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Parkland News

Crest Plaza incident because of suicidal man, police say

Police car
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The incident at Crest Plaza happened because of a suicidal man, according to a press release.

SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. - Police responded Sunday to a suicidal man in Crest Plaza shopping center, but the public was never in danger, according to a news release.

  • The incident Sunday at Crest Plaza was because of a suicidal man, police said in a news release
  • The man refused to come out of a vehicle, but came out after several hours of talking with a Municipal Emergency Response Team (MERT) Crisis Negotiator
  • Onlookers on Facebook said police blocked off the entrances to the plaza, but the news release didn't acknowledge that and said the public was never in danger

Multiple police cars engaged with an unidentified suicidal man at Crest Plaza near the Target store starting about 7:30 p.m. Sunday, police said.
The man was inside a vehicle, and police tried to get him to come out. He refused at first, but after several hours of communicating with a Municipal Emergency Response Team (MERT) Crisis Negotiator, he came out and was taken to a hospital for evaluation, police said.

“We would like to thank our officers and the personnel from all assisting agencies who helped to ensure a peaceful and successful outcome,” the news release said.

“We would like to thank our officers and the personnel from all assisting agencies who helped to ensure a peaceful and successful outcome.”
Press release from the South Whitehall Township Police Department

South Whitehall Township police requested the assistance of the Lehigh County Municipal Emergency Team, as well as South Whitehall Township Fire Police, according to the release

In a South Whitehall Township Facebook group, some who identified themselves as shoppers in the plaza said police blocked off the entrances. The news release did not acknowledge that action or explain why it was necessary.

“At no point was the public in any danger,” the news release said.

Anyone suffering from suicidal thoughts or worried about a friend or loved one can contact Lehigh County Crisis Intervention at 610-782-3127.