PORTLAND, Oregon — Portland police shut down the eastbound lanes of Interstate 84 for about eight hours on Friday after receiving a report of a man in a mental health crisis.
The man was standing on the Northeast 12th Avenue overpass preparing to jump into the traffic below, according to police.
Officers from the Enhanced Crisis Intervention Team were called to help talk with the man to get him down safely. They said they do this to avoid a dangerous outcome.
“We recognize this was a significant impact on anyone trying to drive on I-84 during the course of that event but we think it was worth it because no one was hurt no one was killed and everyone went home,” Portland Police Bureau Sgt. Kevin Allen said.
The ECIT was able to bring the man down around 9:30 p.m.
Help is available for community members struggling from a mental health crisis and/or suicidal thoughts. The Multnomah County Mental Health Call Center is available 24 hours a day at 503-988-4888.
Lines for Life is also available 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).