New UConn App Features Cop Conversations, Virtual Walking Companions

STORRS, CT — The University of Connecticut is now featuring an electronic application that not only improves communication with the police department, but also allows those walking on campus at night to have some virtual company via a live companion.

The UConn Police Department this week introduced something called a "LiveSafe" app to all its campuses. Live Safe is a mobile safety communications platform that can be used by UConn students, faculty, staff and "community members" to engage in two-way conversations directly with the cops.

UConn officials said the app works at any time of day and from any location with a mobile phone. It is also available on the popular myUConn app, officials said.

LiveSafe enables the reporting of incidents through text, photos, or video directly to the Public Safety Dispatch Center. LiveSafe allows two-way communication with the dispatch center as well as providing the opportunity to report information anonymously, officials said.

The sharing of emergency and non-emergency information on LiveSafe will create "a safer campus community and help prevent incidents from occurring," officials said. UConn police will be monitoring tips received on LiveSafe on a 24-7 basis, they added.

The app also featured a "SafeWalk" option that allows users to have anyone listed in their contacts to "virtually walk with them" on any UConn campus, officials said.

The app also allows users to contact UConn police if an emergency is "encountered." The SafeWalk feature can only be initiated by the LiveSafe subscriber, officials said.

LiveSafe also contains links to University safety procedures in the event of an emergency and shows locations of emergency blue phones at all campuses on a map.

LiveSafe at UConn can be downloaded through the UConn Police Department, officials said.

See more on the UConn Today page.