1 preventing suicides at the cold spring canyon arch bridge may 2006
TRANSCRIPT
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Preventing Suicides at the Cold Spring Canyon Arch Bridge
May 2006
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Purpose of our meeting
Discuss: Strategies for addressing suicides at the bridge Rescue and recovery operations: Commander
Dominick Palera, County Sheriff’s Department Understanding and preventing suicide, and how it
relates to bridge jumping: Dr. Lisa Firestone, The Glendon Association
Receive: Feedback from the citizens on course of action
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The Issue and Concern:
43 people have committed suicide at the
bridge since it was built in 1963
31 have committed suicide since 1981
19 were aged 21-40
14 were aged 41-60
32 were male
11 were female
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Further Demographic Breakdown
27 resided in southern Santa Barbara County (from Carpinteria to Goleta)
7 lived in northern Santa Barbara County (Santa Ynez Valley to Santa Maria)
9 were from various California counties
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County Sheriff's Department
First contact experience
Frequency of events and call outs
Manpower and resources - cost of a rescue or recovery
The difficulty of victim recovery
Road Closure
Staff safety
Video of recent suicide attempt
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Multi-functional Task Force Formed to Investigate the Issue and Identify Possible
Means to Reduce Suicides
County Sheriff’s DepartmentCHP
CaltransThe Glendon Association
Emergency and Health ServicesFamily Service Agency/211
SBCAGElected RepresentationCounty Public Works
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Potential Strategies
Hotline Call BoxesVideo CamerasPull-out restrictionsAdditional SigningAdditional LightingPublic EducationPedestrian BarricadesSafety Net
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Call Boxes
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Suicide Hotline Call Boxes
Such connections not available at this time
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SIGNING
Current Sign posted at Cold Spring Bridge
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Possible Additional Message Signs
We Care About You Distress Center--We listen 24 hours a day
Statistically, signs have limited effectiveness
Clifton BridgeGolden Gate
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Video CamerasLocal law enforcement agencies lackresources for visual monitoring
Do not prevent suicide
May serve as a suicide attraction
Surveillance and Patrol
Local law enforcement agencies lack resources for visual monitoring
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Lighting Lighting has not proven to be an effective deterrent
Safety NetInstalled underneath the bridge
Can be an effective barrier for helping to reduce suicides - alternative proposal
Rescue from a net can be problematic
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Public Parking/Pull Out Areas
Restricting parking or closing off pull out areas may not be effective in reducing suicides
Some people park in the middle of the bridge
Caltrans Maintenance requires pull out access to both ends of the bridge
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Public Education
Educate the public through the local media and community meetings and events
Provide public awareness that dialing 9-1-1 is best for notifying law enforcement in emergencies
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Pedestrian Barrier
Demonstrated internationally to be the most effective strategy for preventing bridge related suicides
Effective barrier height is six feet tall
Can be constructed with aesthetic priorities
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Research & Findings
Restriction of Means:Preventing the ability to jump
How effective is it?Studies show that when people are prevented from jumping, they do not go on to commit suicide by other means.Example: Of 515 people who were prevented from jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge, only 6 percent went on to commit suicide.
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Research & FindingsRestriction of Means:Preventing the ability to jump
Example: Ellington and Taft Bridges in Washington D.C. Barricade placed at Ellington, but not on nearby Taft.
Suicides at Ellington decreased from average of 4 per year to 0 after barricade was installed.
Suicides at nearby Taft Bridge did not increase.
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Research & Findings
EllingtonTaft
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What Does Pedestrian Fencing Look Like?
Ellington
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What Does Pedestrian Fencing Look Like?
Cold Spring Arch Bridge
Pasadena Colorado Street Bridge
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What Does Pedestrian Fencing Look Like?
Pasadena Colorado Street Bridge
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What Does Pedestrian Fencing Look Like?
Luminous VeilClifton Suspension
Bridge
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What Does Pedestrian Fencing Look Like?
Sydney Harbor
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Golden Gate Bridge
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One of 3 Proposed Barriers for the Golden Gate Bridge
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How much would a pedestrian barricade cost?
Preliminary Estimate: $200,000 to $300,000
Investigating eligibility for Department of Transportation Safety Program Funding
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How difficult is it to get clearance to work on the bridge?
The bridge is likely eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places
Architectural studies required
Historical Resources Evaluation Report required
Federally funded projects must comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act
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A Finding of Effects document will need to be prepared, depending on the type of bridge modification proposed
Any modification deemed an “adverse effect” on the bridge will require further consultation with Federal Agencies, and perhaps the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
Environmental Clearance cont.
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Difficult to assess at this pointProject design Environmental reviewPermitting
How long would a project take to install a pedestrian barricade?
Interim Fencing Advisable?
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Commander Dominick PaleraCounty Sheriff's Department
Lisa Firestone, Ph.D.The Glendon Association
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