Carolina Launches New Safety App

Posted on Aug. 25, 2016

UNC has launched a new safety resource, the LiveSafe app, which turns smartphones into safety devices and provides discreet two-way communications with UNC public safety officials. LiveSafe is available to those who live and work on or near Carolina’s campus, as well as their families and friends.

The app enables users to call or message 911 quickly; report suspicious activity anonymously, through text, photo or video messaging; and submit details of their location via the GPS-based SafeWalk feature. Location information also can be shared with family members and friends, even while on the move.

UNC is working with LiveSafe to link the app to its Alert Carolina emergency notification system. Once complete, this will enable those who download the app to receive all Alert Carolina messages, further helping amplify these messages beyond the campus community. Users also will be able to access University health and safety resources with one touch.

“LiveSafe, which has a proven track record among many of our peer universities, gives people the flexibility to get help quickly, to let others know where they are at any time, and to have ready access to important health and safety information,” said Derek Kemp, associate vice chancellor for campus safety and risk management.

The LiveSafe app is available to students, faculty, staff and their families, as well as local community members and visitors to campus. It replaces Carolina’s RaveGuardian app, which offered fewer features and had a low usage rate.

The app is part of a comprehensive CarolinaSafe program that provides multiple campus safety resources, including newly installed cameras in heavy traffic corridors, classroom training in how to respond during an emergency situation and an increased UNC public safety presence in downtown Chapel Hill.

LiveSafe is available on iPhone and Android devices. After downloading the app, users should select the UNC affiliation and fill in the user profile. For more information about LiveSafe and other safety resources at UNC-Chapel Hill go to dps.unc.edu/carolinasafe.

---