The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety 911 center received emergency calls regarding a male subject on top of the railroad scaffolding on 7th Street early Saturday morning at approximately 7:15am.
Police, Fire/Rescue, and medical units with American Medical Response were dispatched to the scene as potential vehicle and railroad traffic was halted and diverted while Police and Fire personnel began addressing the man on top of the 15-20 foot-high scaffolding.
Police Officers quickly determined the individual was possibly under the influence of an intoxicant, and in crisis. Grants Pass Fire/Rescue requested their fire apparatus equipped with a ladder and arial platform to respond to the scene to be utilized by the Police to position themselves close enough to communicate with the man.
Members from the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety Crisis Negotiations Team, comprised of clinicians who work for Options of Southern Oregon, were activated, as well as members from the Mobile Crisis Team to assist in enabling rapid contact from mental health professionals to those who are experiencing a mental health crisis.
As officers continued to de-escalate the situation, the man later identified as 41 year old Arthur Cassidy, agreed to climb down off the scaffolding. Cassidy was taken into custody uninjured.
Cassidy was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for disorderly conduct, and criminal trespass where he will be seen by mental health and other services.
