alone.
1 in 5 US Adults experience mental illness each year and suicide is the second leading cause of death among people ages 10 to 34.
Information about the Portland Police Bureau’s Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) and additional resources can be found by visiting https://www.portland.gov/police/divisions/behavioral-health-unit
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.
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