BY SUSAN BRYANT

sbryant@tnonline.com

A man was safely taken into custody around 10:30 p.m. Nov. 27 after a three-hour standoff in the parking lot of Crest Plaza, Cedar Crest Boulevard and Walbert Avenue, South Whitehall.

According to a news release from South Whitehall police, officers responded to a report of a suicidal male in the Crest Plaza parking lot near Target. The man, who was inside a vehicle, was refusing to come out.

South Whitehall police requested assistance from the Lehigh County Municipal Emergency Team and the township fire police.

The man, who came out of the vehicle after communicating with a MERT crisis negotiator for several hours, was then transported to a hospital for evaluation.

Police say the public was never in any danger.

South Whitehall police thank officers and personnel from all assisting agencies who helped ensure a peaceful and successful outcome.

They encourage anyone suffering from suicidal thoughts, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, to contact Lehigh County Crisis Intervention at 610-782-3127, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

The National Crisis Text Line is 741-741