Quick work by the Town of Ulster Police Department and the finesse of two of its officers stopped an unidentified 25-year-old woman from using the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge as an instrument of death last Thursday, Nov. 29. Contacted by sharp-eyed tollbooth employees, officers quickly broke off from a nearby accident investigation to arrive at the bridge in less than two minutes. The woman, who according to police had gained access to the span on foot, had used her cell phone to call her mother and say that that she was jumping off the bridge. The mother then called 911, but by the time the ensuing call came across the police radio, officers had already arrived at the scene and were able to report that the woman was safely in their custody.
“Luckily we had a car that was able to break free from a call and another unit was able to carry on,” said Ulster Police Chief Paul Watzka, who said that Sgt. Don Koeppen and officer Cory Kilfoyle responded and spoke to the woman, consoling her.
“They did an excellent job,” said the chief, noting that: “officers have some training in dealing with people in this frame of mind.” The policemen stayed with the woman until an ambulance came to transport her to Benedictine Hospital, he said.
Let your fingers do the walking
While it is forbidden to cross the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge on foot and enjoy the views, bicyclists have in the past obtained special permission from the New York State Bridge Authority (NYSBA, which can be reached at 691-7245) for use of the bridge. The crossing would certainly be dangerous for pedestrians in its current configuration, with no sidewalks and a relatively modest at-grade apron wide enough for an automobile.
In contrast, however, a 2007 state Bridge Authority report titled: “A Comprehensive Plan for Suicide Prevention” states flatly: “It is neither appropriate nor sufficient to deny access to our bridges for pedestrians. These spans are historic and integral components of the federally designated Hudson River Heritage Area.” The NYSBA report, which can be accessed on the Internet, continues — somewhat disparagingly to those who would restrict access: “The typical layman reaction is to call for barriers to prevent suicide. While physical barriers have an appeal to the common observer, the actual effectiveness of physical barriers in preventing suicide is circumspect and the engineering and operational aspects of physical barriers is frequently questionable.”
Subsequent to two successful suicide attempts earlier this year, the authority has installed special phones on the bridge, which are connected to the federally funded National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and are appropriately marked. Those in emotional distress or in a suicidal crisis don’t have to actually drive onto the bridge to stop and make a call, however. One can call any time (1-800-273-TALK) from anywhere in the nation and speak to a trained worker who will listen to and assist the caller in getting the help they need. Again, the lifeline is federally funded so the caller may have already paid for it.
That phone number is correct and, just to ensure that someone whose patience is at an end wouldn’t be connected to Windows Vista Technical Support, Triage & Advertising and placed on endless and perhaps fatal hold, a trial call to the hotline was placed and revealed a short message after which the caller was routed to a counselor. Callers can be connected to someone who speaks English or Spanish or who is familiar with the experiences of veterans. On the trial occasion, at 2:19 a.m., the phone was answered by a very nice woman with a pleasant voice and disposition who had no script, did not attempt an interrogation, and was kind enough to answer a few questions about the hotline.