It’s hard not to notice the blue glow of the emergency phones around campus. In addition to phones scattered throughout campus and some of the housing complexes, call boxes are located throughout the academic buildings and in elevators.
While students notice that these boxes are there, most are probably unaware of how they work. The following information, provided by Campus Police, provides guidelines of how to use the emergency boxes.
With a simple ‘HELP’ marking the push button, all that anyone in an unsafe situation has to do is push the knob. The Police Dispatcher will then question what the emergency is. While many students may be concerned about what constitutes an emergency, Sergeant Ammon of Campus Police emphasizes, “They can be used for emergencies of any type. Even a flat tire late at night when you are alone can be an emergency.”
While the blue light boxes are convenient for immediate emergency situations, it may be more prudent to use a cell phone if it is available, as it is important that those who are in an unsafe situation move to a safer place.
For example, Campus Police encourages students who are being chased by someone to push the emergency buttons as they run, so that the police can establish a direction of route.
The importance of the emergency phones should not be taken lightly. Pranksters should keep in mind that, if they push the emergency button in a non-emergency situation, they will be charged with a criminal offense. The Dispatcher immediately comes on the line when the button is pushed and Campus Police will arrive at the phone directly following it being used. Keep in mind that using the phones for purposes other than emergencies wastes Campus Police’s resources.
For more information about the emergency phones, visit http://www.wright.edu/administration/safety/safety/phones.html.
