By Jordan J. Phelan
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CLAREMONT — A daylong standoff in Claremont between law enforcement and a resident ended peacefully Thursday afternoon.
According to a press release issued by Claremont Police Chief Mark Chase, officers with the Claremont Police Department responded to a call of a resident potentially having a “mental health crisis” in an apartment building at the corner of North Street and Chellis Street shortly before 10 a.m.
Upon arrival, officers located the individual and began open communication while additional authorities with the city police department and New Hampshire State Police evacuated nearby homes and businesses, including Ready Set Grow, a child care facility where U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen was scheduled to “urge inclusion of support for child care in upcoming COVID-19 legislation” early Thursday afternoon.
The Claremont Communications Center issued a Code Red announcement — also referred to as a shelter-in-place warning — that was sent out to members of the local community about the ongoing situation and to avoid the area.
“If you are in that area, please shelter in place,” the warning stated. “If you are traveling, please avoid that area. Further information will be provided when it is available.”
The situation continued until approximately 5:30 p.m. when the standoff ended after the resident agreed to obtain further help from a mental health team. The Code Red announcement was withdrawn and the area was made accessible for vehicle and pedestrian traffic on North Street.
Due to the nature of the call, no names were released by the Claremont Police Department. The incident remains under investigation.
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