Installation of new blue lights on campus should be completed by the end of next month. The 25 new lights have one important safety feature: two-way calling. The old blue lights only let the person calling talk to Public Safety, and Public Safety couldn't respond. Many people thought the phones were broken.
Although the lights are mostly used for non-emergency calls like requests for directions and help with flat tires, for those in real emergencies it's nice to know that someone is actually there to help.
In addition to the two-way calling, the new lights will have cameras. The cameras, which will be installed by the end of the year, will cover most of campus. Although the cameras offer valuable protection in cases of assault and give law enforcement an additional tool to use when trying to solve crimes, any additional surveillance on campus sounds a lot like Big Brother and loss of student privacy.
University officials and Public Safety should take every precaution to ensure that the cameras aren't abused and instead are used to catch people posing real threats to the safety and quality of life students typically enjoy here at AU.
Furthermore, the university should consider putting cameras where they're actually needed most - in position to catch anyone who pulls a fire alarm.
