The University is planning to revamp the current blue-light security phone system, which telecommunications and security staff say is outdated and unreliable.
According to Lt. George Kibler, transportation manager for Hopkins Security, the blue-light security phones tend to malfunction in wet weather.
"The weather wreaks havoc on them," Kibler said. "That's why we're looking at a total transformation to a product that is hopefully free of these problems."
Hopkins Security performs weekly inspections of the security phones, checking the function of both the blue light on top of the structure and the telephone connection. If a phone fails to connect with the security department, a report is sent to Homewood Telecommunications, which handles all technology voice services for Homewood campus.
Bob Geldmacher, operations manager for Telecom, said security phone malfunctions are top priority.
After the security department sends its report, Geldmacher sends out technicians to assess the problem phones and fix them when necessary.
"We dispatch a technician to assess whether the problem is rain-related or truly an electrical problem," Geldmacher said. "We can replace the phone or its components, and the equipment is usually on stock."
Geldmacher stressed that a large number of malfunctions are due to rain, and technicians sometimes find reported problem phones in working order by the time they reach them.
"It's very much weather related," Geldmacher said. "After an hour, [a problem phone] could work fine."
The tendency for rain-related malfunctions has been the driving force behind efforts to upgrade the security phone system to one that can function in inclement weather.
In a joint effort on the part of the security department, Telecom services and facilities management, tentative plans have been made to utilize an entirely different technology.
"We've looked at a couple of different vendors, we have talked with a number of other universities, and we've looked at a number of different technologies," said Geldmacher.
He continued, saying, "We've settled on one technology in particular, and are looking at which vendor should be used. Not only do we want a good system, but we also have a fiduciary responsibility to get the best value."
Geldmacher said phone malfunctions have always been an issue with the current system.
"As long as the phones have been there, there have always been problems," Geldmacher said.
He added, "Anytime you have a technology outside, where it's subject to weather and vandalism, you're going to have problems. We have seen more blue lights going out recently; it's an aging technology, which is why we're looking to upgrade."
In recent weeks, Hopkins security reports have listed about a dozen malfunctioning security phones, out of a total of 31 phones,on a daily basis.
According to both Kibler and Geldmacher, this was the result of a breakdown in communication between Hopkins Security and Telecom, and the problem has since been remedied.
"It was a case of two ships crossing in the night, but it got resolved," said Geldmacher.
"We immediately sent out technicians to check all the phones. Some [previously reported] problems didn't exist; it had just been a problem when wet. We still took the phone apart and checked."
Currently, the security report lists 10 blue light problems; seven of the problems are related to the actual blue light atop the structure, and three involve a telephone failure.
Geldmacher said the blue lights will be fixed within the next couple of days, but said he is aware of only one malfunctioning phone, positioned in the Garland Lot near Clark Hall.
He said this phone is waiting on a part, and should also be fixed shortly.
Geldmacher noted that any discrepancy between the security report and Telecom's reported status could be due to timing -- reports of malfunctions are sent to Telecom every morning, and Telecom has to report back either verbally or in writing that the problem is fixed before Hopkins Security adjusts its security report.
In addition to having weather related problems, the current security phone system is directly connected to the campus telephone system -- if the campus system is shut down, the emergency phones will be out as well.
Geldmacher said this is another factor being considered in upgrade plans.
According to Kibler, who has been serving as the security representative in project meetings, the most important features of a new security phone system are visibility, accessibility and reliability.
Currently, project plans are being discussed with administrators to determine funding and a time schedule.
Project planners hope to incorporate the system overhaul with plans to add approximately 22 security phones to the newly revamped San Martino Drive area.
"We're trying to marry the two projects, but we also want to make sure it's all done in a timely fashion," Geldmacher said.
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