Title
Resolution in Support of Improved Safety Barriers at Parking Decks
Body
Whereas, In 2017, after a series of deaths resulting from jumps from city parking structures, City Council unanimously approved a resolution requesting that DDA erect a safety barrier;
Whereas, The Council resolution requested a "temporary barrier if permanent structures are delayed for any reasons";
Whereas, The DDA responded to the 2017 resolution with a temporary solution, covering several openings on upper floors with chain-link fencing;
Whereas, In February 2020, a suicide occurred at another structure from a floor below where temporary, chain-link barriers had been erected;
Whereas, A City parking structure was recently the site of a fatal or near-fatal jump by someone who climbed over one of the chain-link fences;
Whereas, Local advocate Dr. John Greden, former head of the U-M Depression Center, has previously testified before Council that many suicides result from short-term impulses or situations, so that deterring an attempt will save lives; and
Whereas, Safety barriers that are more secure but more expensive have been erected in some cities, including Grand Rapids;
RESOLVED, That City Council strongly urges the DDA to act on an emergency basis, to identify available barriers that are far less able to be circumvented, and to install barriers at any parking deck levels from which a suicide attempt could result in death or serious injury, with special attention to structures from which suicides and attempts have occurred.
Sponsored by: Councilmembers Nelson, Griswold, and Hayner