A petition gathered over 1,000 signatures after it was created by a student late Monday night to advocate for blue light emergency phones on UW-Madison’s campus.
“Blue lights” are a system of emergency stations that feature alarm buttons which connect the user directly to authorities or campus safety personnel.
The petition calls for a “network of buttons on campus, with no more than a 30-second walk between each, that calls the police when pressed,” and points out that many universities use this system to improve campus safety.
Similar systems are currently in use at other UW system campuses such as La-Crosse and Milwaukee.
The creator of the petition, UW-Madison freshman Sophie Morris, said she first learned about the “blue light” system when she was touring campuses as a senior in high school.
“Given the recent incidents around campus, I just feel like it really can’t hurt to have this system,” Morris said. “To have that extra safety measure could help a lot of people.”
The petition surfaced over a week after two reported assaults occurred during the first weekend of February in the Langdon Street area.
There are currently 140 emergency phones across campus, according to the UW-Madison Police Department website. The emergency call boxes are distributed in different locations, including blue light phones near the Lakeshore Path and Picnic point, in parking ramps and many campus buildings.
Morris pointed out that she was aware of the multiple existing emergency phones on campus, but added that the issue goes beyond campus life, specifying the State Street and Langdon Street areas.
“I think what’s really complicated about the situation in general is that the places that are the sketchiest are technically off-campus,” Morris said.
Morris added that she hopes UWPD, the Madison Police Department and the university can work together to improve safety measures both on and off campus.
