A Mt. Vernon city councilman is praising the Mt. Vernon police department for its handling of an incident and arrest over the weekend.

Police were called to the 1100 block of Perkins where a man reportedly skipped out on paying a cab fare. When police arrived, Lyndon Hawkins opened the back door and showed a firearm before going back into the home. After a 3-hour standoff, Hawkins surrendered peacefully.

Councilman Donte Moore said at Monday’s council meeting that the officers’ professionalism prevented a bad situation from getting worse.

Hawkins was taken to the Jefferson County Justice Center. He’s facing charges of possessing a firearm as a felon, no valid FOID card, and theft of services.