Mental Health Intervention

PITTSBURG, KS – On Thursday, May 27, 2021 at approximately 10:34 a.m., Pittsburg Police were dispatched to 506 N. Pine Street to investigate a report of a male subject standing on the fire escape of the business with, what the caller described as, an incendiary device. Officers arrived on scene and made contact with a 31- year-old male who was standing on the top platform of the fire escape of building to the south of 506 N. Pine Street. The man did not appear to be armed, but refused to come down to speak with officers. Officers observed a gas can, which had a paper towel protruding from the pour spout, near where the subject was standing. Officers immediately evacuated nearby businesses and shut down intersections in the immediate area as a precaution. Crawford County EMS and Pittsburg Fire were called to the scene to remain on standby.

Negotiators from the police department began efforts to talk the man into coming down from the platform. One officer was able to climb the fire escape and remove the gas can, which was not in the man’s immediate possession. After approximately one hour of negotiations, the man came down the fire escape without incident and was taken into custody at 11:42 a.m. He was transported to the police department, where he underwent a mental health evaluation.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing at this time. Anyone having information related to this incident, or other incidents, is urged to contact the Pittsburg Police Department at 620-231-1700, or at our tip line, 620-231-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous.

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