FREEHOLD — A rapid entry box that is used by police officers and firefighters to enter a business in an emergency may soon be available to Freehold Borough residents who want to place that type of box on their home.

One person’s concern for a friend who lives alone prompted the resident to contact Borough Council President Sharon Shutzer.

Shutzer brought the matter to the attention of the council on Jan. 16.

She said the resident told her she had been trying to reach a friend for hours with no response. Police were called and had to break a window to get into the house. They found the woman who was ill and ended up being hospitalized.

The question facing officials is whether some type of lock box containing a house key can be placed on a resident’s door that emergency responders could use to gain access to the home if the resident could not come to the door.

Freehold Borough requires business owners to have such a rapid entry device — often referred to as a Knox box — on their place of business so that firefighters can have immediate access to the building in case of a fire.

Shutzer said fire official Garry Jackson checked into the issue and found a company which does provide a rapid entry device for private homes.

The other members of the council supported the idea of exploring the issue and possibly asking residents to participate on a volunteer basis.