Posted on 05/12/2016 3:42:44 PM PDT by Hojczyk
Cops: Man jumped into lake to avoid police during psychological episode
Lakeland police said they were called to a home on Long Lake Circle at 8:30 p.m. by a woman who said her 21-year-old son needed psychological help and was having an "episode."
The man ran into a wooded area behind their apartment and his mother said she wanted help getting him taken into custody under the Baker Act, according to police.
The Lakeland Police Department enlisted the help of the Polk County Sheriff's Office helicopter and K-9 to search the area.
At 9:52 p.m., PCSO's helicopter crew said they saw the man lying on the ground in the 5000 block of Long Lake Circle.
According to police, the man said he knew law enforcement was looking for him, so he swam back across the lake, which had a sign posted that read "Caution! Alligators frequent this area!"
The man was missing approximately three-fourths of his left forearm when authorities found him. He was taken to Lakeland Regional Health Center to be treated, according to police.
The man was also placed under the Baker Act and will face no criminal charges.
(Excerpt) Read more at clickorlando.com ...
Named him after a man of the cloth, called him Amos Moses...
The alligator was on drugs?
What makes you think this was due to drugs?
Is the Gator ok?.
Hold muh - arm?
“Left arm gone clean up to the elbow!”
Never a good idea to run from the police.
“Swimming With Alligators”
One of the least-used excursions on a cruise.
The Baker Act....You are taken to a drug clinic they can keep you for a limited time
It happened in an apartment complex in a more-rural outlying area of the NE section of the city, an area with a lot of small lakes which are basically swamp drainage areas, each with its alligator(s) that don’t bother you if you don’t bother them.
Additionally, it's never a good idea if you are a parent to call the police when your kids are having psychotic "episodes." They rarely make matters better.
When you lie with the dogs, you get fleas...
When you swim with the ‘gators, it’s sometimes a disarming experience
LOLOL... OUTSTANDING!!!
It takes a fair amount of crazy to dive into a lake filled with alligators, especially at night. Whether that crazy is naturally occurring or chemically induced means naught to the gators.
Still got the 45 I think. ((:O)
Just Gatorade.
Sadly you are correct. Police officers are woefully under trained when it comes to dealing with psychiatric crisis situations. This is an area where everyone would benefit from widespread training in psychiatric "first aid".
This man’s Second Amendments rights were violated.
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