York News-Times Reprint
Written by Victoria Ayotta
Residents in the Arbor Heights area of York were evacuated early Sunday morning after a person with a gun was reported to be experiencing a mental health crisis, York police said.
Police made a welfare check to the house at 5:07 a.m. after a call to the Nebraska Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. A person who had a firearm was reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis and having suicidal thoughts.
“Officers encountered an individual who was uncooperative and unwilling to communicate,” Capt. Russell Coffey said in a news release. Because of the potential risk to public safety, nearby residents were temporarily displaced while officers secured the area.
“Through the efforts of the YPD crisis negotiator, communication was eventually established, and the individual voluntarily agreed to cooperate with law enforcement and receive mental health assistance,” Coffey said. “The individual was subsequently placed in emergency protective custody and transported to a mental health facility for further evaluation and care.”
Residents were able to run to their homes once the person was in custody.
“Situations involving individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, particularly when firearms are involved, are unpredictable and require patience, professionalism and sound judgment,” Coffey said. The “outcome is what we continually strive for: a peaceful resolution that protects the individual in crisis, our officers and the community.”
