EDITORIAL: U. must listen to residents' views

Administrators should take into account the opinions of residents before installing more blue light phones. We like the blue-light phone system because it makes us feel safer when travelling west of campus. And the new technology -- which includes remote controlled camera -- that will be employed in these phones will hopefully make them more effective. But it's not just students and faculty that live in the area between 40th and 43rd streets. Residents have a right to state their opinions. And the point they have made is that they don't like the blue-light phones. Community leaders have said the phones are not aesthetically-pleasing and make the neighborhood look unsafe. Whether or not administrators agree that those are valid concerns, they still need to listen to them. We're pleased that the Office of Community Relations said they will consult community groups before installing the new phones. But University officials should have sat down with community leaders soon after announcing their new safety initiative, four months ago. This lack of communication probably adds to the frustration of neighborhood members who feel neglected by the University when programs such as these are planned without consultation. Regardless of the debate, the University still needs to obtain city permits to put the blue-light phones on these streets. Those who wanted to see the 66 blue-light phones erected soon after College senior Patrick Leroy's shooting will have to wait out the delay until proper permits are attained and more community leaders are asked their opinions. We do like the concept of blue-light phones and would like to see more of them. But the University cannot make this neighborhood safer by themselves. We all live in West Philadelphia, and working together is the best way to solve issues facing the community.