Newark Cops Rescue Suicidal Teen: ‘Hold On, Brother, We Care'

NEWARK, NJ — It’s the kind of empathy-fueled rescue that the entire city of Newark can be proud of, authorities say.

A pair of Newark police officers responded to Youth Consultation Services at 284 Broadway around 5 p.m. on Monday, where a 13-year-old was threatening to jump from a third-floor ledge, according to the Newark Department of Public Safety.

The teen had locked himself in a common area of the building and was out on the fire escape when police arrived, authorities said.

When the officers saw the teen clinging to a chain link fence – with nothing underneath him to stop his fall – they knew they had to act quickly. Video footage of the ensuing rescue was captured on police bodycams.

“Hold on brother!” one of the officers tells the teen. “Don’t do that. Listen, we care about you. We don’t want you to get hurt.”

Meanwhile, the other officer gently grabs hold of the youth, easing him back to the safety of the fire escape as he repeatedly tells them he wants to be left alone.

With the teen safe for the moment, the officers continue to provide a comforting presence, telling him, “Whatever’s on your mind, man, we’re listening.”

As they try to talk to the teen, one officer offers to get him some food, a tactic that paid off during another potentially deadly incident in August, when Newark police talked a man into peacefully surrendering after he threatened to kill himself.

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“When’s the last time you ate… something good?” one cop quizzes, getting their first reply from the teen other than “leave me alone.”

Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose praised the involved officers, who he said showed “exceptional compassion” reaching out to the teen, who was transported to University Hospital for evaluation.

“In saving this child’s life, these officers exhibited the type of dedication and commitment that the people of the City of Newark can be proud of,” Ambrose said. “I believe we can all applaud them as heroes and as invaluable community guardians.”

People having suicidal thoughts can reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255. Garden State residents can also find support at the New Jersey Hopeline at 1-855-654-6735.

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