Blue-light phones make residents wary

Some said the phones make the area look unsafe. The crime wave earlier this year prompted Division of Public Safety officials to announce the addition of 66 new blue-light phones, but nearly four months after their scheduled completion date none of the phones have been installed. And such a delay is perfectly fine with many West Philadelphia community members, who feel that the phones make the neighborhood look and feel unsafe. Public Safety officials announced in October that they would begin to install at least 66 new cellular blue-light phones, at least half of which would be concentrated in the area between 40th and 43rd streets. But while officials maintain that the additional phones will improve area safety, local residents have said they are apprehensive about expanding the blue-light program. Community members have "mixed feelings" about the addition of new phones, according to Spruce Hill Community Association member Shariff Ali. Spruce Hill is one of the neighborhood groups that has voiced concerns to the University about the phones. "Some of the group members feel that [the blue-light phones] are not aesthetically pleasing and that their presence creates an atmosphere of fear and lack of safety," Ali explained. While he added that several members of the group welcome the addition of blue-light phones -- particularly senior citizens living in the area --Eothers have expressed enough concern that the group has already held several meetings with University officials over the phones. Security Director Chris Algard said he met with a number of community groups about the addition of the phones, but believes there are "just as many people out there who encourage it that oppose it." He acknowledged that while some neighborhood residents believe the blue-light phones make the neighborhood appear unsafe, others have expressed concern that the phones will create "another boundary" between the campus and surrounding areas. "Basically we're going out to 43rd Street with the blue-light phones," Algard said. "[Neighborhood residents are] concerned with what happens beyond 43rd." Officials from the Office of Community Relations said they will consult with community groups before placing any new phones west of 40th street. Community Relations Director Glenn Bryan said the University will demonstrate the new phones to community members in the near future, although no date has been finalized. And Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs Carol Scheman said she believes community leaders had problems with the phones initially but that they were now "resolved." "My sense is that people just want to be consulted about what's going on in their neighborhood," she said. "And we're doing that." But Spruce Hill Community Association President Patrick Starr said there has been "no communication with me directly and no letters to the group" from the University about adding the new phones. "The main thing I've heard is that people want to be notified and have a chance to respond [to the proposals]," he added. When the wireless blue-light phones will actually appear on or off campus, however, is an issue that has created some confusion. The installation of the new phones was scheduled to begin November 1 and be completed four to eight weeks later -- but there are still no new blue-light phones on or off campus. Algard said that preliminary work for the on-campus blue-light phones is in the process of being completed, and added that he hoped the work would be finished within a month. City permits are needed before work can begin on off-campus blue-light phone locations.