Latest Guides

Government

Mother’s Emotional Testimony Urges Swift Action to Prevent Suicides at Colorado Street Bridge

Public Safety Committee members did not appear to strongly support horizontal netting concepts

Published on Thursday, July 18, 2024 | 6:23 am
 

During a special meeting of Pasadena’s Public Safety Committee on July 17, 2024, some Committee members appeared to favor plans for a vertical barrier on the historic Colorado Street Bridge to prevent suicides.

The meeting featured emotional testimony from Bonnie Tang, who lost her son Nicholas to suicide at the bridge in 2021. 

“Our son Nicholas, died by suicide on April 27th, 2021 by climbing off the temporary fencing on the Colorado Street Bridge and falling to his death,” Tang said, her voice heavy with emotion.

Tang urged officials to act swiftly on safety measures.


Help is available, all the time:
National Suicide Hotline (988 Lifeline): Dial 988 for 24/7 support
Didi Hirsch 24-hour Crisis Line: 1-877-727-4747 (en Español: 1-800-628-9454)
LGBTQ – The Trevor Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386
Trans Crisis Line (Trans Lifeline): 1-877-565-8860


The discussion was an informational item and no vote was taken or final recommendation made.

Mayor Victor Gordo, Vice Mayor Steve Madison, and Councilmembers Tyron Hampton and Justin Jones attended the meeting, which was held in lieu of the regular July 17 session.

Kris Markarian, acting director of Public Works, presented updates on the project, reporting that the stakeholder committee unanimously rejected horizontal netting options due to safety and engineering concerns.

“No two bridges are alike, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution,” Markarian said, emphasizing the need to consider factors specific to the Colorado Bridge and the city’s operational capabilities.

Markarian also presented results from a public survey, revealing that 90% of respondents were city residents, but 74% had not been engaged in any community meetings about the project.

The Committee discussed various options, including vertical mesh barriers and metal pickets, with public survey results indicating a preference for metal pickets among respondents.

Fire Chief Chad Augustine strongly recommended a vertical barrier on the bridge, citing its effectiveness as a deterrent during moments of crisis.

“From a public safety and suicide deterrent, I absolutely recommend some sort of a barrier device on the bridge,” Augustine said, stressing the importance of such measures.

The Committee also explored the possibility of 24/7 bridge patrols, but Markarian noted the high cost of over $1 million annually for such an option.

Mayor Gordo suggested investigating technology-based solutions, such as camera monitoring systems with speakers that could engage individuals in real-time, similar to those used in other cities for security purposes.

Councilmember Hampton advocated for moving forward with the vertical mesh option and suggested looking into federal grants to fund the project.

“I think the vertical mesh is the most ideal. It seems the least obstructive and I think it keeps the appeal of what it should be known as the Colorado Street Bridge,” Hampton said.

The Committee directed City staff to further refine and develop variations of the top-ranked preliminary concepts, with plans to return to the Historic Preservation Commission and Design Commission before presenting final options.

As the discussion concluded, Mayor Gordo emphasized the importance of breaking the cycle of the bridge being associated with suicide attempts.

“The goal that we all have as a council and as a community… that’s the challenge that we have to rise to the occasion,” Gordo said.

Get our daily Pasadena newspaper in your email box. Free.

Get all the latest Pasadena news, more than 10 fresh stories daily, 7 days a week at 7 a.m.

Make a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 

 

 

 

 

buy ivermectin online
buy modafinil online
buy clomid online
buy ivermectin online