The 19 emergency buzzers, contained in blue modules, scattered throughout campus have been pushed less than in previous years, said Art Mitchell, police officer for the University Police Department.

The modules that provide safety to students walking throughout campus can be activated by the pushing the button located on its face.

“When the button is activated, a blue light comes on and a dispatcher asks whether they need fire, police or an ambulance,” Mitchell said. “Usually it takes under a minute for an officer to get (to the person).”

He said the button is not pushed nearly as much as it used to be.

“Ninety-five percent of the time it is pushed someone is trying to see what the reaction will be,” he said.

Mitchell said pranks are not a big concern when it comes to the emergency modules. He said if the button is pushed intentionally for no reason, it is done by someone intoxicated or a child at the summer camps that take place at Eastern.

Although pranks are a rarity, someone who does push it without a valid reason can be penalized with fines or may even have to spend a few days in jail if they are caught by police, he said.

“It is considered interfering with emergency equipment (when the button is pushed as a prank),” Mitchell said.

If they are pushed, it usually occurs in the evening, Mitchell said.

“They are hardly ever pushed during the day,” he said. “It is usually on a night shift.”

Mitchell said even though the buzzers are not often activated, they are an asset that helps ensure students’ safety walking across campus.