PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A Target 12 review of Providence police data shows mental health incidents have risen nearly 200% in five years.
In late August, one of those incidents took place just inside the Providence Public Safety Complex on Washington Street.
“I think I’m gonna die,” a man said to the desk sergeant on shift that morning, according to police body-worn camera video obtained by Target 12.
The video, from Officer Renaud Joseph, shows a man entering the lobby of police headquarters on Washington St. with a small satchel, and telling Joseph he believed he was being followed.
“What’s in that bag?” Joseph asked.
“There’s a knife,” the man replied.
Joseph quickly was able to get the bag off of the man and removed two knives.
“It’s alright, it’s alright. You’re not gonna die,” Joseph said.
Soon Officer Mark DeCecco walked into the lobby and asked the man if he wanted to sit down. He told Joseph to radio for a rescue.
The man explained he had found drugs on the street.
“Want to take a deep breath for us?” DeCecco asked the man. “There you go. That’s good, buddy.”