By C.D. DESALVO
Hays Post
In 2016, Fort Hays State University launched a free mobile phone app for all devices called LiveSafe. The student-driven initiative was to give students, faculty and anyone else working or living on campus a resource to use to improve campus safety and information sharing.
Fort Hays State University and LiveSafe are now three years into their contract, and the app has proven a great resource, helping FHSU to be ranked one of the safest colleges in America.
Some of the features include:
Report tips – This allows the user to report non-emergency tips such as vandalism, hazing, repairs needed or even light bulbs that need replaced. This feature lets the user add a picture, video or audio file plus the location of the tip. Submissions can be anonymous.
Emergency options – Gives the user three options to either: Call 911, Call University Police, or call City of Hays PD (Non-Emergency). This provides the user easy access to authorities without having to remember phone numbers. These emergency options are available at the push of a button.
Safety Map – This allows the user to look at a map of Hays and more specifically, a map of campus. Buildings and locations are labeled. If there is a situation on campus, it will show up on the map so the user knows which parts of campus to avoid.
GoSafe – This option allows the user to access SafeRide and other Hays taxi services with the push of a button without having to remember or search for phone numbers online. The SafeWalk feature is also available, which will track your location as you walk. A friend who also has LiveSafe can track your location as you walk home late at night from campus buildings or bars to make sure you make it home safe.
“This app is something that is useful if you’re in the Hays community. You have all those different links for emergency numbers and things like that so if you’re in a situation where you need a number, you don’t have to web search it. It’s right there on your phone and you have that information already,” said Jacki Dougherty, community relations director for FHSU’s Student Government Association. “It’s a great resource even for people finding their classes as a new student. You can see which building is which.”
The LiveSafe app is available free in the App Store for Apple and Google Play.