New barrier installed at Niagara Falls State Park after 2 suicides

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — Visitors to Niagara Falls may notice a significant change at the park’s popular observation deck: a new safety barrier has been installed for the first time in its history.

The move comes just days after two people died by suicide from the deck within the span of a week — one incident occurred last Tuesday and the other on Monday afternoon. In response, Niagara Falls State Parks has put up temporary barriers to keep visitors about four feet back from the deck’s outermost railings.

Park police previously told 2 On Your Side they had responded to more than 30 suicides on the American side of the falls over the past decade. Past safety efforts included round-the-clock surveillance and the addition of a crisis hotline.

But back in December, Capt. Chris Rola with the New York State Park Police told 2 On Your Side he didn’t feel any additional physical barriers were necessary.

2 On Your Side: You don’t think anything more needs to go on top of that?

Rola: I think that you have to make an attempt to get over that railing.

2 On Your Side: Right, people have, though. Is this not a good idea to try to add more to keep those attempts down?

Rola: Yeah, I don’t know.

2 On Your Side: You can’t speak to that at all?

Rola: I think that the railing here right now is good enough in these general areas. I mean, folks want to come out and take a look at the falls too. So to make the railing eight feet high, I mean, you can make the railing eight feet high, too, and if someone climbs over it at eight feet, are we going to make it 10 feet?

But that attitude has clearly changed, leading to this temporary solution. Officials now say they are working with mental health professionals to explore permanent solutions.

“All these people can’t get to the railing because of this railing, due to the incidents that did happen during the last week. I do like the park police on that corner and this corner. I think that’s efficient, but the barriers I don’t think are necessary,” Sheri Surniak, a Niagara Falls visitor, told 2 On Your Side.

Others, like visitor Ron Schuman, expressed cautious support.

“For a while, it’s probably a good idea,” he said. “But then they should take it down so people can enjoy it. Because things don’t happen too often. It’s pretty safe here. I’ve been here many times and I never felt where it’s not a safe place to be.”

Tragic Incident Prompts Safety Upgrade: New Barrier Installed at Niagara Falls State Park Following Two Fatalities