Two Palo Alto students died by suicide this year, most recently on Aug. 9, prompting parents to restart a volunteer track-watch program. Parent Debbie Mukamal is leading the effort and expects to begin in early September, recruiting about 1,000 volunteers per week to cover four crossings and two stations around the clock. Shifts will likely be two hours and done in pairs, with training still being finalized. The program began in 2009 after multiple student suicides, temporary parental watches later replaced by city security guards that cost $1.2 million per year and faced professional conduct criticisms.
We can't afford to wait to address this crisis one more day," Mukumal told council on Aug. 18.
"I do it because there is a chance that it might help," mother Karen Gibson said at the time. "And if it helps one child, then it's worth it to me."
"This is the greatest community collaboration going on anywhere ... What you are doing here will go to help solve this problem on a national level," Wong said.
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