Crime & Safety
Negotiator Called To Help Evacuate Person Threatening Self-Harm
Niles police also called an Emergency Service Team to help persuade the person, who had a knife, to leave their home and go to a hospital
NILES, IL — The Northern Illinois Emergency Service Team (EST) was called to the scene where a person was threatening to hurt themselves in Niles Wednesday morning. The team, which is usually used for barricade situations, had a negotiator in tow.
According to a news release from Niles police, a person contacted the department after seeing a suspicious post from a friend on social media threatening self-harm.
When police arrived for a wellness check at 8:52 a.m., the person was holding a knife and refused to exit their home. A relative was also inside the home with them but was evacuated, police said.
Find out what's happening in Niles-Morton Grovefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Even with the Niles Police Department social worker continuing communication, the person still would not leave, leading police to call EST.
Officials said EST negotiated directly with the person, and eventually they agreed to leave the home. Medical personnel then took them to a local hospital for evaluations and treatment.
Find out what's happening in Niles-Morton Grovefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Anyone who is struggling can get help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or by texting HOME to 741741.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.