Blue Light: Emergency phones top off a year of enhancing WC safety measures

Checking out one of the newly installed Blue Light emergency phones on the mall are, from the left, Emmi Stevens, Reece Smith and Rikki Rinehart.

Submitted photos

WC alumnus Lee Hieronymus

Submitted photos

The paramount importance of students’ safety and security prompts Wilmington College to constantly reviews its protocols for providing students with a safe campus environment. WC took another major step forward this spring with the installation of five new "Blue Light" phones at strategic locations throughout the campus.

The nine-foot-high towers, which feature a blue beacon strobe for easy visibility, accommodate persons making calls to Campus Safety if they witness an emergency or find themselves in a threatening situation. The solar-powered phones have been placed throughout the campus in locations convenient for students, faculty, staff and guests to access if needed.

Alumnus Lee Hieronymus donated funds via the College's "Together We Rise" fundraising campaign to cover this latest campus safety measure. A member of the Class of 1969, he has a background in safety services and is a longtime supporter of his alma mater.

Activated by pressing the red button, the blue light will flash and the phone will dial Campus Safety; upon the officer's pick-up, the phone will announce the location of the emergency phone (i.e. "Blue Light Phone – Austin Pickett"). The conversation will then be enabled.

This new measure complements the College's 24/7 Campus Safety staff, as well as outdoor lighting and security cameras. Student residence halls have been accessible only with residents’ ID cards for many years. Effective this year, the campus buildings open to the College community automatically lock their doors at 6 p.m. on weeknights and all day on weekends. They are accessible to students, faculty and staff with ID cards on evenings and weekends. Exceptions include evenings when public events are held on campus such as sports competitions, lectures, theatre and other activities open to the general public. Then, the doors at those respective facilities will be unlocked.