Posted on June 11 at 7:46 p.m.

Despite the high profile big name support for the barriers, I cannot support the idea in it's current iteration. I don't really believe a barrier will actually prevent a suicide from happening. At best it will only prevent a suicide from occurring on the bridge.

I agree that drivers should pay attention to driving especially on the 154. Still, there are many passengers that should be able to enjoy the beautiful view from the bridge.

Rather than using a steel mesh or fence barrier, why not use appropriately thick non reflective tempered glass squares somehow anchored together. There might be some maintenance issues but the view is preserved and suicides from Cold Springs Bridge are ostensibly prevented.

I'm no engineer or architect, maybe it's too much weight or maybe it would be too costly. Maybe no one ever thought of exploring this type of solution. Maybe this could be a win - win. Or maybe it can't be done that way. I'd be curious to know. If it could be done, I might even be willing support the idea.

Clearly though, building this barrier in it's current form is a contentious issue that will proceed without much (if any) regard to public input. Therein lies another tragedy of our "representative government".

On Caltrans Gives Public Glimpse of Cold Spring Suicide Barrier

Posted on June 11 at 11:21 a.m.

This barrier is just a Cal-Trans boondoggle. People bent on suicide will kill themselves without the dramatics described by "sevendolphins". They will jump before law enforcement arrives. If they can't climb the barrier, they will find another venue to commit the act.

According to a report by Garret Glascow (http://www.polsci.ucsb.edu/faculty/glasg...) there exists no data to support the premise that barriers prevent suicide in general. Evidently, the barriers only prevent suicide at that particular location.

Law enforcement officials should have procedures for dealing with potential jumpers that do not put their officers at risk. They probably do. That said, I'm sure that heroic efforts are not unknown in these situations and I applaud an officers willingness to risk their life to save another.

But I doubt that suicide prevention was ever the point of building the barrier. After all, in politics and government, "It's all about the Benjamins". (With apology to Puff Daddy).

On Caltrans Gives Public Glimpse of Cold Spring Suicide Barrier

Posted on February 21 at 11:04 a.m.

Rickey was indeed a happy yet troubled soul. I was dismayed by his story from the first time I met him a week or so after his run in with the SB police.

I saw Rickey regularly at the county health clinic where he would come for routine appointments or to pick up a prescription or two. He always had a smile on his face even when he felt ill.

I've thought of him occasionally since I left SB in 2003. I'm saddened by his passing. He must be in a better place though. Good bye Rickey. Thank you for bringing joy to my life each time I saw you.

On Rickey Ederington 1953-2007