Recently, in late December, Police Officer Samuel Guzman, a three-year PAPD veteran, was on patrol at the World Trade Center when he observed a woman in the Oculus Transportation Hub who appeared disoriented. He approached her and, using his second language, engaged her in conversation, leading Officer Guzman to believe she was suffering from an altered mental state.
As Officer Guzman gathered information, he requested EMS to evaluate the woman. He continued his investigation and learned through a data search that the woman was 56 years old and had been reported missing by her family in Jersey City. The family was notified that their loved one had been located by Officer Guzman and was being transported to a hospital for further evaluation. The woman and her family were reunited at the hospital.
PAPD WTC Command PBA Delegate Police Officer Chris Gilbert said of the incident, “What started as a simple conversation led to a family being reunited for the holidays, highlighting the power of awareness, communication and compassion in policing.”
Port Authority police officers are highly trained to handle the myriad difficult incidents they face each day in the protection of the people of New York, New Jersey and the millions using Port Authority facilities daily.