Yonkers Police save woman in distress from the top level of a parking garages ledge
By: Specially trained Yonkers police officers saved the life of a woman who seemed intent on not being helped. Today, the department released bodycam footage of the tense moments leading up to the rescue.
Police officials said they are sharing the remarkable video both to highlight the amazing job officers do every day to help the people of this community, while showing the compassion and care they had for this woman, and to make everyone in the community aware that there are resources in Yonkers to help and support each other through the struggles of everyday life.
Just before 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Yonkers Police Department units responded to the top level of a parking garage for a woman who was attempting to harm herself. Fourth Precinct police officers created a secure perimeter while Emergency Service Unit (ESU) Officers started rescue operations.
ESU Officer Sandro Vazquez initiated contact with the woman, who was clearly in distress, establishing a rapport and pleading with her to come down from the ledge. While Vazquez was speaking to the woman, ESU Officers Michael Mirabella, Jason Philipps, Richard Fernandez and Brendan Moore put a rope safety system in place and secured it to the structure of the building in a matter of minutes. This system was secured to officers for safety in case an officer fell or had to go over the ledge to attempt the rescue.
Vazquez was involved in a similar headline-grabbing incident last October in which a man's life was saved in a split second.
Vazquez was soon joined by Deputy Chief Monaco, who leads the Yonkers Police Department Crisis Negotiation Team. After about five minutes of negotiation, officers noticed the woman begin to lean backward over the edge, so they rushed in to prevent her from falling and bring her to safety. She was taken to an area hospital for evaluation and referred to the Mobile Crisis Response Team.
"Another amazing job by our Emergency Service Unit, aided by First Deputy Chief Monaco and the 4th Precinct, who rescued a woman in distress," YPD officials said in a statement released on social media. "Don't choose a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Please dial 9-8-8 if you feel like you may want to harm yourself. We don't want anyone to feel that harming themselves is the only choice they have-the Yonkers Police Department, the City of Yonkers, and our Mobile Crisis Response Team are here for you. Life is worth living."