Police Avert Suicide Attempt

WILDWOOD – Members of the Wildwood Police Department Uniform Patrol Division were dispatched to the George Redding Bridge for a report of a suicidal male Thursday, Aug. 6 at approximately 1:10 a.m. According to police communications they received a 911 emergency call from an unidentified male stating he was going to commit suicide by jumping off the bridge.
Upon arrival of uniform patrol officers, a male, later identified as a Lower Township resident, was located on the south side pedestrian walkway in the immediate vicinity of the bridge attendant’s control building. During the ensuing contact with the individual, he advised the responding officers that he intended to commit suicide and abruptly obtained a seated position on the top security rail of the bridge, stating that he intended to jump.
During the ensuing contact with the individual, officers established a positive dialogue with the individual who was obviously distraught and unpredictable. As the contact continued, members of the Lower Township and Cape May police Departments, along with the United States Coast Guard, arrived and assisted in the active investigation. 
Eventually, during the negotiations, the individual voluntarily stepped back over the perimeter security railing and onto the pedestrian walkway. The individual was safely taken into police custody and immediately transported to Cape Regional Medical Center to be evaluated by their medical staff.