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The Student News Site of San Francisco State University

Golden Gate Xpress

The Student News Site of San Francisco State University

Golden Gate Xpress

Potential suicide barrier for Golden Gate Bridge still under political, financial debate

Potential suicide barrier for Golden Gate Bridge still under political, financial debate

In 2008, shortly after 1000 people had been recorded jumping to their deaths, a slew of public meetings were held to discuss the possibility of installing a barrier. Along with mental health professionals and spiritual leaders, several families of suicide victims came forward to appeal to the Bridge District board.

“Sharing their pain publicly really influenced the issue,” Bateson said.

Though the motion to install a barrier was approved, the Bridge District has denied responsibility for securing the funds to implement any changes.

From this inaction, advocacy groups set on securing funding through donations and federal means have emerged, including the Bridge Rail Foundation.

“(The goal is) to get the suicide barrier installed, or the net in this case,” said Paul Muller, a board member of the Bridge Rail Foundation in regard to the latest preventative measure on the table.

Muller, who owns a marketing firm in San Francisco, was introduced to the issue of suicide on the Golden Gate Bridge by a group of psychiatrists he was doing business with.

“I became pretty outraged,” Muller said, recalling personal stories he was told about suicide victims. “It’s a deadly scandal that’s gone on and on and on.”

Though the Bridge District has spent $5 million on a barrier for bicyclists and intends to install a $25 million movable median barrier to prevent traffic collisions, the $45 million suicide barrier is still far more costly.

Holmes said the cost of the suicide barrier is more monetarily practical in preventing bridge-related deaths.

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  • R

    Renae WilberSep 26, 2011 at 11:49 am

    It seems that one of the greatest problems is that society at large is misguided as to the profound reality of depression, hence there is a lack of empathy. As long as there is a lack of education and empathy to this serious illness, people will continue to deny the need for measures to prevent suicide.

    Since the recent suicide of a 15 year old girl who jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge, which could have been prevented, I no longer see the bridge as an attraction to visit, but as a reminder of very real suffering, and a Bridge District that seems unwilling to look at the statistics or make human life a priority. If the tourists really knew what kind of landmark they were really visiting, they too might have second thoughts about the wonders of this Bridge.

    Thank you for a very factual and informed article.
    Renae Wilber

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Potential suicide barrier for Golden Gate Bridge still under political, financial debate