GC&SU Blue Light Special

Georgia College & State University has completed the installment of 16 new emergency call boxes throughout campus.

The blue lights sit atop 16 new emergency call boxes placed in strategic locations on campus. A telephone line dedicated to GC&SU directly links each Public Safety officer to the emergency boxes.

Ken Vance, director of Public Safety, states that because the emergency call boxes are wired to Public Safety, officers will be able to aid students within a matter of seconds.

“Each box is wired individually to Public Safety , and in a matter of a second or two, a dispatcher is talking to you,” Vance said. “While you’re talking, a car is being sent to your location.”

The new call boxes now allow Public Safety to assist students with the push of one button.

“Push the red button, and you’re instantly in touch with someone who can help,” said Vance. “In fact, you don’t even have to tell your location. Because of the dedicated lines, public safety can pinpoint the location of the box immediately.”

Previously, GC&SU has had only two emergency call boxes located on campus.

GC&SU has had two call boxes for several years on campus, both located in the bus shelters at Centennial Center and Maxwell Student Union.

“That was a starting point, with a goal of getting where we are now,” Vance said. “The call boxes are part of our security plan for the campus. If additional housing goes up, we will have additional call boxes installed.”

The new boxes are located near residence halls, parking areas, and academic areas. The locations of the call boxes were chosen from the input given from public safety, physical plant and the faculty, staff and students of GC&SU.

“The physical plant people and our people got together and suggested locations, then we took those suggestions and went to the Student Government Association for their input,” Vance said. “In fact, three of the locations were changed, and one was added because of their input. It was really a group effort between public safety, the physical plant and faculty, staff and students.”

Gloria Lima, a Spanish and Psychology major, states that although she does not feel completely safe with the call boxes, she does agree with the new addition.

“I really don’t feel safer at night, but I can see how it would make other people feel safe,” Lima said. “It is a nice improvement to our campus, but I hope they are used for the right purpose. Although, I do feel that there are some dark spaces where there need to be call boxes.”

The new call boxes have allowed the university officials to enhance the safety of everyone on and around this campus.

“I just want to thank everybody,” Vance said. “This is a very fine step in the right direction.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Oct 5 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