I go to SUNY Stony Brook, and I decided to take a walk one night with my digicam. I walked past the transformers across the street from the power plant, and noticed this bolted to the fence that goes around them. It’s some sort of cylindrical metal container or something, with two (not-secure-looking) key locks holding the bottom in place. It’s merely bolted, and isn’t holding anything closed at all.
Since I came across it that night, I walk past it, thinking every time, “What the hell is it, and what’s inside?” Has anyone seen one of these (or this particular one) before? My curiosity is killing me.
So, I’ll ask you guys. What the hell is it, and what’s inside?
Could it be a time clock device? Many places that use security patrols have a device that either, (a) you insert a key into and it records the time you patrolled the area. Or (b) an electronic recorder that records your rounds. They are often encased in something to protect them from vandalism or theft. Also they typically are not made permanent so they can be moved when patrol routes are changed periodically. The clocks or recorders are then checked by a supervisor to see that the patrols are being performed. Also they get locked down so the Security Officer cannot take the device back to the office and “hit” his rounds from the comfort of his desk.
It looks a little fancy for this purpose, but I’ve seen pipe used this way for securing signs to the other side of the fence (provides a more stable anchor than chain-link fabric). It might also be a jury-rigged handle.
Hm. I guess I’ll see about getting a better picture, but I don’t think I’ll be able to get it for a while; I left my digicam cable at my house.
And choosybeggar, I’m not really sure what there is to say about the campus. Food is the usual “bad,” and the dorms are the usual “well, you can live in them.” I guess stuff will be better when I head over to the undergrad apartments next year.
And why a key holder with a key lock on it?? (Unless there are several of them around the city, in which case the proper authorities would only have to carry one key instead of several)
That’s the point, Joey P. The FD uses them for access to public buildings, and real estate agents sometimes use them when they’re selling your house. They’re sturdy little boxes that are firmly attached to some part of the structure, contain a key to the building, and have a lock (usually designed much like the round Kryptonite bike locks rather than standard linear design) that is keyed to a common key.
