The new Pixar Pals parking structure under construction next to the Mickey and Friends structure at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA, on Monday, March 25, 2019. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Disneyland has increased security and preventative measures at its parking structures after the third death by suicide in less than a year at the garage complex where thousands of visitors enter and exit the Anaheim theme park every day.
“In an effort to deter this type of tragedy, we have long had multi-layered security protocols in place at our parking structures, which we have substantially enhanced over time,” according to Disneyland officials. “However, as with all of our security and safety measures, we don’t discuss specifics so as not to compromise our efforts.”
Disneyland security has increased patrols in marked vehicles and on bicycles in the Mickey and Friends and Pixar Pals parking structures along with uniformed officers posted at the perimeter of the upper levels of the garages, according to MousePlanet.
Disneyland security guards are actively watching people who come to the top levels of the garages, approaching anyone who starts walking toward the edge and calling for backup if necessary, according to WDW News Today.
The most recent death by suicide in mid-November followed deaths in February 2023 and December 2022 at the Disneyland parking structures, according to Anaheim Police officials.
There have been six reported suicides since 2010 at the Disneyland parking garages. The most recent deaths involved a woman from out of state and two local men.
The six-level Mickey & Friends parking structure with 10,000 spaces was the world’s largest parking structure when it opened in 2000. The adjacent 5,500-space Pixar Pals garage opened in 2019.
There are more than 47,000 deaths by suicide each year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 2% of suicides involve people who jump or fall to their deaths.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 on your phone or by visiting 988lifeline.org.
Help and resources are available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Originally published at Brady MacDonald