car thinks key is in ignition and always beeps when door is open

[Sparticus0037]

Hi I got a 1995 Escort LX hatchback. whenever i open my door, i get the "key in ignition" beep from that white box behine the fuses. what does that box do? i pulled it out and turned the car on and it runs fine but i dont want to screw around too much if its a safety thing too. it was my brothers car before mine and he told me it started doing it right before i bought it from him. i really dont know of any other eletrical issuse besides the drivers seat belt got jammed so i cut the wires to it (the fuse goes to both sides and my brother owned it at the time and wanted the passenger side to still work). could those be at all related? also one more thing about it, i can take my key out of the ignition while im driving, also i can start it with a screw driver, which is actually kind of nice for winter time haha.

thanks for the help.

i may have been to vague so if you may know whats going on but need more details PM me or somthing