June 15, 2021
As part of St. John’s University’s continuing commitment to providing the safest living and learning environment possible for the University community, the Department of Public Safety regularly evaluates emerging technologies and solutions that support that mission. One such technology recently implemented is the St. John’s customized LiveSafe mobile app.
First introduced during the Spring 2021 semester, LiveSafe is a free mobile app designed to prevent crime and enable better incident response. LiveSafe connects to a cloud-based dashboard which is monitored by Public Safety. Using the app, members of the St. John’s community can report tips to Public Safety, place emergency calls, and access other public safety resources.
Public Safety encourages all members of the University community to familiarize themselves with LiveSafe in advance of the Fall 2021 semester.
“We know that students are rarely without their cell phones, and the LiveSafe mobile app puts the varied resources of Public Safety at their fingertips,” stated Denise Vencak-Toner, Executive Director of Public Safety and Risk Management.
LiveSafe allows users to share everything from safety hazards to mental health using the app. In the event of a campus emergency, LiveSafe’s check-in feature allows users to connect with Public Safety so they can quickly indicate if they are safe or if they need assistance.
“Gone are the days of looking around for a call box to sound an alarm,” explained John Breheny, Director of Public Safety. “Whether on or off campus, we all play an active role in helping to keep St. John’s University safe.”
Another innovative feature of the app is Safe Walk, which allows users to invite up to three friends, family members, or colleagues to virtually walk or drive with them. Users can share their location with their designated connections so their progress can be followed on a map. App users can also choose the standby mode, which will send a notification if a user fails to reach his or her destination by a specific time.
Questions regarding the LiveSafe app should be directed to the Department of Public Safety at publicsafety@stjohns.edu.
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