The Alexandria Police Department has resolved an incident with an adult male experiencing a psychotic episode in the West End.
The police tweeted at 12:29 p.m. on Friday (October 23) that a person was being helped with a mental health crisis in the 500 block of North Howard Street, and approximately 10 officers were at the scene when the man’s behavior was reported to police at around noon, according to Alexandria Police spokesman Lt. Courtney Ballantine.
“He’s basically in a psychotic state and he needs assistance,” Ballantine told ALXnow. “We’re working to get that to him in the safest way possible.”
At around 1 p.m., Ballantine reported that the man was “receiving services,” but could not confirm if he was taken to the hospital.
Ballantine said that the man was not suicidal, did not have a weapon, and talked to police while apparently alone in his apartment.
Ballantine said he sent out the tweet to alert the public about an increased police presence in the area, which is near apartment buildings and is blocks away from the Shoppes of Foxchase on Duke Street.
NOTIFICATION :: The Alexandria Police Department is assisting a subject in a mental health crisis in the 500 block of North Howard Street. Expect police activity in the area.
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) October 23, 2020