In case of emergency

In a Feb. 23 incident report, a victim of a violent crime on campus reported that she did not use an emergency call box during the incident because she did not trust it. In a security walk on Feb. 5, key figures on campus identified only one call box, in the University Hall parking lot, that did not work. It has since been repaired. The call boxes placed around campus and in buildings are there to help students in dangerous situations who are unable to contact the police with a cell phone; however, they are not just for emergencies. University Police Chief Mack Seckinger said students can use them for a variety of reasons, including asking for an escort from a car to a building and for vehicle assistance. There is also one in the Fine Arts photo lab in case a student has an accident with chemicals. The systems are set up on poles around campus and are enclosed in boxes. When students need help, they push the black door handle on the box to open it, and then they can communicate with the police dispatcher on campus by pressing a button to speak. If the person does not have time to stop and explain the situation, simply opening the door will activate the call to the University Police Department. The dispatcher will send out an officer to investigate the situation if no one responds. Seckinger said that sometimes an individual will activate the call box by accidentally bumping into one while walking by it. Sometimes strong thunder and falling tree branches will also activate it. The UPD checks out all incidents. On March 25, the campus police allowed The Inkwell to test the call box in front of Ashmore Hall on Science Drive, and the door to the call box was jammed. Seckinger said this occurs sometimes due to the weather but that applying oil to the door fixed the problem immediately. On March 28, officer Tony Johnson conducted a check of call boxes on campus, and he said that all but one was functioning correctly. During the previous check on March 11, the UPD requested a work order on one call box near University Crossings. The call box is on a sidewalk that connects University Drive and the Armstrong Center. Hugh Justice of Plant Operations said that call box, which the UPD calls Call box No. 2, has continual problems functioning. It is marked with an "out-of-order" sign, and Justice said it will be sent to the manufacturer for electronics work. He added that when it is removed for repairs a bag will be placed over the empty box to indicate that it is not working. In related news, on March 7, the UPD implemented a new policy to inform students of crime on campus. At the department, the police have posted a daily activity log, which lists all crime-related information occurring on campus. Students can also access the log online at http://www.police.armstrong.edu.