Medford's police chief wants to use a key instead of an ax to gain entry into businesses and apartment buildings during emergencies.
Chief Ken Coyer proposed a new city ordinance which would require new businesses to install exterior lock boxes.
Coyer says alarms go off daily, and they often have to wait several precious minutes for key holders to arrive on scene.
Or else, they get out the ax.
"Of course in a fire or emergency situation you gain entry as needed, but our purpose is to preserve property and be able to come and go in the building," said Chief Coyer.
Current businesses wouldn't be required to get the $335 lock box under the ordinance.
But new businesses and apartment complexes would.
The police department would hold the master key to all the lock boxes.
Updated: 05/08/2013 - Every Wednesday we meet an adorable animal from the Humane Society of Marathon County in need of a loving home. This week, we met Hayden.
