Murray State University is urging students and staff to download a smartphone app in aims of improving crime-related and emergency communication with campus police.
The free app called LiveSafe allows students to anonymously send texts, photos or videos to campus security to report crimes and suspicious activity as well as receive emergency notifications.
The app went live for MSU students, faculty and staff today.
Attending the training session on Murray State's "Live Safe" app. This phone app is a new service for students, faculty, staff and parents to assist in keeping our campus safe. Go to the "App store" and download this app (search "Live Safe app" to sign up. This is a great tool! A photo posted by Dr. Bob Davies (@murraystateprez) on Aug 13, 2015 at 7:34am PDT
Users can report tips such as: sexual assault, stalking, theft, vandalism, abuse, accidents, and more.
LiveSafe co-founder Shy Pahlevani says the app makes it easier for millennials to communicate in a manner they’re more familiar with.
“You know, most students our age don’t even call our parents, but we love to text them," said Pahlevani. "So LiveSafe is just playing in that same world that students are comfortable in, allowing them to text and communicate with campus police and administration in a convenient way.
"When students see something, they may tweet something, but this is the same forum where you can easily take a picture with a short message and hit send and get it to the campus police and their dispatch center. And vice versa, the campus police can broadcast messages to student through the mobile app and keep them in the know-about of what's going on."
But he says the most-used feature on the app is "SafeWalk" which allows users to virtually walk their friends home via GPS, call for a Racer Patrol escort, and provide quick and accurate location info to emergency dispatchers.
“You know, you go out late at night with friends, it’s the typical ‘text me when you get home’ sort-of-thing because you’re concerned about your friend," said Pahlevani. "But this is a cooler way to communicate, it sends a link to your loved ones, your suite mate, your roommate, it will share a map of where you’re located, where you’re walking to, and your friend can makes sure you get to your destination safely. And if there is any trouble, the app makes it really easy to contact for help.”
Pahlevani says the Safe Walk can also work off-campus or at other universities that don't host the program.
LiveApp is available on 100 campuses throughout 37 states. MSU is the second school in the state to adopt the program after the University of Kentucky.
Pahlevani says he hopes LiveSafe becomes the standard for campus security across the nation.
He says future updates for the app could include a space for students to express medical concerns to campus health services.
The app is free and available for iPhone and Android users.