UPDATE: Why the Guardian One helicopter was over South Delridge

2:56 PM: Police are checking out a report of an “agitated” man near Delridge and Barton, carrying something that looks like a pole or a machete, and since the Guardian One helicopter wasn’t far away, its crew volunteered to come take a look too. This might not turn out to be much of anything but since the helicopter will immediately attract a lot of attention, we’re mentioning it and will be monitoring.

3:00 PM: Police are reported to have made contact with the man.

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3:07 PM: Our ground crew verified police were talking with that man (photo above), though we don’t know what the item he was reportedly carrying turned out to be. Meantime, the helicopter has since moved a short distance to check out the 9000 block of 17th SW, where police tell us there was a report of a possible prowler in back yards.

13 Replies to "UPDATE: Why the Guardian One helicopter was over South Delridge"

  • The Velvet Bulldog July 6, 2016 (2:58 pm)

    Thanks! Just saw them fly over and thought, “Good grief, NOW what??” Never a dull moment around here!

  • Andi July 6, 2016 (2:58 pm)

    I came right here seeing the helicopter while at Roxhill with my kid. Yikesaroonie.

    • WSB July 6, 2016 (3:01 pm)

      Police made contact with the man fairly quickly and have reported over the radio that things are “under control.” … Added: And since they’re in the area, they’re now off to check out some other call in the 9000 block of 17th SW. Not necessarily something huge, but they just happen to be in the area, so …

  • Smokeycretin9 July 6, 2016 (3:07 pm)

    It’s getting scary down here. The level of drug use and mental illness has increased tenfold in the last two years. I hope something is done to help.

  • miws July 6, 2016 (3:07 pm)

    Was just going to report that G-1 has returned. 

    Mike

  • Mak'Gora Loktar July 6, 2016 (3:21 pm)

    Was he carrying a pole arm?!

  • hj July 6, 2016 (3:25 pm)

    Six cops, one perp. I’m not going to complain because I don’t know the facts, but am curious as to what the guidelines are for response in a situation like this. Another one I directly observed the other day was no less than four individual cars responded to a single crazy lady ranting in the 7-11 parking lot on Cali & Edmonds. I know that people wonder about fire dept response guidelines and there have been reasonable answers; I wonder what other guidelines apply here.

    • WSB July 6, 2016 (3:31 pm)

      If someone is considered possibly armed – and a machete would qualify – you will see as large a response as they can muster, let alone if they are KNOWN to be armed (see several recent incidents we’ve covered, all of which came to peaceful conclusions – the guy in the street by 35th/Barton, the guy who fired a shot outside a Highland Park house, etc.). Also, if they’re pulling over a car for a suspected felony (e.g., stolen), that too draws a big turnout. “Help the officer,” as well. I don’t know where this is all written, however, unlike SFD and the online log to which you can point to show one alarm/two alarm type responses. I’m speaking just from monitoring/covering all this, day in and day out. Perhaps a reader with direct knowledge will come along later and be able to add to this. – TR

    • erm July 6, 2016 (4:14 pm)

      HJ, the guidelines for a response are trying to cover the backs of fellow officers to make sure you all go home safely after a shift.  Someone with a weapon is just as threatening to the police as to civilians, and cops are seen as just a uniform, so there is a great risk for them.  Large response makes perfect sense.  And as for unstable people, you can’t predict what their reaction may be, thus also being a real threat to officer safety.

  • Trickycoolj July 6, 2016 (3:31 pm)

    Thought I heard a helicopter since I’m working from home. Checked flightrader24 and didn’t see one and figured it must be lawn mowing at a distance. I see I was right to begin with. And probably good Guardian One isn’t on public flight radar. 

    • WSB July 6, 2016 (3:39 pm)

      Tricky – We have discovered that flightradar24 does NOT always show G-1 … Patrick swears he can get it sometimes on the phone version, but I no longer can routinely find it via the desktop/laptop version.

  • Karen July 6, 2016 (3:55 pm)

    Neighbors scared off a prowler in the back yard of 8600 17th earlier today.  Police were notified.

    • WSB July 6, 2016 (3:57 pm)

      That sounds like the 17th/Cloverdale report someone texted us about earlier (if it was you, thank you) – Patrick went over to look for police but unlike in this case, they were gone before he arrived. Busy afternoon.

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