SECAUCUS, NJ — At 9:31 a.m. on Friday, October 27, the Secaucus Police Department responded to a call from the New Jersey State Police about a suicidal male. The individual’s phone was tracked to the area near Penhorn Avenue, Turnpike Exit 15X in Secaucus, and the Jersey City jurisdictional border in Laurel Hill Park.
Law enforcement agencies mobilized swiftly, eventually locating the distressed individual at Secaucus Junction Train Station.
Authorities received initial information that the male could be armed. His phone was continuously tracked, narrowing his location to the marsh area near the train station and Laurel Hill Park. A perimeter was established and drones were deployed. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Jersey City Police Department, New Jersey Transit Police, Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, and New Jersey State Police, secured the area.
At 9:45 a.m., the phone was believed to be stationary. As a precaution, Hudson County High Tech High School and the Kiddie Academy Daycare were informed to “shelter-in-place.”
Detective Lieutenant Michael Torres of the Secaucus Police Department established telephonic contact with the individual at 10:31 a.m.
The New Jersey State Police Helicopter was deployed, aiding in further narrowing the individual’s location. The Hudson County Regional Crisis Negotiation Team took over communication efforts, attempting to have the male surrender.
Background noise heard during the call led officers to the Secaucus Junction Train Station, where the individual was found in a restroom.
No weapons were discovered on him, and he was transported to a medical facility for treatment.
Chief Miller extended thanks to all participating agencies, stating that locating an individual in such a vast area is akin to finding a needle in a haystack.