Oxnard Police Coax Despondent 22-Year-Old Off Of 40-Foot High Power Pole

OXNARD (CBSLA.com) — Police in Oxnard Thursday saved a young man's life.

Officers were called to the 3400 block of South "C" Street just after 11 a.m. responding to numerous calls about a person climbing a power pole.

Police arrived and found a 22-year-old man standing atop the pole, about 40 feet off the ground.

The man was also wearing headphones.

The officers had Crisis Intervention Training -- designed to diffuse potentially dangerous situations with people in emotional distress.

With the help of Southern California Edison, officers attempted to lure the man down with lift buckets. Police said he refused to acknowledge them or their attempts to talk him down.

The Oxnard Police then called for the assistance of their Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT) and the Oxnard Fire Department.

Officials said after nearly four hours the man decided to come down off the pole. He later told authorities he was despondent over "family issues."

The man was transported to  a Ventura County mental Health facility for evaluation and help.