PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl declared that the city "met the challenge" of assisting jumpers following the Steelers' 21-14 loss to Arizona yesterday. The mayor also assured those fans still wishing to take their own lives that all downtown bridges will remain open for jumpers until noon today.The mayor said that following the game, jumpers were orderly and respectful of the rights of others wishing to commit suicide. "I was very proud of them. They waited their turn in line at each of the city's conveniently located spans," Ravenstahl said.
Jumpers were asked to write the name and telephone number of a contact person with a Steeler yellow-and-black permanent marker on their left forearm before plunging into the water. "That makes our job a lot easier when we fish them out," the mayor explained.
The Allegheny County Bar Association had volunteers standing by to assist jumpers in preparing wills.
Plans by the Mayor's office to retain the services of a clergy of various denominations to discuss alternatives to suicide were scuttled when the American Civil Liberties Union threatened legal action.
