Coordinated Mental Wellness Effort Coaxes Man from Ledge

On December 3, 2020, at approximately 7:15 A.M., the Santa Barbara Police Department received several 911 calls about a man that was on the opposite side of the fencing at the La Cumbre / Highway 101 northbound overcrossing. Citizens reported the male subject appeared distraught and might jump to the freeway below.

Several Officers arrived on scene and observed a 55-year-old male, hanging over the side of the overcrossing, just above the 101 Freeway with traffic streaming below.  The male was gripping the fence by his fingertips and made statements of self-harm. The northbound lanes of the freeway were temporarily closed by Santa Barbara Police Officers with the assistance of the California Highway Patrol.

One Officer started a rapport with the visibly distraught subject; That Officer was able to convince the subject to crawl to the north side of the overcrossing where Officers pulled him to safety. Consequently, in an effort to preserve and value the sanctity of life, SBPD’s co-response unit responded to this call to assist.  The SBPD co-response team consists of an officer who has extensive training in Crisis Intervention Training and de-escalation who is partnered with an experienced clinician from Behavioral Wellness. 

The subject was subsequently transported to Cottage Hospital for evaluation and treatment.

The Santa Barbara Police Department and Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness care about your mental wellbeing, especially during the stress of COVID-19.  If you or someone you care about is experiencing an emergency, call 9-1-1. The 24/7 Behavioral Wellness Access Line can be reached by calling 888-868-1649 to access a counselor or mobile crisis resources. Calling the Access Line is free and available 24/7.