Sirens would make residents feel more secure

 During the rather turbulent seasons of the year, we are rather aware that we have no warning system in town to let us know that we might need to find a safe place in which to ride out a storm. Most of us have not been particularly concerned, else we would have seen that such a system is in place. Of course, many of us remember when we had a fire alarm secured to the water tower down town and that it could be heard clearly all over town. Some of us have even wondered what happened to it when that water tower was removed and have wondered why it wasn’t installed atop the courthouse so it could continue to act as our security system in town.

Until a few years ago, we had some small alarms scattered in several areas of town, but they couldn’t be heard very far and certainly couldn’t be heard unless we were standing outside to listen for their tests. At least, they would have warned the people within the blocks on which they stood, but for some reason, they were also allowed to become defunct.

By watching television, we can scare ourselves silly because we are given false warnings much of the time. On other occasions when strong storms are really attacking us, we see no warnings until after said storms pass. We still remain isolated in our rural area, but we could do something to let people within the city limits know when danger might be lurking. Even the use of loud speakers, such as the ones once used to advertise the latest movies, could grab our attention were they to be attached to police cars and to have the officers driving the streets announcing the latest dangers to avoid.

The real solution still might be to refurbish that fire whistle of the past and to place it atop the courthouse, the tallest building in mid town. Because that whistle was so powerful, it might even be placed atop a tall pole elsewhere in town so it could be heard clearly by all residents. Most of us relied on it to know when we had a fire in town and to know when to begin to celebrate the New Year. That loud, clear wail certainly caught our attention and let us know that something was afoot.

Whereas, many of us may not be particularly skittish, most of us would like to have some kind of reliable warning system so that we could find a safe place to stay or could help our neighbors find such a place.

If we don’t have electricity, even the false alarms on television won’t capture our attention. Loud sirens that would echo throughout the area could save a lot of lives in the event danger exists. Of course, they would have to be non-electric if they were to be totally reliable, but well-charged batteries have allowed many such sirens to operate to their best advantage.

One resounding siren wouldn’t be nearly as expensive as the life or lives that could be lost without its being in place. Let’s see what can be done to make us just a bit more secure in our little town.