City Committee Wants Further Review of Recommended Suicide Prevention Barriers for Colorado Street Bridge

Pasadena’s Public Safety Committee has deferred action on proposed design concepts for suicide prevention barriers for the Colorado Street Bridge as it wants further review and additional public input on the Department of Public Work’s recommendations.

During its meeting on Wednesday, the committee members agreed that they are not ready yet to make a decision that will be forwarded to the City Council.

“I appreciate the work of staff but I tend to feel that we are not ready yet to make a decision. Either we have not struck on the right solution yet or we have not had enough process yet to identify if perhaps the right solution is in front of us.”

“I think it would be appropriate to go back to the community and try to provoke more input, more discussion,” said Councilmember Steve Madison.

Mayor Victor Gordo shared the same view, saying the committee needs more time before it decides whether or not it will approve the staff recommendation.

“I understand that we’d like to begin to narrow the process but I don’t think we are ready to do that. The fact is we have to get this right for safety purposes, for all of the reasons we’ve discussed. That is such an iconic bridge, it’s important to act to protect lives and I just think I feel strongly that we have to take the time to get it right.”

“In my view that means sending this back for reviewing more options.”

The staff has asked the committee consider whether or not to recommend to the City Council the implementation of either two of its three concepts, “Option A,” a vertical frame with a curved mesh or “Option B,”  a curved barrier with a curved mesh, saying the first two provide the same level of protection.

The two concepts, which were developed through a public outreach process which began in August 2019, got the most votes from the public, according to an online survey conducted by city staff.

To date, the staff said it has expended so far a total of $1,050,000 million on the design of suicide prevention barriers.

During the meeting, Gordo said enclosing the full bridge should not be ruled out by the staff as this may provide more protection.

Agreeing with Gordo, Councilmember Tyron Hampton said a full enclosure of the bridge, which was initially suggested by Councilmember John Kennedy, is a “great idea” and should be considered by staff, saying this would be the only way to prevent people from jumping off the bridge.

Hampton also suggested temporarily manning the bridge with at least two people to monitor pedestrians for suicidal behavior while discussions on design concepts are still ongoing.

In 2017, a temporary 10-foot tall chain link fence was installed at each of the bridge alcoves to prevent suicide incidents. A year after, a 10-foot chain link fence spanning the entire length of the bridge was installed to further prevent suicide incidents.

Following the installation of the fence, Pasadena Police Department recorded 10 suicide incidents in 2017, four in 2018, one in 2019, zero in 2020 and one in 2021.

“If we have [an] extra person on the bridge looking out for these types of things, I think it would be helpful,” Hampton said.

City Manager Steve Mermell disagreed with the suggestion due to its costs.

“I don’t think that is completely feasible, I think the better solution would be to leave the temporary structure up until such time that a different solution has arrived at,” Mermell said.

Gordo however said the suggestion to man the bridge must not be dismissed outright, saying all suggestions to prevent suicide incidents must be looked into.

During the meeting, Kennedy has tried to urge the committee to take action on the staff recommendation, specifically, to decide a time frame on public discussions and review by staff on all options so the committee will be able to soon present to the City Council its recommendations.

“I would hope that my colleagues will put a time frame on that, so it doesn’t take another six months, and we will have something that we can present comfortably — but at least present  — to the total council,” said Kennedy.

Despite saying that the matter has been under discussion for “too long” Mermell disagreed on putting a timeline on public discussions and review on the matter.

Instead, he asked the committee to give staff some time to review matters raised by the members.

“I do think three months is probably too aggressive. We’ve been at this for a couple of years now, which is too long, but it’s a very thoughtful endeavor.”

“Obviously, the phase of the effort will naturally slow a little bit but we will continue and can continue to explore other alternative options returning back to this committee as appropriate for feedback,” Mermell said.