Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Golden Gate could build suicide net with red tape

Faced by the seemingly hopeless cause of getting a suicide barrier installed on the Golden Gate Bridge, perhaps there is a way to retain government inefficiency and save lives.
How about a barrier for the nation’s No. 1 suicide destination made of red tape?
Despite yearly pleas to stop the killing, and this year a petition signed by 100,000 no money has been found to build the barrier.
History buffs say such a barrier was built during the construction of the bridge, and it saved lives.
San Francisco and California do not have the money, and have asked Washington to help.
Last year a record 46 people jumped to their deaths off of the 4,200-foot-long bridge.
Since 1937, when the bridge was completed, more than 1,500 people have died.
Some argue that building a net would mar the bridge’s beauty, though proposed nets would blend in and not be ugly.
Others have said people should have the right to jump, and it might make more sense to post psychiatrists at each end.
Bridge workers have blocked an unknown number of fatal jumps.
There is a four-feet-high rail that wouldn’t even stop Tryion Lannister.
It was originally estimated it would cost $50 million to build a safety net, now $66 million and likely to end up costing $100 million.
The Marin Independent Journal says it is hoped funding will be found by next month.
It is highly unlikely the net can be built without the loss of workers’ lives. Eleven died during construction of the bridge.
In addition to speeding travel, the bridge has brought hundreds of millions of dollars to the Bay Area. Seeing it covered in fog is a marvel to behold.

It also attracts those wanting to end their lives in a beautiful style that escaped them in real life, just as the Royal Gorge does in Colorado.
Figures must be taken with a grain of salt since no one wants to publicize deaths.
Golden Gate is only No. 2 in suicide jumps. The leader if the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge.
Nationally, the number of suicides has risen, partly due to foreclosures, and reached nearly 3 million in 2010.
Sources:
Visit California
Wikipedia
Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge
Marin Independent Journal

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