CalTrain Hopes Signs Will Prevent Suicides
MOUNTAIN VIEW (KCBS) - Officials at CalTrain are stepping up suicide prevention efforts along the tracks in Mountain View. The agency is launching a pilot program to install crisis hotline signs along the railroad tracks.
CalTrain is installing 260 suicide prevention signs, 500 feet apart, along a 10-mile stretch of track between Menlo Park and Mountain View.
"This a pilot project to test the effectiveness of the signs," said spokesperson Christine Dunn.
KCBS Matt Bigler Reporting:
There were 19 fatalities on CalTrain tracks last year, 15 of them suicides. Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss said something needs to be done.
"This is a dramatic problem that we have, and one that we think has real opportunities for helping people who are considering suicide," she said.
But one woman who works for another transit agency says she's not sure the signs will be effective.
"I truly believe if someone is intent taking their life, then that's what they're going to do," she said.
CalTrain is partnering with the American Association of Suicidology to conduct the sign study.
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