But of the 22 blue poles on Eastern’s campus, only 14, or two thirds, are still working, Gamboa said. UPD performs monthly checks to see if the blue poles connect to CECOM. Cell phones have an SOS call option that performs the exact same call function as the blue poles. Regardless of if someone activating the blue poles speaks or not, an officer will be sent to the location. Until something changes, the blue poles will remain just cold metal painted Panther blue promising safety rather than ensuring it.