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In Trouble at NCSU? Hit the Panic Button

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The buttons are in offices, dormitories and classroom buildings, often in restrooms or other areas where people frequently go alone.(WRAL-TV5 News)
RALEIGH — College dorms are supposed to be secure, but if you have ever been on a campus, you know that it can be easy to get into most any college building.N.C. State Universityhas some hidden security measures to keep students safe.

When people are in danger, NCSU wants them to hit the panic button.

The buttons signal officers in the Public Safety Department who are trained to treat the call as an emergency.

Kristen Durham has not needed to use the button, but she is glad they are in so many places.

"It's definitely nice that they're here, and a man from Public Safety said that they can actually track you down if you continue to run, as you hit each button," she says. "That's nice to know that they can find you."

The officers hope students will not waste resources by hitting the buttons for non-emergencies.

"We are constantly trying to stay on our toes in responding to alarms that are actual real ones, and intend to respond to each one as if it is a real one and not a false one," says Sgt. John Barnwell of NCSU's Public Safety Department.

Emergencies or not, Barnwell is happy to have them around.

"I always like to say it's better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them," he says.

The buttons are in offices, dormitories and classroom buildings, often in restrooms or other areas where people frequently go alone.

The Public Safety Departmentheld a walk Thursday nightwith students and staff members to help identify the most dangerous areas on campus in order to improve safety.

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