FERNDALE, Wash. — Ferndale Police Department (FPD) officers were dispatched about 8am on Monday, March 28th, to the 2000 block of Main Street due to a report of an individual jumping into traffic.
According to police radio transmissions at the time, the first FPD personnel to arrive reported finding an “extremely agitated” individual standing in the road and yelling at passing vehicles.
Riley Sweeney, spokesperson for FPD, told Whatcom News via email, “When officers arrived, it appeared the subject was in a mental health crisis. The subject was not responsive to the initial contact by officers so traffic was blocked off in the area.”
FPD reportedly blocked westbound traffic on Main Street at 3rd Avenue.
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The situation traveled about a half-mile west on Main Street between the downtown blocks and Sterling Avenue and then returned to 3rd Avenue.
Sweeney said, “The officers on scene used de-escalation strategies (time, distance, and shielding) to slow the pace of the incident and gain voluntary cooperation.”
At some point, the individual started to approach a civilian bystander, but officers intervened and directed the subject away, according to Sweeney.
About 8:30am, the individual was seen sitting on a sidewalk bench at Main Street and 3rd Avenue talking with officers and Main Street was reopened to traffic.
Riley said, “Officers were eventually able to calm the subject enough for them to be released to a family member for mental health services.”
Great job de-escalating the situation. Thank you FPD for your service!!!💯
God bless our Ferndale Police.