Distressed Juvenile Threatens To Jump Off Parking Deck In Bergen County: Police

HACKENSACK, NJ — A juvenile male who was threatening to jump off the ledge of a parking deck at 170 Prospect Avenue was talked down by Hackensack police Wednesday, police Capt. Michael Antista said.

Police Detective Chris Lara Nunez and officer Frank Caneja immediately began to speak with the boy, who appeared to be in emotional distress, and helped de-escalate the situation and stabilize the crisis, Antista said.

Lara Nunez and Caneja, along with officer Matthew Debonis and Sgt. Kley Peralta, were able to speak to the boy and move him safely away from the ledge, where he was then taken to a local hospital for treatment, police said.

"The Hackensack Police Department is extremely proud of the officers who brought this incident to a successful and safe conclusion, and they should be commended for their heroic action while upholding the proud traditions of the department," the department said in an Instagram post.

This is the second major incident this week in Bergen County involving the rescue of a young person in crisis. Also on Wednesday in Elmwood Park, police saved a girl from falling to her death atop a 40-foot bridge, Patch reported.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

The state also has a list of mental health resources for young adults at https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/y...