LiveSafe App Coming to Bellarmine

BY CATHERINE TERRELL, STAFF WRITER

Bellarmine University’s campus has a reputation for being very safe, but officials said they hope to make it safer with LiveSafe, an app designed specifically to increase security and overall well-being on college campuses. The app will be introduced on the BU campus late this semester.

Founded by a survivor of the Virginia Tech shooting, LiveSafe allows students to better communicate with both campus and public safety officials. Through LiveSafe, students can report emergencies, theft, alcohol/drug problems or any suspicious activity and send in their location if they feel threatened.

The app will be connected to a centralized program located in the Campus Security office, so it provides a direct link to campus safety officials. Students will be able to use the app to request a ride from security or anonymously report an incident both on and off campus.

Students can also use a feature in the app called SafeWalk, which allows friends or family to virtually accompany them to their destination if they feel unsafe.

SGA President Amanda Martin describes the app as “an accessible tool to help build a stronger culture of care.”

So how does it work? After downloading the app on a mobile phone, students can enter their basic information and choose Bellarmine University as their school. They will then automatically be connected to Bellarmine’s security department, local emergency services and even their friends who also have the app. Students can send their location to campus security or their friends if they feel unsafe and want to anonymously report any incident.

Assistant Dean of Students Elizabeth Cassady said that out of all the safety apps of its kind, the LiveSafe app “seems to be the absolute premier, most robust option out there.”

At an approximate cost of 89 cents per student/full-time faculty member per year, LiveSafe is an inexpensive and easily accessible way to help Bellarmine community members feel safe. This cost includes LiveSafe representatives coming to campus to provide training on the app.