Police Chief makes progress with Caltrans on Noyo Bridge suicide prevention

The Dec. 7 death of a Fort Bragg teen by probable suicide off the Noyo River Bridge may one day prevent other such deaths with signs, cameras, fencing above the rails, and possibly even a statehouse bill requiring fencing or nets on bridges over 80 feet.

Caltrans plans suicide warning signs on the approaches to the Noyo River Bridge and eventually may put fences above the 4-foot scenic rails, although Police Chief Neil Cervenka told the Fort Bragg City Council Monday night the fencing could take years. Just weeks after the death, Cervenka was able to arrange a quick meeting with Caltrans with the help of the area’s two statehouse representatives, Assemblymember Chris Rogers and State Sen. Mike McGuire. Cervenka, Mendocino County Supervisor Bernie Norvell, and Fort Bragg Mayor Jason Godeke attended a Zoom meeting with three Caltrans regional directors.

“It was a very productive meeting with Caltrans. They’re going to do it in phases. We’re going to start with crisis signs, meaning, if you’re in crisis, the sign displays a local crisis number to call the Redwood Community Services Crisis Line. They’re looking at cameras on the bridge that use AI (Artificial Intelligence)  that they’re testing elsewhere. These cameras detect the body language of a person in crisis, and it would immediately alert law enforcement, so we could get out there. And lastly, there would be a fence on the bridge extending up past those 42-inch rails. Much higher, so you can’t just go over the edge.” Cervekna said. 

Cervenka said in an interview later that text for the signs has not been finalized.

“The signs will be months, unknown if or when AI cameras will be installed.  They are still being tested elsewhere, so the cameras are not even available yet,” he said. Cervenka said two meetings have happened with Caltrans leadership and another meeting is planned with Caltrans next week.

“I had a great meeting with Assembly Member Rogers on Saturday and discussing bringing forth the bill to require Caltrans to install suicide barriers or prevention methods on all bridges over 80 feet built in California, so he may be bringing that bill forward, Cervenka said. We reached out to Rogers’ office but have not heard back yet. 

“Another point for the Noyo bridge that’s particularly concerning is the homeland security aspect, where people on top of the bridge could drop heavy objects under the boats below,” Cervekna said.

“It is a commercial fishing harbor, and we do have the Coast Guard as well. This is a very narrow channel that boats have to go through. So if a 50-pound sharp object were dropped on a boat from 110 feet up, it would do a lot of damage to the boat and probably kill somebody on the boat. So we have a couple of different avenues that we’re approaching on this, but it’s going very well with Caltrans.

Cervenka said there have been two meetings with Caltrans and a followup meeting next week.”This is exceptionally encouraging that something will be done with the Noyo Bridge and other bridges coming up.’

The Albion River Bridge is scheduled for replacement over the next several years. It is actually about 10 feet higher than the Noyo River Bridge.

There are hopes the movement to make high bridges difficult to access for the suicidal could go statewide. Scientific studies have found that once the suicidal have been thwarted from easy ways to kill themselves and can get treatment for mental health conditions, they can live full lives and may never attempt suicide again.

“I had a great meeting with Assemblymember Rogers on Saturday and discussed bringing forth the bill to require Caltrans to install suicide barriers or prevention methods on all bridges over 80 feet built in California, so he may be bringing that bill forward.” 

Rogers’ office is working on the idea.

“The Assemblymember and Police Chief Neil did have a discussion about possible legislation and we are in the process of vetting his proposal. It’s a little premature to say we are carrying the bill as we are still determining our legislative package and this request came in after our Legislative Counsel deadline, said Meredith McNamee, chief of staff for Rogers.

“If it makes sense to move this legislation this year, we’ll put out a press release about it. I’ve added you to our distribution list.”

Stay tuned, Cervenka will have more updates.

“We have a couple of different avenues that we’re approaching on this, but it’s going very well with Caltrans on that.”