Illinois Schools Install Blue Emergency Boxes

Illinois Schools Install Blue Emergency Boxes

Worried about gun violence, 20 Illinois schools install emergency boxes that notify police.

Schools in Illinois have installed bright blue emergency pull boxes marked, "Police" on the walls of their hallways. The fixtures, campus security professionals from the schools say, are to help students connect with first responders in the event of an active assailant.

More than 20 schools have installed the BluePoint alert systems, many in the Chicago suburbs. One of the schools, St. Benedict's Preparatory School on the North Side is training their students to use the pull stations, located throughout the campus if an unauthorized person with malicious intent gains access.

"[Students] really, sadly, are aware of this possibility," Rachel Gemo, head of school at St. Ben's said. "They are not immune to what they hear on TV."

Students, faculty, and staff can activate the system by removing a pull station's clear plastic cover, then pushing its lever in and then down. That sequence triggers a complex alert system, sending a signal to BluePoint and to police. Some school staffers can trigger the alert system using special fobs they wear around their necks, similar to car keys.

This year alone, close to 60 incidents of gunfire have taken place on U.S. school grounds, according to Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit working to reduce U.S. gun violence. Not every incident results in injury or death, the organization notes, but these shootings can have a profound effect on children and teenagers.

"The effects of gun violence extend far beyond those struck by a bullet: gun violence shapes the lives of the millions of children who witness it, know someone who was shot, or live in fear of the next shooting," St. Ben's website says.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • ASIS International Introduces ANSI-Approved School Security Standard

    ASIS International, a leading authority in security standards, is excited to announce the release of its American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-approved standard designed to provide a framework for developing, implementing, maintaining, and improving school security. The first comprehensive standard of its kind provides a critical benchmark for assessing and improving a school’s security posture regardless of size and funding. Read Now

  • High School Football Game Security

    The high school football season is scheduled to commence across the country in the coming weeks. The players and coaches have worked extremely hard preparing for a successful season. Students, parents, and the community are ready to support their teams. Read Now

  • Partner Alliance for Safer Schools Releases 2025 Update to Safety and Security Guidelines for K-12 Schools

    The Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) has released the seventh edition of its Safety and Security Guidelines for K-12 Schools, which offer the most comprehensive information available on nationwide leading practices specifically for securing school facilities, from subject matter experts across the education, public safety and industry sectors. Read Now

  • Enhancing K-12 Campus Safety with Smart Sensors

    In today’s educational environment, school safety is a top priority—not just for administrators, but for parents, students, and entire communities. Gone are the days when locking doors and hiring a school resource officer were sufficient deterrents to threats. Read Now