MSA promotes new blue lights

By Kathleen Pointer

Published Aug. 31, 2007

Last fall, the Missouri Students Association installed two additional blue light safety phones at the Hearnes Center, as well as one blue light on the south side of the Student Recreation Complex. Each additional blue light costs $10,000-20,000. Now, MSA hopes to see more blue light systems installed on campus in conjunction with the ongoing construction efforts.

"MSA is lobbying to get (blue lights) installed in all the new areas of campus like the new residence halls," Department of Student Services Director Jordan Paul said. "(MSA) wants the blue lights installed with construction."

Campus Facilities Director Phil Shocklee said the number of blue lights should be increasing as new facilities around campus.

"There are a number already on campus and in many cases, as new facilities are built, (blue lights) are incorporated in," Shocklee said.

Columbia Police Department Chief Jack Watring said the on-campus emergency phones were first installed in 1980. But they still are not the most frequent way the MU Police Department is informed of problems throughout campus, said MU Police Department Capt. Scott Richardson.

And when MU police officers do respond to emergency calls, there isn't always someone there for them to assist. Documents released by MUPD in 2007 state that, to date, 77 blue light calls were classified as Handled By Officer and approximately 120 were classified as Gone on Arrival.

Although many calls end with officers finding no persons present, Richardson said because MUPD only averages one to two calls per day, it isn't a waste of money or resources for them.

In a previous Maneater report, Richardson said no calls originating from blue lights between June 2005 and November 2006 resulted in a formal police report.

Despite the number of calls originating from the blue lights that go unanswered, Paul said the importance of the blue light is present on the campus.

"(Blue lights) serve as (crime) deterrents because you're aware that blue lights are present," he said.

Paul said he feels the blue lights are an effective way for students who need help to reach the necessary assistance.

"Opposed to having blue lights, students would just have to scream and hope," he said.

Shocklee said the system plays an important role on campus.

"(The blue light system) obviously provides a valuable addition to our campus," he said.

The installations MSA wants to continue throughout campus are important to the organization, because units that are in sight could still be out of reach or not completely visible, Paul said.

"Installing additional blue lights is important because just because you can see one, who's to say that you can reach it," Paul said.

The blue lights that are active on campus are checked every semester in a safety walk conducted by MSA. The last walk was held in May.

During the safety walks, MSA divides participants into four groups, and the groups follow a designated route. An MUPD member is part of each group so as to check the various blue lights on the route. If blue lights are found to be functioning incorrectly, the appropriate authorities are contacted.

Despite costs, maintenance needs and the number of calls that do not result in action, keeping blue lights a working and integral part of the MU campus continues to be an important job for MSA.

"Even if we save a few hundred people over the years it is definitely worth the cost," Paul said. "They'll be around for a long time."