Moody Park Crisis Averted

By Dylan Marsh
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
CLAREMONT- The Claremont Police Department successfully deescalated a potentially dangerous situation at Moody Park recently.

Claremont Police Officer Christopher Allen, utilizing his crisis intervention training, was able to convince an intoxicated and armed suicidal man to not only surrender his firearm, but to go amicably to a local hospital.

“He did the best in a situation that looked very tragic. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. Human life is precious and we want to see people get help,” said outgoing Claremont Chief of Police Mark Chase.

At roughly 10 PM on July 21, 2022, the Claremont Police Department received a call informing them of a local man threatening to commit suicide. After patrol officers made an effort to locate him, they spoke with family members and eventually determined that he intended to go to Moody Park in Claremont.

At the time of the call, a number of members of other agencies, including the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, New Hampshire State Police, and New Hampshire Attorney General’s Drug Task Force were in the city. The members of those agencies were in the city for unrelated reasons but aided the Claremont Police Department in the call.

Law enforcement officials were able to arrive at the top of Moody Park where they discovered the man in a field. Alongside the man were two individuals, who reportedly knew him, trying to calm the situation down. Members of the Claremont Police Department insisted that the two bystanders remove themselves from the situation but, due to the obvious tension of the situation, did not follow police orders. This made an already tense dynamic and potentially lethal situation all that much more harrowing for officers.

Officer Allen was able to draw the man’s focus and build a rapport with the troubled individual. According to incoming Claremont Chief Brent Wilmot and outgoing Chief Chase, building a rapport through trust and understanding is vital in these situations. Officer Allen was not only able to do that, despite the chaotic nature of the event, but also held the man’s attention long enough that he could hold a conversation with him from a safe distance. After a particularly lengthy conversation with the goal of humanizing the situation, the individual did surrender the firearm, and a little while later agreed to be driven to Valley Regional Hospital.

“He demonstrated at the same time, bravery and compassion, it’s something that’s really hard to balance. When you think of bravery it conjures one image in your mind and when you think of compassion there is another image. What he did that night was both at the same time,” said incoming Chief Wilmot.

For anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or ideas, there are local resources that are available. These include West Central Behavioral , which holds locations in Claremont, Lebanon, and Newport. There are also healthcare professionals at Valley Regional that can help you. People can also call the National Suicide Hotline at 988, where professionals are available to help you through a crisis, and steer you in the direction of further help.