THE LIVESAFE APP HITS THE STREETS

By Macy Frazier

CSU University Police introduced a new app that allows users an easy way to contact emergency services and also provides information about several resources around campus.

On Feb. 9, the CSU University Police Department issued an announcement about their partnership with LiveSafe, an app that includes several safety features as well as a practical way to get in contact with several different departments around campus.

Officer Michael Stewart of the UPD recounted that parents have been asking if the UPD had an app for years. After researching several possibilities, the UPD decided that LiveSafe best matched the needs of CSU students, combining features from various safety walk apps while still allowing students to report incidents and look up information about campus. Stewart commented that, “we have another way that people can contact us, and it has some good features on it, and we wanted to get it in the hands of everybody…it doesn’t matter if they’re studying here on main campus, down on RiverPark campus, or they’re studying abroad. LiveSafe can be used wherever they are.”

The LiveSafe app has four main selections on the home screen: Report Suspicious Activity, Report Incident, Emergency Options, and Resources. There is also an additional tab at the bottom containing the Safe Walk feature.

The LiveSafe App allows users to report any suspicious activity by submitting pictures, a video, or an audio clip. These tips may also be given anonymously if the user is uncomfortable with being contacted. UPD teaches students their “see something, say something” motto, so they prefer users report anything they may find suspicious even if they may not be correct. Report Suspicious Activity

Report Incident

Upon opening this tab, users are prompted to select from 13 categories ranging from Assault/Harassment to Motorist Assist. Users may submit a picture, video, or an audio clip. This section is for nonemergency tips, so if the incident requires immediate intervention, contact emergency services first.

Emergency Options

A section of the app is dedicated to local emergency services. Upon opening this tab, users will see the option to call 911, call UPD, or to message security. This feature may also be utilized while studying abroad. When users pull up this page, the local emergency phone number will appear.

This contains two tabs. The first contains contact information for several services on campus such as the University Counseling Center and the Center for Accommodation and Access. It also lists local resources such as the County Sheriff’s Office and St. Francis Hospital. The feature “Find Campus Places” at the bottom of the page lists all the locations on campus. When a location is selected, a map appears with that location selected. The second tab is a general map that users may interact with.

Safe Walk

App users may select up to three people to monitor their progress to a specific location. The user enters the location they plan to travel to and their mode of transportation. The app estimates how long it should take them to arrive and notifies the designated watchers. If the user does not reach their destination in the given amount of time, the app allows the user 30 seconds to call 911, call university police, or disable the alert for 10 minutes. If the user does not select one of these options, the watchers are notified. This feature is located on a tab at the bottom of the screened, indicated by a walking stick figure.