Call Boxes Purchased to Provide Immediate Access to Public Safety

What Are They?Call box
Oakwood’s Public Safety Department recently purchased seven (7) Call-24 Wireless call boxes to provide immediate contact for anyone needing assistance directly to Public Safety officers and dispatchers with the push of a button.

When Should They Be Used?
The call boxes should be used in situations involving emergencies and for general assistance which may include reporting suspicious persons and crimes in progress, and for requesting assistance for medical problems, escort service, recovered property, motorist assistance, etc.  In effect, the call boxes should be used as another means of communicating with Public Safety.  The call boxes do not need to be tested in that they are tested weekly by Public Safety.

How Do They Work?
Each call box displays instructions for their use.  Basically, a red button must be pushed to activate the communication link that uses Public Safety’s radio frequency.  The dispatcher and officers on duty will hear a prerecorded announcement that a call box has been activated along with the location.  The dispatcher will respond to the caller to inquire about their emergency or need for assistance.  Officers in the field will be able to listen to the two-way conversation and respond immediately.

Where Are They Located?
The seven (7) call boxes are in the following locations:

* Annex area on Faculty Road.
* Between the Eva B. Dykes Library and Blake Center
* Between Cooper Complex and the Monument to Service
* Between the tennis courts and running track
* West Oaks Apartments
* Southeast of East Hall in the Carter Hall plaza
* McKee Business & Technology Building

The purchase of additional call boxes is being planned as funds become available.