Blue light system expands with QR codes at Chatham University

Bella White

November 21, 2023

Blue light pole outside the Athletic and Fitness Center with QR code.

The network of blue lights across Chatham University’s campus are part of a nationally recognized system that signals to students where they can find a white box that will give them a direct phone line to the police. As soon as the door to the box opens, campus police are sent the location of the box and dispatched to help.

This emergency system got a boost with the addition of QR codes, which provide another way for Chatham students to contact Public Safety.

“QR codes have been on the call boxes as a mobile and potentially safer option for over a year, as this allows the caller to move to a different location to potentially avoid or evade a situation while reporting to police,” Chief of Police Donna Grossi said in an email interview. “Utilizing the stationary call boxes limits the movement of a caller when a situation could be potentially dangerous or evolving.” In most cases, the QR codes were not meant to replace the call boxes.

The blue dots on the map represent the locations of blue light boxes on Chatham University’s Shadyside campus. The ones circled in red are locations where there are only QR codes. Credit: Chief of Police Donna Grossi/Chatham University

“The reason is because the power grid that we use is not necessarily being extended to all of them. So I know like in the case of the house on Woodland Road. … It’s actually been sold by the University,” Chair of the Safety Committee and Class 2024 Representative Melissa Redding said. “The power grid that [the blue lights were] on is now no longer accessible by the University. So in that case, that’s been replaced by a permanent sign with a QR code.”

Though Public Safety has no way to track the exact location of the calls coming from the QR codes, Chief Grossi said her records show that Public Safety has not responded to an emergency call coming from a stationary call box in the past 10 years.

To contact Chatham University Public Safety, call 412-365-1111.

About the Contributors

Bella White, Editor-In-Chief

Bella White ‘27 is a Communications major concentrating in Journalism with a minor in Creative Writing. Originally from north of Pittsburgh, Bella decided to come to Chatham to build on their passion for writing. Bella is the editor-in-chief of the Communiqué. When writing, they primarily focus on news and the Chatham Student Government, but have been known to dabble from time to time. In her free time, Bella enjoys reading, attempting to crochet, taking naps and talking with friends. They can usually be found at a library or bookstore with a good iced chai. For inquiries about their work, Bella can be reached at [email protected] or @b.el.la.w on Instagram.

Carson Gates, Editor-In-Chief emeritus

Carson Gates ’25 is a Communications major with a concentration in journalism. Carson is from the Buffalo, New York area, and chose Chatham University for its quiet and homey feel on campus, while also being smack dab in a major city. Carson is the editor-in-chief emeritus for the Communqiué, following his two-year tenure as editor-in-chief. Carson primarily writes for the sports section but has found his way into other sections. While being a writer, Carson is also one of the hosts for the Communqiué’s award-winning "Quadcast." Carson Gates can be reached best at [email protected] or via Instagram or Twitter @gatesy35.