SWAT Team Helps Teaneck Police Remove Man In Crisis, Cops Say

TEANECK, NJ — A SWAT Team assisted police in getting a Teaneck man to safety on Monday morning after they got a call that he was having a mental health crisis, police said.

The Teaneck police said that just after 7:30 a.m., they responded to the area of Ayers Court on a report of "an adult male experienc[ing] a mental health crisis."

The man was alone in his apartment, police said. He refused to let them in and remained "barricaded" inside, police said.

"Officers determined the man was in need of a mental health intervention. Given the circumstances, the Bergen County Regional Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) was requested to respond," police said.

A SWAT Team and Crisis Negotiators arrived. They evacuated nearby apartments and established a safe perimeter around the scene, they said.

Crisis negotiators attempted to communicate with the man "to de-escalate the situation and resolve the incident peacefully," police said, but this was still unsuccessful and the man remained inside, police said.

Eventually, police made forced entry and took the man into custody without incident, they said. He was taken to New Bridge Medical Center, "where he is receiving appropriate medical and mental health care," police said.

No injuries have been reported, and the scene has been cleared, police said.

At this time, no charges are being filed against the man, they said.

"The Teaneck Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety of our community, our officers, and individuals in mental health crisis," they said. "Our priority is always to resolve these incidents peacefully and to connect individuals with the mental health resources they need."

Chief Andrew McGurr thanked the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team for their assistance.

The issue of how police respond to people experiencing a mental health crisis has been in the news. Read more about that here.