Spotlight: Distressed Woman Talked Off Bridge in Monticello, NY

Perfect timing and quick thinking helped officers bring a woman to safety after threatening to jump off a bridge in the Hudson Valley.

The Sullivan County Sheriff's Office shared that a deputy happened to be driving on Old Liberty Road in Monticello, NY on Friday, October 3rd when they noticed a woman standing on the wrong side of the bridge railing over Route 17 (below).

The Sullivan County Sheriff's Office shared that a distressed woman was planning to jump off the bridge spanning Route 17 on Old Liberty Road (Google Maps)

Mental Health Crisis in Monticello, NY Shuts Down Route 17

With several factors to take into consideration for the woman's safety, Deputy Sheriff Rory Meyer first made a request to shut down Route 17 while the situation was diffused. A call was also made to one of the office's newest resources: the Sheriff’s Crisis Negotiation Team.

The Sullivan County Sheriff's Office used their Crisis Negotiation Team to help a woman in distress in Monticello (Google Maps)

The Sullivan County Sheriff's Crisis Negotiation Team

The team, which was formed in 2019, is comprised of six sheriff deputies that are certified by the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) as crisis negotiators. On Friday, the call was answered by Lieutenant Cheryl Crumley, the team's lead negotiator.

Woman Successfully Talked Off Bridge in Monticello, NY

The negotiation, which lasted roughly an hour, ended successfully when the subject agreed to return back over the railing and was transported to the hospital. Route 17 was reopened at roughly 4 PM.

Get our free mobile app

News from the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office

In addition to the Sullivan County Sheriff's Department adding their crisis negotiation team in 2019, the office also made history by appointing the first woman in their 200+ year history to their detective bureau in April 2025.

Large Waterfront Retreat For Sale in Sullivan County

Built in 2004 this Sullivan County home in Monticello, New York is the perfect retreat for a family or even as a corporate getaway. With 5 bedrooms, and 7 baths it has room for many plus it sits on 5 plus acres of inviting waterfront land. Peek inside and see what it would be like to live in this lakefront retreat just minutes from Resorts World Catskill and Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.

Gallery Credit: Paty Quyn

Take a Tour of Sullivan County, NY's Newest Underground Salt Cave

Crystal Connection is a 1890's antique, Methodist church located in Sullivan County, NY. This is a crystal lover's dream come true.

It's known for being

"One of the largest Crystal & Mineral destinations on the Northeast."

While this may be a place that some people gather often, others can refer to it as a hidden gem in the Hudson Valley. Crystal Connection can also be described as

"a sacred space & crystal haven"

I have never experienced anything similar to Crystal Connection before. The amount of crystals, crystal jewelry, singing bowls, sage and more are fascinating. Crystal Connection also hosts different events and fairs throughout the year.

Take a tour through Crystal Connection's newest underground salt cave experience.

Gallery Credit: Allison Kay, Crystal Connection, YouTube

Categories: Articles