Seattle, WA Police – Potential Bridge Jumper
Situation
Seattle PD has spent more than 14 hours trying to dissuade distraught male subject from jumping off of a pedestrian bridge near Qwest Field during a Seattle Seahawks game.
Problem
The limited range and poor sound quality of traditional communication methods such as shout outs and bullhorns require officers to be in close proximity to emotionally distraught individuals.
When a person is threatening suicide by jumping from a tall structure or other self-harm, delivering clearly understood messages and instructions over distance is problematic.
Solution
After a brainstorming session, Captain Paul McDonagh recommended deploying the department’s LRAD long range communication system to reacquire contact with the individual and speak with him at a distance without uniformed officers in sight.
“The LRAD was deployed with Officer Tim Allen as the primary communicator. Within two to three minutes after beginning to tell the subject to remove himself from the roof, he complied and was subsequently placed into custody without incident.” – Captain Steve Brown, West Precinct Commander
The group of officers were able to come together, form a plan, and work with SWAT to deploy the LRAD, providing a life‑saving conclusion to a protracted incident.
LRAD is the Communication System of Choice for law enforcement, public safety, and defense departments around the world.
Unlike bullhorns and vehicle PA systems that disperse sound in all directions, LRAD’s proprietary audio technology focuses sound in a 30° beam while substantially reducing sound levels behind the device and in surrounding areas.
Long Range Acoustic Devices are saving lives during everyday duties and escalated risk operations.
