San Francisco Wackos At It Again

One of the most stunning sights in San Franciso is the Golden Gate Bridge spanning the San Fran Bay. It can also be a sad symbol of desperation as each year people decide to end their torture by jumping into the murky depths. It is estimated that since the bridge opened sixty years ago, over 1,200 suicides have occurred there.

Just recently a documentary came out showing people climbing over the edge and jumping. It was a disturbing and anguished testimony to it's sad history.

Now, San Franciso has decided to do something about the suicides. It will be erecting a mesh barrier spanning the length of the bridge at an estimated cost of $40 - $50 million.

Now, I realize that suicide is something we all feel we should do everything we can to stop. However, if a person wants to commit suicide, they will, with whatever means they can.

Actually, if I had to go, I would think the bridge was a good way to go. Clean, relatively easy, no evidence. I know I'm close to the edge to say that, that it's something most people would never talk about, but I'm being truthful. I've never felt suicidal and I pray I never do. But, imagine the desperation, the utter hopelessness, in a person who is willing to commit suicide. How sad. How terrible.

Still, I wonder, is it worth $45 + million dollars to erect a barrier for these people? For the next sixty years, if the same number of people commit suicide, it will cost $375,000 per person who didn't commit suicide on the bridge. It won't guarantee that they will try it somewhere else or by some other means. And, that's assuming the same number will commit suicide, and that the mesh barrier will remain in place, with no maintenance, repair, or replacement, for the next sixty years.

Wouldn't it be better to monitor the bridge and catch the people before they jump? Or, put the $45 million into mental health facilities? Or, erect alarms? Isn't there some other way to prevent this from happening?

Once again, government does not look at all the possibilities. And, they are willing to throw money at a problem at the expense of the taxpayer. In this case, $375,000 for each suicide in the next sixty years.

In my opinion, this needs to be looked at further...