A man in the midst of a mental health crisis caused major disruptions on the Bay Bridge during rush hour on Wednesday. California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers, including crisis negotiator Captain Elliotte Johnson, managed the situation by engaging with the individual calmly and building trust over hours while closing lanes for safety. Their focus on communication allowed for a peaceful resolution, with the man getting the help he needed. Although traffic was heavily impacted, the priority remained on the man's well-being, demonstrating effective crisis intervention strategies in high-stress situations.
"An individual was on the side of the railing. This situation takes time. We don't want to rush it," said Captain Elliotte Johnson from the California Highway Patrol.
"We had lengthy conversations with this person who just needed someone to talk to. We're trained in crisis intervention," Johnson said.
"We want to build a rapport with the individual. That's what we did. Rapport takes time, right?" Johnson said.
"Ultimately, we were able to assist this man. It took time. I know traffic was impacted, but we got this person off the bridge," Johnson said.
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