High Tech High School, Secaucus, NJ
On Friday, October 27, 2023 at 0931hrs, the Secaucus Police Department received a call from the New Jersey State Police, Sussex Station stating they had contact with a concerned family member of a male who is suicidal and that they have tracked his cellular phone in the area of Penhorn Avenue, Turnpike Exit 15X in Secaucus and the Jersey City jurisdictional border in Laurel Hill Park. It was reported that this male was possibly armed with a handgun/shotgun and wished to harm himself. The male’s cell phone was constantly tracked to get a more precise and frequently updated locations. The location of this male was narrowed to the marsh area near the Secaucus Junction Train Station/Laurel Hill Park where a perimeter was immediately set so that the male could be located. The Secaucus Police certified drone pilots launched the department drones. Jersey City Police Department and New Jersey Transit Police Department Emergency Service Units along with Patrol personnel, Hudson County Sheriff’s Office and New Jersey State Police Troopers and Helicopter responded to assist with securing the area. At 0945 hours the phone was believed to be stationary, therefore the Hudson County High Tech High School and the Kiddie Academy Daycare at the Exchange were informed to “shelter-in-place” due to the heavy police presence and increased traffic of law enforcement equipment.
At 1031hrs, Secaucus Police Department Negotiator, Detective Lieutenant Michael Torres was able to make telephonic contact with the male that was in distress. Det. Lt. Torres was able to maintain telephonic contact with this male. The New Jersey State Police Helicopter was then deployed which was negative for any visual sightings however was beneficial in narrowing the location of the male utilizing the acoustics of the helicopter during the phone call. The Hudson County Regional Crisis Negotiation Team arrived to relieve Det. Lt. Torres and attempt to have the male surrender himself for assistance. While speaking to the male background noise could be heard by officers that were monitoring the call that placed him within the Secaucus Junction Train Station. New Jersey Transit Police Officers ultimately located this male in the restroom of the train station and a search was negative for any weapons. The male was then transported to the proper medical facility to receive treatment via Jersey City Mobile Crisis. The area was additionally searched for any weapons which also proved negative.
Chief Miller would like to thank the Jersey City Police Department, New Jersey Transit Police Department, New Jersey State Police, Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, Hudson County Regional SWAT and Hudson County Crisis Negotiations Team for their support during this event. Locating an individual in such a vast area is metaphorically similar to the needle in the haystack. It is a testament to the services all of these agencies provide and epitomizes the teamwork capabilities of our local law enforcement agencies to result in this individual receiving the assistance he needs. We also thank the community for remaining calm in light of recent current events” said Chief Dennis Miller.
At this time, there are no criminal charges sought for this male.