Benicia Police Prevent Man From Jumping Off Bridge

DATE & TIME:         October 31, 2013 1:00 p.m.

LOCATION:              Benicia-Martinez Bridge (southbound pedestrian lane)

INCIDENT TYPE:    Benicia Police Prevent Man From Jumping Off Bridge

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:

On October 31st at approximately 1:00 p.m., Benicia Police Officers responded to the southbound lanes of the Benicia Bridge regarding a male subject standing on the ledge and making threats that he was going to jump. The male subject was identified as a 21 year old Benicia resident.

As this incident unfolded, it was learned that the subject was despondent as a result of family and personal issues and had previously sent a text message to his mother stating he was at the Benicia Bridge and going to commit suicide.

His mother called 911 and Benicia Police Dispatcher dispatched Benicia Police Officers along with officers from the California Highway Patrol.

Although this area is considered jurisdiction of the California Highway Patrol, Benicia Police Officers were the first to arrive on scene and began immediate negotiations with the individual.

The first officer on scene, Mark Menesini, observed the subject walking southbound in the bicycle lane on the bridge. He observed this subject climb over the protective railing and stand on a small platform.

The subject was at a place on the bridge where he was over the rocky shoreline/water.

Officer Menesini immediately began speaking with the subject and was soon joined by Benicia Police Officer Jenna Cameron, who is a one of the Benicia Police Department’s specially trained Negotiators and a member of the Benicia Police Department Hostage Negotiations Team.

After approximately thirty minutes the officers were able to talk the subject off of the ledge and he was safely taken into protective custody on a 72 hour mental health evaluation and transported to the Solano County Mental Health for evaluation.

“Both of these officer’s demonstrated patience, compassion, and excellent communication skills which ultimately resulted in the subject changing his mind about taking his own life” said Lt. Frank Hartig.

This incident was resolved in a peaceful manner in which the subject and the First Responders were not injured. Traffic on I680 was not affected by this incident.