Is It Always the Thought that Counts Most?
Always on the lookout for those things that add relevance and utility to our lives, I was struck by the irony of this code blue emergency call service in a Fort Worth parking garage on a local university campus.
The point of a phone with a flashing blue light in a dark parking garage is what? Well, I’m thinking it pretty much means if you don’t have a phone and you need help right away, come here, we got you covered.
Imagine you’re facing a real emergency, broken down vehicle or, worse, an attempted assault, etc. You see the flashing blue light, you get hope for help, and you run toward the light. When you get there you find a piece of paper taped to the phone with typewritten instructions explaining that the CODE BLUE is
OUT OF SERVICE. But, have no fear, call this emergency number for help, if you need it.
Hmmm… if I have an emergency and wanted to use CODE BLUE it’s probably because I don’t have a phone in the first place. So, while the thought is nice to give me the emergency phone number, it has absolutely no relevance nor does it add any constructive utility to my current situation.
They might argue and explain it’s temporary because things break down, so what are you going to do? Well, I’d start with the suggestion that if an emergency phone line service with a flashing blue light doesn’t work, turn off the light and cover the phone with a canvas bag so it is never mistaken as a beacon of hope.
I can see no rationale thought behind taping a notice with an emergency phone number, temporary or not. This action amazes me even further given the significant boosts in security efforts on university campuses in recent years after major crime sprees.
Here’s to hoping that no one faces that challenge here.