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Our mission is to prevent suicides on the Golden Gate Bridge and advocate for restricting access to all means of suicide.
February 2020 Newsletter
2019 Golden Gate Bridge Suicide Statistics
Confirmed suicides during the year: 28
Unconfirmed suicides during the year: 2
Interventions during the year: 166
Suicides & interventions during the year: 196

Source: Golden Gate Bridge District
2018 Golden Gate Bridge Suicide Statistics
Confirmed suicides during the year: 27
Unconfirmed suicides during the year: 4
Interventions during the year: 187
Suicides & interventions during the year: 218

Source: Golden Gate Bridge District
The Continuing Saga
 
Suicides on the Golden Gate Bridge continue, despite the commitment of Bridge District officials to make the bridge safe, and despite the hard work of multiple subcontractros who are fabricating the specially-designed, stainless steel net that will be installed (right). The hang-up is that the lead contractor was bought out by another company that's displeased with the original contract. Bridge District staff are lobbying leaders in Congress to intercede and help get the project back on track. Meanwhile, the district's director of public affairs, Priya Clemens, an important source of information on the net, left recently to host KQED Newsroom, the long-running TV weekly news series.
Florida Bridge to Get Barrier

Construction of a suicide prevention barrier on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay is slated to start this summer and be completed in several months. Unlike the Golden Gate Bridge, steel netting will extend vertically eight feet from the top of the bridge's concrete barriers, making it difficult for anyone to climb over. In 2018, a record 18 people died jumping from the bridge, making it the fourth deadliest bridge in America. A horizontal net under the bridge was ruled out because it would block truck-mounted booms that are used to inspect and maintain the underside of the bridge. Also, it would extend too far below the bridge into the shipping channel.
Chicago Mall a Jump Site

Water Tower Place in Chicago's popular "Magnificent Mile" shopping center has become a site for suicides after separate jumps by two people. Both jumps were from the seventh floor of the mall, with the latest one prompting increased security on the upper floors, warnings to shoppers not to get too close to the railing, and questions about how suicides can be prevented. After a number of people jumped in front of the trains, suicide prevention signs were mounted in Chicago stations, but have not had much impact because most suicidal people aren't deterred by signs. They're only deterred by physical barriers.
Meanwhile, in Rhode Island...

A group calling itself Bridging the Gap for safety and healing has formed in Rhode Island to advocate for suicide prevention barriers on the state's four tallest bridges, including the Mount Hope Bridge (right). Drawing on Bridge Rail Foundation's experiences in getting a suicide deterrent system approved on the Golden Gate Bridge, the group has received considerable media attention and obtained the support of several state legislators who have agreed to introduce legislation in favor of physical suicide barriers on each bridge. We're tracking their progress with interest, and will report new developments as they occur.
Bridge Rail Foundation is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization. Safe, secure, tax-deductible donations can be made by clicking on this link. Community support makes our work possible.
Copyright © 2020 Bridge Rail Foundation. All rights reserved.
3020 Bridgeway #179, Sausalito, CA 94965. www.bridgerail.net.

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Bridge Rail Foundation · 3020 Bridgeway #179 · Sausalito, CA 94565 · USA

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