New emergency call boxes make walking on campus safe

Campus safety has been dramatically improved at Georgia College & State University with the installation of 16 emergency call boxes around campus.

GC&SU Campus Public Safety Director Ken Vance is very excited about this new project, saying the campus is moving toward a more advanced safety plan for its students.

“We need all the technological help we can get,” said Vance.

One call box was installed during spring semester on front campus, between Terrell Hall and Bell Hall. After a trial run, the call boxes were approved, and the GC&SU Physical Plant and Campus Safety began installing 15 other call boxes around campus. The remaining boxes will be implemented throughout fall semester.

Vance said he is grateful to the dedication of the Physical Plant workers.

“The Physical Plant has worked really hard to get this done,and they all deserve credit,” said Vance.

When students use the call boxes, they will automatically be connected to an operator in the Public Safety office. Even if students are not able to speak when they use a call box, the operator will know the exact location of the call box used, and officers will be sent to the scene. Vance said he is aware that many students may try to use the call boxes as pranks, but he added he hopes they will not do so.

“Students caught using the call boxes as a prank will be charged and prosecuted,” said Vance.

Laura Russo, GC&SU sophomore and Bell Hall resident, said she is happy to see the call boxes going up on campus.

“It is nice to be able to walk around after dark and know I can get help right away if I need it,” said Russo.

Commuting students were also considered in the placement of the call boxes. Each of the parking lots on campus have a call box near them. GC&SU senior Bridget Larsen, a commuter, said she feels the call boxes are a great addition to the campus.

“I will feel a lot more safe walking to my car after night classes and going to the computer lab,” said Larsen.

The 16 call boxes will be in full working order before the end of the month and are placed in several different locations around campus. Students will find call boxes near parking lots, residence halls, bus stops, classroom buildings, and the library.

For more information about the new emergency call boxes on campus, contact Ken Vance in the Public Safety Office at 445-4400 or 445-4054.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 7 2001. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry