North Charleston, S.C. — In response to a series of tragic incidents, the City of North Charleston has installed safety railings, also known as jump guards, on the overpass of Ashley Phosphate Road. This measure aims to prevent further tragedies and provide a safer environment for residents.
A Personal Mission for Mayor Burgess
For Mayor Reggie Burgess, this initiative holds personal significance. Reflecting on the impact of suicide prevention, Burgess shared how the death of his brother to suicide in 1999 still resonates with him:
“If I could have been in Georgia on I-20 in 1999, I could have prevented my brother from ending his life. That will always be in my mind and in my heart.”
Burgess emphasized the importance of personal welfare and safety, stating that when a leader is truly about service, the well-being of the people should always come first.
Recent Tragedies Prompt Action
Since August 2023, there have been 27 incidents at the Ashley Phosphate overpass. City officials recognized the urgent need for action to prevent more lives from being lost. Mayor Burgess explained:
“When you are about service, then you should always be about the personal welfare of the individuals that you’re serving. So we knew right then that we had a problem.”
Dashcam Rescue and Preventative Measures
In April, a North Charleston police officer was captured on dashcam video rescuing a man off the overpass, a reminder of the urgency behind the decision to install the safety barriers. Mayor Burgess expressed the goal of making the overpass more secure, saying:
“Our whole goal was to harden that bridge so that we can prevent anybody that had a thought of taking their life or ending their lives.”
Additional Support Features and Future Expansion
As part of the city’s efforts, QR codes and call boxes are being added to provide direct access to mental health hotlines, allowing immediate assistance for anyone in need. These features are designed to be just a scan or call away for those in crisis.
City officials are also exploring the potential to extend these life-saving measures to other vulnerable areas, including the Weber Interchange.
Mayor Burgess shared a message of support for those struggling:
“We do not want human beings to give up, hang in there, you know, and we’ll get help to you, but just hang in there for us.”
Crisis Lifeline Available 24/7
For anyone who needs help, the 988 Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7. Individuals can call, text, or chat online at 988lifeline.org for immediate assistance from a skilled counselor.
