Sound grenade device sets out to make campuses safer
Sarah Shadburne
Arts & Features
sshadbur@unca.edu
The Sound Grenade by ROBOCOPP has been distributed on campuses across the country and abroad, and Asheville could be next.
“We receive reports on a regular basis from students who have used the device in mugging situations,” said Jill Turner, PR director for ROBOCOPP. “And they tell us, ‘This device saved my life.’”
The ROBOCOPP Sound Grenade is a miniature personal alarm system that emits a 120 decibel alarm signal when deployed. Campuses across the country teamed up with the company to give them out in mass numbers to incoming freshman classes.
“The most recent and outstanding report was from a UC Berkeley student who prevented a mugging at a train station,” Turner said. “She was walking to her car late at night from the station and two men approached and asked for her money and claimed they had a gun. She pulled her alarm immediately and she said they just ran away and she emailed us at 11 p.m. absolutely thrilled.”
Their concept for a sound grenade initially formed in 2010 when the CEO of the company began researching effective ways to deter crime. Though the idea of using loud alarms is not particularly new, Turner said the Sound Grenade prioritizes accessibility for users.
“Sound is invisible but it touches everyone,” Turner said. “Humans naturally are very averse to loud sound. You’re not going to sit down and enjoy your morning cup of coffee by a construction site. The whole point is to prevent an attack rather than to engage in one.”
A study on criminal deterrence by Maurice Cusson of the School of Criminology reported 68 percent of criminals will flee the scene of the crime empty-handed the moment an alarm sounds.
Turner said sound becomes an ideal deterrent because most people who carry small weapons either hurt themselves or arm their attackers in dangerous situations.
“Whether you’re absolutely positive someone intends to harm you, or whether you’re not sure, you can alert someone without confronting the person that feels threatening,” Turner said.
In the past, UNC Asheville passed out whistles to students, said Chief of Police Eric Boyce. Boyce now said he thinks there could be potential for the university to seriously look into a partnership with ROBOCOPP.
“We want to provide our students with cutting edge, appropriate safety devices,” Boyce said. “I definitely see that as something we would be willing to have a conversation with the developers about providing it to potentially all students.”
Accounting for transfers, giving the device to every freshman would theoretically result in the total campus population having a device within six years, Boyce said. If used appropriately, it could make more students intervene.
“The only area that I would be concerned with is those high decibels. It could deafen a potential attacker but it could also deafen you,” Boyce said. “My only caution with that is making sure you have some sort of safety precautions in place carrying a device like that.”
Boyce also has concerns about students getting too used to hearing a siren sound like that and becoming desensitized.
“If overused, it could be kind of like a car alarm now,” Boyce said. “When those alarms first got installed on cars people were like, ‘Oh! That’s a car alarm!’ and now people are like ‘Oh. That’s a car alarm.’”
Student Body Vice President Lauren Bulla worries about what the installation of a device like the Sound Grenade would mean in terms of safety on a campus our size.
“It’s really unfortunate that there’s even a question of our safety so much that there needs to be something instituted,” Bulla said. “On a campus this small, why is it that we’re still needing to even consider something like this?”
Bulla said she believes there is a general feeling of safety on the UNCA campus, but she still participates in groups that raise awareness of safety resources available to students.
“Even if one student feels unsafe, that should be an issue that the university should take up,” Bulla said. “We all want to live in a community where we feel comfortable and safe, so it also comes down to students holding each other accountable.”
Bulla notes she and many of the women she knows carry pepper spray or other personal safety devices on their person, but she does think Sound Grenade technology could be useful.
“I don’t see why it wouldn’t be worthwhile if it’s just an added precaution,” Bulla said.
If you want a useful device that will protect you on campus, it is called a handgun. It works everytime, does not need batteries, and everybody knows what it is. Yet, the progressives do not want women to have access to this useful tool, to which they have a Constitutional right to have, while on campus.
Thanks for finally writing about > blog_title < Loved it!|
Hi! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could find a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems finding one? Thanks a lot!|
Great items from you, man. I have take note your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely great. I actually like what you’ve acquired right here, really like what you’re saying and the way by which you assert it. You are making it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it wise. I cant wait to learn much more from you. That is actually a terrific web site.|
WOW just what I was looking for. Came here by searching for meta_keyword|
I am genuinely thankful to the owner of this website who has shared this great article at at this place.|
Hey! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing months of hard work due to no back up. Do you have any solutions to protect against hackers?|
Excellent blog post. I certainly appreciate this website. Stick with it!|
Heya great blog! Does running a blog such as this take a large amount of work? I’ve absolutely no understanding of programming however I was hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyways, if you have any suggestions or tips for new blog owners please share. I know this is off subject but I simply needed to ask. Appreciate it!|
villa larm an incredibly nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to generate a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a whole lot and never manage to get anything done.|
This design is steller! You definitely know how to keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Excellent job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!|
Right here is the perfect website for anyone who wants to understand this topic. You realize so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I actually will need to…HaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a subject which has been discussed for ages. Wonderful stuff, just wonderful!|
I blog quite often and I seriously appreciate your information. Your article has truly peaked my interest. I’m going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information about once per week. I opted in for your Feed as well.|
What’s up to all, since I am genuinely keen of reading this web site’s post to be updated daily. It consists of nice material.|
Pretty great post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I’ve truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing for your feed and I hope you write once more soon!|
Simply wish to say your article is as astonishing. The clearness in your post is simply cool and i can assume you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the enjoyable work.|
Why viewers still make use of to read news papers when in this technological globe the whole thing is accessible on net?|
thank so much for your website it assists a great deal. http://dooze.ru/blog/4182.html
AM or PM sg? I notice the morning is a great time to post pictures and get more likes! – Alex
how to open discount cartier bangle stainless steel [url=http://www.accessoireslamode.in/en/cartier-white-gold-love-bracelet-with-screwdriver-fake-p117/]how to open discount cartier bangle stainless steel[/url]
What’s up to all, how is all, I think every one is getting more from this web page,
and your views are good in favor of new viewers.
Contemporary launched porn site
http://analamateur.adultnet.in/?kasandra
erotic novel excerpts erotic obsession victorian erotic novels adult videos free erotic horror
My new gay porn spot
http://yaoi.erolove.in/?profile_felipe
gay world gay jeans gay rights groups gay romance chinese gay
Great write-up, I’m regular visitor of one’s website, maintain up the excellent operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.