Michelle Kim

Woman's Deadly Plunge at Mall Renews Calls for Suicide Prevention Measures

After a woman plunged to her death inside the Palisades Center Mall Monday, lawmakers are again calling for improved safety measures there. 

Shoppers stared in horror as the 57-year-old woman plunged straight down from the fourth floor.

"I heard a pop, a sound you would not believe," said Mitch Saul, an off-duty EMT who ran over to render aid. "I saw people rushing over to the railing." 

The woman was the sixth person to apparently commit suicide at the mall since 2005. Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann says while the mall has moved benches away from railings, there's a lot more it could and should be doing. 

"We've talked to them about netting, banners, artwork, whatever it might be," he said. "It's fallen on deaf ears for the past year or so." 

Mall management did not respond to messages from News 4 Tuesday. 

Shopper Nina Servini says she supports the idea of tighter security.

"Have more people watching, have gates, higher rails," she said. "It's scary." 

Clinical psychologist Bill Schmitz Jr. told The Journal News in 2015 that better barriers can stop a person from comitting suicide. 

"If people have easy, convenient access to a means of death, it increases the likelihood that  they will die that way," he said. "Barriers save lives." 

If you are in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting ‘Home’ to 741741.

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