Eight out of 109 emergency "blue lights" on campus are currently out of service.

Malfunctioning blue light poles present security risk

By: Neil Manimala

Posted: 10/9/08

A routine inspection by security personnel on Monday discovered eight out-of-order ePhones, commonly known as blue light poles, out of 109 total units spread out around the Hopkins area.

Each ePhone consists of a phone connected to the Campus Safety and Security Homewood Communication Center, a high-powered blue strobe light activated by a red emergency button, and a siren activated by the button. Problems in any of the components could compromise function of the entire unit.

"Each of these ePhones telephone lines are automatically tested on a daily basis by a central computer system located at the Homewood Communication Center which reports any irregularities of function," Executive Director of Campus Safety and Security Edmund Skrodzki said.

"Twice a month a member of the Homewood Communication Center physically tests each ePhone for proper operation of the telephone circuitry and to make sure that the blue strobe and siren work," he said. "Also each week Campus Officers working the overnight shift visually inspect each ePhone to ensure that both the blue light and keypad light are working."

Despite these rigorous standards, however, members of the administration said they have noticed faulty blue light poles before Monday's inspection.

"I noticed two this fall or summer. I called Facilities and I called Mr. Skrodzki. I think what I was told was that he ensured me that his people are asked to do a weekly midnight check of outages. I know that one issue they told me about was that they were out of strobe lights. I wrote that this shouldn't be something they run out of," Vice Provost Paula Burger said.

The University has had an emergency communication system in place since the 1980s with 32 old phones; In 2005, these were replaced with the custom-manufactured Ramtel Emergency Telephones, which comprise the entire current group of units. The ePhones are supposed to be more efficient than the older emergency phones.

"The new ones that were installed go back three years. They've been pretty reliable. We haven't had many problems," Executive Director of Facilities Larry Kilduff said. "This is the first I've heard of so many not working at the same time. We'll get them repaired as soon as possible."

Some students found the inspection results disconcerting regardless of these promises to fix the ePhones. Even security officers agree that out-of-order blue light poles could be detrimental to campus security.

"I give tours for Blue Key and tell kids about these [ePhones] all the time. It's a little unnerving because I trust everything to be working around here. I can't say I ever felt unsafe on campus, but if anything ever came up and the blue light isn't working, that would be a problem," sophomore Danica Sheth said.

"It wouldn't affect us as police officers, but it would affect the person seeking help. The response would be slowed down considerably," an anonymous Hopkins police officer said.

The consideration of blue light pole function has also opened up discussion of other facets of campus security. While Hopkins was rated by Reader's Digest as the safest college campus in the country last year, there are inherent difficulties in ensuring that all elements of a security infrastructure perform their tasks properly.

"It makes me feel sort of unsafe. If you noticed, the regular streetlights aren't working either. It's so dark walking between the AMRs, the FFC and places," freshman Lacroyah Walker said.

This streetlight deficiency coupled with the blue light malfunctions could pose some special threats to students living off campus if they have to traverse long distances.

"I guess it's kind of surprising, and I don't feel any more safe knowing that. Personally, I don't feel any danger, but I live in the Halstead, and it's pretty far," senior Greg Harris said.

The administration makes it clear, though, that all these concerns are duly noted and that this discovery of eight out-of-order blue light poles will remain a rarity.

"We take these matters very seriously. I think we have a campus [where] students feel comfortable walking around at night. This is unusual to have this many [ePhones] out. Having a safe campus is a top priority, so we need to jump on this right away," Burger said.