The University of Mississippi launched the LiveSafe Safety app Monday.
LiveSafe is a startup that specializes in mobile technology to help with safety. The free mobile safety app is available to students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni and visitors, providing a streamlined way for users to communicate directly with university safety officials.
The university conducted a competitive bid process, and LiveSafe won the bid. Chasity Galloway, project manager for LiveSafe, said the geo-fencing capability is an important feature that sets the app apart from its competitors.
Geo-fencing allows the university to set a “fence” around a certain area where there may be an emergency. This would allow anyone within the fenced area to receive a notification through the LiveSafe app.
Elizabeth Romary, a Rebels Against Sexual Assault representative, was a member of the trial team who test-used the app around campus last Friday. Romary said she personally likes the SafeWalk feature.
“SafeWalk allows my friends to track where I am going if I leave the library or anywhere late at night,” Romary said. “If I don’t answer, or I sound very cryptic, then they know something is wrong and can contact the police.”
The SafeWalk feature allows anyone to virtually walk with users to his or her location by using the user’s phone’s GPS.
LiveSafe also allows students to send tips to safety officials. The “Call 911” feature allows users to call 911 in their actual location through the app.
Lindsey Bartlett Mosvick, assistant director for Violence Prevention, said her favorite feature with the app is the ability to text the University Police Department in case of an emergency.
“It is a great tool if you are worried your safety or about calling the police in a situation,” Mosvick said. “You can just text them for assistance without indicating anything to those around you.”
Mosvick said students are able to send in safety tips to officials in non-emergency situations also.
Romary said she believes the simplicity of the app will allow students to respond positively.
“There is easy access through the app to just hit a button and call someone in a situation,” Romary said. “I think students will respond well because it’s nice to know that you have an extra set of eyes watching you when you need them.”
Mosvick and the Violence Prevention Office will immediately incorporate the app into all their presentations and hope that, in the future, LiveSafe will be a part of freshman orientation each summer.
For information on how to download LiveSafe, visit www.olemiss.edu/livesafe.
