Students are less safe on campus because of problems with blue light phones and insufficient lighting in parking lots, UB and community officials said Tuesday at a Personal Safety Committee meeting.
Amy Vincent, a representative from the Anti-Rape Task Force, said many students have complained to her over the years that the blue lights on safety phones are too high up and the lights themselves aren't strong enough at night.
"The pole is too high up and the trees cover the light, causing the students to wonder where the nearest blue light phone is located," Vincent said.
Another problem with the blue lights is that some of them are often damaged or knocked over by snowplows during the winter months because they are too close to the curb, said John Grela, director of public safety.
Grela added that just this week, UB has started the process of fixing the blue light units "vandalized" by snowplows last winter. The replacement units are part of a program that was already planned to update the blue light system, he said.
On average, each blue light costs $4,200 and is paid for by the campus parking office, Grela said.
Grela also told the committee that insufficient lighting in the parking lots on South Campus has resulted in the decision to attach extra spotlights to the existing light poles. Previously, the poor lighting was creating a "shadowing" effect that made walking through the lots at night unsafe.
Extra lighting will also be installed on various North Campus locations, such as around Furnas Hall, Grela said.
According to Grela, the necessary steps to resolve on-campus safety issues are underway. Members of Personal Safety Committee are scheduled in the first week of November to take a three-hour tour of North and South Campus to gain a better understanding of the safety problems facing UB students.
Participants at Tuesday's meeting also addressed a major off-campus issue, the continued crackdowns on parties in the University Heights.
"All I can say is that I am glad that as a result of police reinforcement at the Heights, things have calmed down a bit," said Grela.
Grela said he hoped the informational door hangers distributed at last month's Safety Fair would help teach UB students living in the Heights who are known for their partying habits how to live safely and securely in their community.
"Never use an attic or basement as a bedroom," the hanger read. "Get to know your neighbors."
Grela also mentioned a Heights robbery early Saturday morning, in which three males took cash from five people on Minnesota Avenue. The robbery is still being investigated.
