When I got home from work yesterday Karen told me she heard on the morning traffic news that there was a back-up coming off the Bay Bridge coming into San Francisco. This is what happened.In the distance I could see a dark figure walking right in between the two fast-moving lanes of traffic. For a brief moment I thought it was a guy working on the freeway. I instinctively pulled my truck to a stop. The car in the other lane did the same. This was the early morning commute with the sun barely creeping up. As the man walked past my passenger door in a zombie-like state, I jumped out, door ajar, ran around the front of my truck and caught him by the arm. Dude, you can’t do this. I held his upper arm. He kept walking, his feet continuing to shuffle. The traffic was now already backed up as far as I could see. I yelled at all the people in their cars to get out and help. I made eye contact with a couple of construction guys who pulled down their window. I need help here. The passenger jumped out. Hold his other arm, No I don’t know who he is. Brother we gotta get you off the freeway, what are you doing. In a quiet monotone voice he said I’m gonna kill myself. No, you can’t do that. We’re here, we’re gonna help you. The woman who stopped in the car next to me walked up to help us. I’ve called 911. She began talking to the mid-40s white guy, Jeffrey. Noticing her scrubs, I asked her if she was a nurse, yes, that was good. We walked him off the center of the road and the other construction guy pulled his truck and the nurse, her car, onto the half shoulder. One lane of traffic began squeezing through. The two of us never let go of Jeffrey’s arms. He wasn’t aggressive, he was in a daze, his feet wouldn’t stop shuffling on the spot. The nurse said the emergency dispatcher was sending someone to help. I crossed the traffic and pulled my truck over to their side. Cars began whizzing by, getting back up to 50 quite quickly. While we gently held each of Jeffrey’s arms, Lisa, the nurse, began talking to him face to face figuring out what his condition was, what his medications were. I asked did you come from the shelter, did you have any breakfast this morning, did they kick you out. Yes. I just want to kill myself. No, people care about you here, look, we’re here, we not going to let you do that. After several minutes it was clear no emergency help was on its way, the nurse and construction driver put on their hazards and drove slowly behind us as we walked Jeffrey down the ramp and off the freeway. Still, no ambulance. When we got Jeffrey onto safe ground I realized I had to go back up and get my truck parked tightly up against the side of the concrete barrier. This was by far the scariest part of the episode. Cars flew by a 50 or 60.This would be a good way to kill yourself, but you’d likely take some drivers out with you. I shuffled nervously along up against the concrete and finally waited for an opening to jump back into my truck to return to my comrades. We called again and again. Lisa was arguing with dispatch. No, there were no injuries. No, Jeffrey is not acting violently. Jeffrey, do you have any weapons, No, he has no weapons. We don’t need the police, we need an ambulance. This man has tried to kill himself.
My two construction buddies have to take off, their crew at work are waiting for them to be able to start work. I call my apprentice to tell him I’ll be late. Jeffrey, do you have any family. No. Any siblings. Yes, a sister. Where does she live. California. Do you know where. No. I had not let go of his arm this whole time. I rubbed his other shoulder. Dude, you’re alive and there a lot of us who are happy you’re alive.
Finally two San Francisco cop cars arrive with lights flashing. Two cops get out, one Latino male, one woman. He asks us what’s going on, I defer to Lisa, she’s a nurse she can inform you. Lisa explained the situation. The lead cop made no attempt to talk to Jeffrey or make any eye contact with him, as if he was something other than human, he simply went behind him and cuffed him. What are you doing. Tell me you’re not taking him to jail, Lisa protested. No, he whispered behind his back, Psyche. Why’re you handcuffing him, he’s not violent. Procedure.
Lisa and I walked back to our cars. Cold, that was so cold, they didn’t even talk to him. I know, it’s just so wrong.
Capitalism is brutal. All the resources that should go to help people who need help instead funds the mega palaces of the already super rich.
Jeffrey needs immediate love, friendship, and medical care.
But Jeffrey is alive and solidarity is what will save us all.
