PROSPECT PARK, Pa. – A tense encounter for a Delaware County police officer who used an unusual but tasty method to help a disabled man get the help he needed.

The crime fighting tool? A McDonald’s McRib sandwich.

“He was a little bit excited when we got there,” explained Prospect Park Police officer Samuel Willis, when he was dispatched to Witmer Memorial Field for a man causing a disturbance Wednesday afternoon.

Willis didn’t know what to expect when he arrived.

“It was a subject with disabilities and also suffered with some mental health problems,” he said.

Willis says the disabled man, who was with two aides, was in severe mental distress and yelling. But, instead of responding with handcuffs, a stun gun or a gun, Officer Willis offered the man a meal.

“I asked him if I would be able to get him a McRib and maybe some fries, if that would be able to defuse the situation,” explained Willis.

Willis hopped in his patrol car and drove to McDonald’s on Lincoln Avenue to buy the man a McRib sandwich, fries and a chocolate milkshake. He went back to the park and delivered the meal along with some frank conversation.

“I was able to go back, bring the food to him. You know, kind of sit him down and be like ‘Hey listen, you need to treat your aides with respect,’” said Officer Willis.

And that’s all it took. A boneless pork patty smothered in barbecue sauce with a side of compassion.

“At the end of the day, the least force outcome is the best,” added Willis.

His boss, who trains de-escalation techniques, says the interaction was a veteran move by the officer with about two years with the Department.

“I’m extremely impressed by what he did. I’m extremely proud of what he did. You know, it speaks well for the entire police department and I couldn’t be happier with the results,” said Prospect Park Police Chief Dave Madonna.

It turns out, even McDonald’s got into the act. Once they heard the officer was helping someone in need they donated the meal. “I’m really happy to hear that our food can make a difference in somebody’s day,” said McDonald’s manager, Alexis King.

The man was eventually able to get the help he needed and get home safely. As for the limited time sandwich helping law enforcement?

“Hopefully they’ll keep it on the menu longer,” said Madonna.

According to McDonald’s website, the McRib will only be available until January 28th, 2025.

Going-out-of-business sales are expected to begin at all Big Lots stores – including those in Delaware – in the coming days as the company closes its businesses, according to an announcement Thursday.

The retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September and closed 340 stores, though none in the First State. The closures were part of a sale agreement with an affiliate of Nexus Capital Management LP, which Big Lots has since announced likely will not be completed.

The company said it still “continues to work toward” an alternative going concern transaction with Nexus or another party. CEO Bruce Thorn said the closures could be reversed if a company sale is completed.

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Big Lots has five Delaware stores located in the Wilmington area, New Castle area, Seaford, Dover and Milford. The stores are still open, and no exact closure dates have been released.

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This story was supported by a statehouse coverage grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

George Brinkley, who was recently released from the Delaware Department of Correction, said tablets provided by the state have helped him gain job skills and stay connected with his family. He was detained at the Community Corrections Treatment Center in Smyrna.

“It helps me communicate with my family because my family lives in Sussex County,” he said. “There’s a phone app that I can make a phone call anytime I need it.”

DOC partnered with ViaPath Technologies earlier this year to provide all incarcerated individuals with tablets, more than 4,000 people. It’s an expansion of a pilot program that started in 2019 with a ratio of about one tablet per six people being held in prison.

Brinkley earned money inside the prison by working in the kitchen, and cleaning the administration offices and his living area, making $13.25 an hour. But those earnings go to fines, restitution and court fees, not him. So it fell on his family to give him money to access the paid features of the tablet. He said his girlfriend would send him money for the device.

“I just tell her to send me a few dollars,” he said. “Just to be able to send her a text message.”

Community Corrections Treatment Center offers substance abuse treatment. The people incarcerated there don’t keep the wages they earn. But in Delaware’s other prisons, inmates earn just cents on the dollar for every hour they work, which means using the tablets can be expensive for them and their families.

ViaPath is owned by private equity firm American Securities. It’s one of the nation’s largest prison telecom corporations. The company provided free tablets to people being held in confinement and provided the infrastructure. It makes money through charging for personal communication with loved ones, and access to sports, podcasts, news, games, movies and music.  The costs range from three cents to five cents a minute. The tablets are not connected to the internet.