Man scales sign when police arrive after call for an unwanted male at a business
Julie Jocsak, Torstar
Police are seen at the Welland Avenue and Niagara Street intersection in St. Catharines while they talk a man off of the roof of Smoker’s Paradise.
Niagara Regional Police were called to a business near Welland Avenue and Niagara Street at about 9:15 a.m. for a report of an unwanted male. As officers arrived, the man scaled an elevated billboard in the area.
Officers called for the NRP’s crisis negotiators and emergency task unit. They also shut down roads in the area.
Const. Phil Gavin said the ETU has specialized skills training and equipment such as safety harnesses to operate at heights.
The man eventually climbed down safely and peacefully at about 1:10 p.m. after almost four hours above the Smoker’s Paradise business.
He was taken into custody and sent to hospital for an assessment under the Mental Health Act.
Source: St. Catharines Standard