RESOLUTION:

SUPPORTING THE NEED FOR A SUICIDE BARRIER ON THE
GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC’S HEALTH
AND SAFETY, AND URGING THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS TO PROCEED RAPIDLY WITH THE DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCTION OF SUCH A BARRIER

 

WHEREAS, suicide is the ninth leading cause of death in the United States Claiming over 31,000 lives each year; and,

 WHEREAS, Research indicates that most people who commit suicide have an untreated but treatable mental illness, usual clinical depression or heavy alcohol use, or both; and,

 WHEREAS, In San Francisco suicide is the sixth leading cause of death claiming over 950 lives since 1990; and,

 WHEREAS, The Golden Gate Bridge has witnessed over 1200 known suicides in the 60 years since its construction, more than any other site in the entire world; and,

 WHEREAS, There were more suicides from the Golden Gate Bridge in 1997 than there were traffic fatalities on the bridge during the last quarter century; and,

 WHEREAS, Available research indicates that over 90 percent of the individuals prevented from committing suicide on the Golden Gate Bridge do not make another suicide attempt; and,

 WHEREAS, It is now possible to design and construct an aesthetically acceptable barrier that will prevent suicides from occurring on the Golden Gate Bridge without detracting from the view or grandeur of this magnificent architectural wonder; and,

 WHEREAS, San Francisco has a long established commitment to establish and enforce public policies that protect the health, well-being and safety of its residents; and,

 WHEREAS, Other architecturally attractive structures such as the Empire State Building and the Eiffel Tower have eliminated suicides by constructing a suicide barrier; now, therefore, be it

 RESOLVED, That the San Francisco Board of Supervisors does hereby declare that the absence of a suicide barrier on the Golden Gate Bridge is a hazard to the public’s health and safety; and, be it