Santa Rosa police close downtown garage while trying to get man off ledge

Santa Rosa police temporarily closed down a downtown parking garage Sunday afternoon while attempting to get a man off the roof ledge.

Police were called out about 2 p.m. to the First Street garage, just west of the Roxy theater. The man finally came down around 3:30 p.m., and was taken to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation and to determine whether he was using drugs, Santa Rosa Police Sgt. Dan Hackett said in an email.

Dozens of bystanders had gathered on the street below as the incident unfolded. They could see the man sitting on the ledge on the northwest end of the building, one leg dangling off the side as police attempted to talk to him and a helicopter circled above.

Hackett said the man “discussed several nonsensical topics.” The garage and portions of the transit mall were closed while police tried to get the man down.

- Staff Writer Susan Minichiello contributed to this report.