Officials report that the suicide prevention net at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco has been successfully finished. Since the bridge’s opening in 1937, approximately 2,000 individuals have tragically jumped to their deaths from it.
Families who have lost loved ones to suicide at the bridge have advocated for a solution for many years. The suicide deterrent system, commonly referred to as the net, has now been installed along about 95% of the 1.7-mile (2.7 km) span. The Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District stated that the net’s purpose is to decrease the number of deaths resulting from individuals jumping off the bridge.
They emphasized that the net, a proven design, not only deters people from jumping but also serves as a symbol of care and hope for those in despair. Additionally, if necessary, it offers individuals a second chance. Approved in 2014, the stainless steel net didn’t see the commencement of work until four years later. Despite approval, resistance emerged due to concerns about its impact on the view and perceived high costs. Among the skeptics-turned-supporters was Kevin Hines, one of approximately 40 documented survivors of bridge jumps, now a dedicated advocate for suicide prevention.
Hines, who actively campaigned for the net, expressed gratitude, stating that if it had been in place during his crisis, he would have received immediate assistance, avoiding severe injuries and the challenging path he subsequently faced.
The Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District reported positive outcomes even before the net’s completion. While the average annual suicides at the Golden Gate Bridge numbered around 30, in 2023, during the net’s construction, there were 14 confirmed suicides—a reduction of over half, according to the district’s statement.
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