Everything you need to know about UChicago's BlueLight system
FEBRUARY 24, 2023
If you’ve been to the University of Chicago campus, you’ve probably noticed tall white pillars capped with blue light bulbs.
These are called BlueLights and are part of the emergency phone system on campus. There are hundreds of BlueLight stations that can be found at intersections, in parking garages, and other locations on campus and in some nearby blocks.
“The emergency phones are here for the use of our community,” said Mike Kwiatkowski, Executive Director for Campus Safety. “We would like community members to be comfortable using them to connect with the University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD) and the Department of Safety and Security.”
Pressing the red call button will put individuals in direct contact with the UCPD Emergency Communications Center and can be used in emergency and non-emergency situations.
“There are hundreds of BlueLight phone activations yearly, and many do not require an emergency police response,” Kwiatkowski said. “Many people who push the red button are simply asking for directions, and we help them however we can. The response is the same as if someone called UCPD using a regular phone.”
BlueLight phones can be used to obtain general information, find directions, or request a safety escort to accompany your walk.
Some BlueLight stations are also equipped with security cameras that are always recording, in accordance with the University’s Security Camera Policy.
Of course, the widespread use of smartphones means the physical emergency phones aren’t your only option.
Members of the UChicago community can also use the UChicago Safe app, which has a Mobile BlueLight feature.
Simply pushing a button within the app will dial the UCPD Emergency Communications Center and send live location information to the Center if it’s used within UCPD’s extended patrol area. The UCPD responds to Mobile BlueLight calls the same way it responds to calls from the emergency phones.
Note – If the app’s mobile BlueLight feature is used while the user is outside of the UCPD’s extended patrol area, the app is programmed to dial 911 and will not alert UCPD or the provide the user’s GPS location to UCPD.
The physical BlueLights are especially useful if you don’t have a phone with you or can’t remember how to get in contact with the UCPD another way.
The BlueLights are also helpful in an emergency situation where someone might not want to stop to reach into their pockets and dig out their cellphone.
In a case like that, such as if you are trying to get away from a threatening situation, you can keep using the BlueLights while you are moving.
For example, you can activate the BlueLight phone by pressing the red button at one station, then continue moving and press red buttons at subsequent BlueLight stations along the way. The series of button activations effectively creates a trail that can give UCPD an idea of where you’re going, so they can respond to that location.
"One benefit of both the physical BlueLight stations and the mobile BlueLight is that they provide the Emergency Communications Center with accurate location information and situational awareness to improve the police response,” Kwiatkowski said.