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The University of Maine is employing state-of-the-art technology to deter crime and enhance emergency response on campus. Sixteen new call boxes were installed last summer and are scattered across campus. Two additional units were recently installed near the Cutler Health Center and the bike path between the tennis courts and University Park.
“The blue lights act as sentinels for students and community members alike,” said Chief Noel March, director of public safety. “They can easily see where their closest source of help is from any part of campus-resident quads, parking lots, the Steam Plant lot to York Village and everywhere in between.”
Much of the credit goes to UMaine’s upper administration, specifically Provost Robert Kennedy, for investing $50,000 from the technology fund into the system, March said.
The old yellow call boxes were not user-friendly, March said.
“One had to push a button to talk and release the button to hear the response. In an emergency situation, these were not practical,” he said.
However, the placement of the old call boxes on campus is still relevant today, so the new emergency units were installed near the old call boxes, March said.
Each of the new units is hardwired to a telephone line. Push one button, and it automatically dials 911 and connects through an intercom to Public Safety’s dispatch center 24 hours per day, seven days per week. In addition, the software provides the call box’s exact location.
“Pushing the red emergency button switches the blue light to strobe mode, making it easier for emergency personnel to locate the person needing assistance,” March said.
The posts are brown, blending into the campus environment, and are clearly marked “EMERGENCY.”
“I have received many compliments and comments of gratitude and comfort from students in wake of the abduction of a Colby College student and her subsequent death,” March said.
Since the beginning of the fall semester, the call boxes have been put to use, March said.
“A student was cut and bleeding and used the call box to summons assistance and received immediate medical attention,” he said.
March also expressed appreciation for UMaine’s telecommunications department, specifically coordinator Jerry Glidden, for digging up the ground and installing the call boxes.
In comparison, the University of New Hampshire has 80 emergency boxes, and March said additional call boxes throughout the UMaine campus would be beneficial.
“By working together-telecommunications, provost, students and Public Safety – the partnership comes together to help enhance the safety of the UMaine community,” March said. “Working together we can achieve great things.”
Bangor Daily News