Full Notification

MEDIA RELEASE / COMMUNITY ALERT
FROM THE CITY of SAN MATEO POLICE DEPARTMENT

SMPD Is Honored to Receive the Tony Hoffman Community Mental Health Service Award

SMPD is the proud recipient of the Tony Hoffman Community Mental Health Service Award for our compassionate response to a report of an armed distraught male this past February, a response that thankfully led to a peaceful conclusion for what was a tense and potentially deadly situation for everyone involved. SMPD received the award during a ceremony on May 6th, 2015 which included a formal commendation from our esteemed San Mateo County Board of Supervisors with Supervisor Dave Pine himself in attendance to personally present the commendation and show his appreciation. SMPD Captain Jack Ratcliffe and Lieutenant Dave Peruzzaro were on hand to receive the award, having served as the Incident and Tactical Commanders for the event on Edna Way. SMPD wishes to humbly thank the San Mateo County Mental Health & Substance Abuse Recovery Commission for receipt of this incredible award and we are eternally grateful for the critical role that San Mateo County Health Services played in helping us safely resolve the incident. We have and will continue to relish in our ongoing partnership with SMCHS because it’s that very partnership that helps us time and again to connect those who are in dire need of emergency mental health services at the moment when they truly need it most.

On February 4, 2015, just after 7:00AM, SMPD Officers responded to the 600 block of Edna Way on a report of a distraught 49 year old male who was threatening to harm himself and was possibly armed. Officers eventually established visual contact with the subject and saw that he was in fact armed with multiple loaded handguns, walking sporadically throughout the house and open garage with the guns visible at various times either in his hands or tucked in his waistband or pockets. As negotiations continued with the male for over 4 hours, SMPD Tactical Negotiators worked hard to build a trustful rapport with him while additional SMPD officers worked tirelessly in cooperation with the subject’s family, San Mateo County Health Services, and related social services to secure and preserve the timely and critical assistance he needed. With several SMPD Officers placing themselves directly in harm’s way to contain the event and protect our community during the incident, SMPD Negotiators were eventually able to achieve the peaceful surrender of the subject without anyone being harmed. Again, we would like to thank our community and especially our Edna Street neighbors for their patience and support both during and after this critical incident.


A MESSAGE TO OUR COMMUNITY
Your police department and San Mateo County Health Services stand at the ready to assist those in crisis. If you or someone you love is in need of urgent mental health assistance, please do not hesitate to call 911 or go directly to the nearest hospital. There are professionals waiting to help that can provide the necessary assistance during this urgent time of need.

San Mateo County Health Services also offers a 24/7 Suicide Prevention lifeline, (650)579-0350 or toll free at (800)273-TALK (8255). There is also 24/7 emotional support and information available via text message for those in crisis by texting “START” to 741741. Learn more at www.crisistextline.org/get-help-now/

Psychiatric Emergency Services for San Mateo County is located at the San Mateo Medical Center, 222 West 39th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403. PES can also be reached at (650)573-2662.

Sadly suicide can still occur without the victim ever showing any signs of mental trauma or distress. But there are still signs we can look for to help recognize if someone in our life is in crisis. Learn more right now at: http://www.suicideispreventable.org/