Police to add more blue light stations
Issue date: 11/10/09 Section: News
University of Memphis police services will install three new emergency blue light stations in the central part of campus this spring when the new University Center opens.
Although there are more than 30 blue light stations around campus, the area near the new UC and the Administration Building doesn't have any stations, which are equipped with telephones, alarms and cameras for student safety.
Student traffic in the central part of campus is expected to increase with the opening of the new UC, which will have The University's only 24-hour computer lab.
Sophomore Punita Kapadia said the stations, which often go unnoticed, are necessary for students' safety.
"There is danger everywhere," she said. "If something were to happen and you're in that area, you're going to need someone to call."
Derek Myers, deputy director of public safety at campus police services, said students use emergency stations "a few times a week." But most students who find themselves in trouble use their cell phones rather than the stations, he said.
Sophomore commuter student Celeste Dixon agreed with Myers, saying she did not see the need for more emergency stations.
"I don't see much of a use for them because people have cell phones," she said. "It would be a waste of money."
Myers said the ultimate goal of the stations was to make help a push-of-a-button away.
"What we'd like is to not see any gaps (between phones)," he said. "I want to be able to look from one phone to another."
The Student Government Association passed a bill last week that recommended constructing more emergency stations in the central part of campus.
SGA speaker pro-tempore Cory Higdon, the sponsor of the bill, said he began pushing for the bill after he noticed the scarcity of phones in the area.
"I feel like The U of M does a really good job keeping students safe," Higdon said. "There is a lot more that we can do, though, to keep it that way."
Myers said that, in addition to the new stations, old stations were being replaced and upgraded to have cameras. There are currently more than 300 cameras, including the ones in emergency stations, around campus.
Yesterday, The U of M Faculty Senate honored police services and director Bruce Harber for their safety initiatives in October.
Andrew Mintner, freshman mathematics education major, said he has never felt unsafe on campus because he tries to be aware of his surroundings and walks in groups.
"I wouldn't walk around campus at 3 a.m.," Mintner said.
Rose Baker, freshman art history major, said she has been on campus as early as 3 a.m. alone.
"During the day, I feel safe, but at night I feel kind of weird," she said.
Baker said she doesn't usually go in the central area of campus, but more blue lights would help students feel safe.
Although there are more than 30 blue light stations around campus, the area near the new UC and the Administration Building doesn't have any stations, which are equipped with telephones, alarms and cameras for student safety.
Student traffic in the central part of campus is expected to increase with the opening of the new UC, which will have The University's only 24-hour computer lab.
Sophomore Punita Kapadia said the stations, which often go unnoticed, are necessary for students' safety.
"There is danger everywhere," she said. "If something were to happen and you're in that area, you're going to need someone to call."
Derek Myers, deputy director of public safety at campus police services, said students use emergency stations "a few times a week." But most students who find themselves in trouble use their cell phones rather than the stations, he said.
Sophomore commuter student Celeste Dixon agreed with Myers, saying she did not see the need for more emergency stations.
"I don't see much of a use for them because people have cell phones," she said. "It would be a waste of money."
Myers said the ultimate goal of the stations was to make help a push-of-a-button away.
"What we'd like is to not see any gaps (between phones)," he said. "I want to be able to look from one phone to another."
The Student Government Association passed a bill last week that recommended constructing more emergency stations in the central part of campus.
SGA speaker pro-tempore Cory Higdon, the sponsor of the bill, said he began pushing for the bill after he noticed the scarcity of phones in the area.
"I feel like The U of M does a really good job keeping students safe," Higdon said. "There is a lot more that we can do, though, to keep it that way."
Myers said that, in addition to the new stations, old stations were being replaced and upgraded to have cameras. There are currently more than 300 cameras, including the ones in emergency stations, around campus.
Yesterday, The U of M Faculty Senate honored police services and director Bruce Harber for their safety initiatives in October.
Andrew Mintner, freshman mathematics education major, said he has never felt unsafe on campus because he tries to be aware of his surroundings and walks in groups.
"I wouldn't walk around campus at 3 a.m.," Mintner said.
Rose Baker, freshman art history major, said she has been on campus as early as 3 a.m. alone.
"During the day, I feel safe, but at night I feel kind of weird," she said.
Baker said she doesn't usually go in the central area of campus, but more blue lights would help students feel safe.