City of Brunswick Expands Public Safety Efforts with Blue Light Emergency Towers
October 26, 2026 (Brunswick, GA) – The City of Brunswick is taking another step toward enhancing public safety with the installation of a blue light emergency tower in Machen Square in Historic Downtown Brunswick and Coach Otheler Speakman Park, also known as Orange Square Park. The highly visible emergency stations provide a direct connection to emergency services with the push of a button, giving residents, visitors, and others in the area another way to quickly request assistance when needed.
The first blue light emergency tower was installed in Machen Square with $10,000 in funding from Norfolk Southern’s Safety First Grant Program. The tower provides an additional safety resource in the heart of Downtown Brunswick, an area that welcomes residents and visitors throughout the year and hosts numerous community events. A second tower was installed in Coach Otheler Speakman Park through a $17,000 donation and community partnership with GP Cellulose. Located within a residential neighborhood, the tower provides an additional layer of safety for the surrounding neighborhood and those who use the park.
The blue light emergency towers also reflect a recommendation from a College of Coastal Georgia marketing strategy class focused on Downtown Brunswick. The Downtown Development Authority engaged the class to explore ways to increase engagement, broaden perceptions of downtown, and attract more visitors ages 18 to 24. Students recommended blue light emergency towers as one way to enhance public safety, helping turn their recommendation into action.
“The installation of our new K1 Blue Light Towers are one more step toward our goal of making Brunswick the safest city in Georgia. Together, these towers provide direct access to emergency help in two of our most active public spaces, from downtown events in Machen Square to families enjoying the splash pad at Speakman Park. These partnerships strengthen our public safety infrastructure and show what’s possible when local industry invests in the community. We appreciate Norfolk Southern and GP Cellulose for their commitment to helping us build a safer Brunswick for everyone,” said Brunswick Emergency Management Agency Manager Alec Eaton.
“As North Ward Commissioner, I am always adamant about making sure our community receives the same investments and opportunities as every other area of our city. Coach Otheler Speakman Park is a heavily utilized space for families, children, and visitors, so having a blue light tower installed there was a priority for me. I am grateful for this additional layer of safety now available for everyone who enjoys the park. Hopefully we are able to have blue light towers in all of our public parks,” said Commissioner Kendra Rolle.
The blue light emergency towers are part of a broader effort by the City’s Emergency Management Agency to identify opportunities to enhance safety throughout the City of Brunswick. Additional locations have been identified for consideration, including Mary Ross Park and Overlook Park. The City’s efforts to enhance safety in public spaces extend beyond the blue light towers. Last year, Brunswick EMA Manager, Alec Eaton led an effort to add life preservers at the dock at Mary Ross Park, providing another potentially life-saving resource for those enjoying the waterfront. The City of Brunswick thanks Norfolk Southern and GP Cellulose for their support of these public safety improvements and their investment in the City of Brunswick community.
