ANTIOCH, CA – Antioch police deployed a drone Sunday afternoon after a man with a knife, experiencing apparent mental distress was loose in the Hansen Park area.
“Residents in the Hansen Park area may have seen a lot of police activity,” the department said. “Officers were sent to a call of an individual armed with a knife experiencing mental distress.”
Upon the arrival of the first officers, the individual ran up a hill with the knife toward the park where children were playing.
“The entire APD dayshift responded, thankfully the next shift was already starting to secure the park and form a containment perimeter,” the department added. “Officer Kathain deployed his drone and located the individual still in possession of the knife on the hillside. Over the next hour, Officers Ewart, Milner and Amiri, along with Sergeant Rose, began a dialogue with him in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. We are glad to say the situation was safely resolved and he is now on his way to the hospital for emergency psychiatric intervention.”
The department noted their officers train regularly for these situations, including crisis intervention and resolution techniques.
“We have said this before, but we are so appreciative to our community for giving us the tools and resources necessary to help those who need it the most. If you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest hospital. Remember, we are always here for you,” the department added.