LOS ANGELES PORT POLICE LEADS EFFORT TO PREVENT SUICIDE ATTEMPT ON VINCENT THOMAS BRIDGE
SAN PEDRO, Calif. — June 26, 2021 — At 5:27 a.m. today, officers with the Los Angeles Port Police, along with Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and California Highway Patrol (CHP), responded to a 9-1-1 call regarding a suicidal individual who had climbed through barriers on the Vincent Thomas Bridge, 200 feet above the Port of Los Angeles Main Channel.
Port Police immediately reported to the scene. Port Police Officer Ryan Martinez began encouraging the individual to not let go of the bridge. The officer was able to grasp the individual, preventing a fatal fall. Officer Martinez was quickly joined by other responding officers, and together, the officers creatively used a police K-9 leash to prevent a fall of the distressed individual, who was suspended by the rescuing officers for more than 10 minutes before being pulled to safety.
The individual, whose identity has not been released, was transported for evaluation to an area medical facility. Traffic on the bridge was affected for approximately 45 minutes, with no impact to Port operations.
In recent years, Port Police and CHP have worked with the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans), the organization responsible for managing the bridge, to increase barriers and post suicide prevention resource signage in all directions. Port Police and LAPD Crisis Negotiators work regularly with mental health professionals in seeking help for community members in crisis. Pedestrian and bicycle travel is not permitted on the bridge.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. That number is available to callers 24 hours/day, in both English and Spanish.