-
- Traffic cones and caution tape deter people from elevator lobby on the parking structure top floor. Josh Mehay | Washtenaw Community College
-
- Barrier keeps the door to the fourth floor of the structure securely sealed. Josh Mehay | Washtenaw Community College
| If you or anyone you know is thinking about suicide, please contact: |
|
By Lilly Kujawski
Deputy Editor
WCC is requesting prices for a possible installation of fencing on the top deck of the parking structure. The move follows the recent suicide attempt that occurred on Oct. 22.
The 23-year-old woman who intentionally stepped off the parking structure was initially in critical condition. Her status was subsequently updated to stable.
The woman is not a current student and withdrew from her classes early into the fall semester, according to Brendan Prebo, associate vice president of marketing and communications at WCC.
The top deck of the parking structure is still closed, said Prebo.
The doors from both of the stairwells are sealed and a snow fence and traffic barrels have been placed in front of the car ramp leading up to the fourth floor.
“We’re aware of the incident that happened, obviously, so we’re paying particularly close attention in terms of patrols,” Prebo said.
“We’re looking at options in terms of how we can make that area more safe and secure, and that may involve some construction of some type of fencing up there or some type of barrier structure up there,” Prebo said.
A request for proposals was issued on Nov. 13 from the WCC Purchasing Department. It asked for pricing for six feet high chain link fencing that could be mounted to the parking structure.
Responses were due Friday, Nov. 16. The request referred to fencing proposals as an “urgent need for the College.”
“Priority may be given to the firm with the capacity to complete the job in the soonest timeframe,” read the request.
The cameras within the parking structure are monitored by dispatch public safety officers, Prebo said.
Currently, there are two cameras located on the northeast and northwest sides of the top level of the structure, as well as one in the direction of the Morris Lawrence building.
The actual jump was not visible on camera footage because the woman walked out of view before stepping off, according to Scott Hilden, chief of public safety.
Hilden said he would like to install more cameras on the top floor of the structure and enhance the rest of the cameras on campus.
“We take the safety and security of our students and all of our visitors extremely seriously, and we work to maintain a very safe and secure environment,” Prebo said. “We do have health services at the college, we have counselors that students can talk to if they feel like they need to talk to counselors.”
