The launched the 聽on Friday, Sept. 22, in replacement of the Rave Guardian app. Orange Safe was created to foster a safer community for 黑料不打烊 students, faculty and staff. The app offers a variety of new features such as Safe Walk, Social Escape and more. I spent some time with the app and picked five of my favorite features to share!
Safe Walk
The Safe Walk feature allows you to text your friends or loved ones your exact location when walking somewhere. They will have a few minutes to accept your location request, and then can watch live to make sure you arrive safely at your destination. This feature is great for when you鈥檙e walking alone or if you feel unsafe. All you have to do is enter the phone number of whom you want to track your walk, and the app will send them a live feed invitation.
Social Escape
The Social Escape feature gives you a chance to escape a tough social situation. All you have to do is enter your phone number and the time you want to receive a call. From there, your phone will ring at your requested time. When you answer, a message will play telling you about Social Escape. This gives you a chance to escape the social situation for however long you need. It鈥檚 a great feature for people who struggle to leave certain situations without having a reason. I think this feature is extremely beneficial and has already helped me!
On Campus BlueLight
Most of us have heard of the University’s Blue Light System. When I think of the Blue Light system, I typically think of physically pressing one of the lit-up towers around campus. Now with the Orange Safe app, you can just tap the BlueLight button on your phone and your location will be sent directly to DPS. DPS will receive your call and location in real time and assist you from there. This feature is great for people who are unable to get to one of the towers.
Report a Tip
Has something recently happened that you feel DPS should know about? Now you can report a tip directly through the Orange Safe app or by chatting with them through messages. There are a few different options: you can submit a tip with your profile, be a 鈥渟ilent witness鈥 and report anonymously or call them directly. Having this feature on the app gives people a chance to say whatever they please and not feel pressured to go to DPS in person. The Report a Tip feature should not be used to report an emergency; for a timely request or emergency, call 315.443.2224.
Emergency Plans
With uncontrollable weather and events, we don’t know what might happen next. Emergency plans allow students, faculty and staff to prepare for events such as an active threat, crime in progress, medical emergency, severe weather or a power outage. The plans are easily accessible on the app and can be accessed without cell phone service.
In case you have any privacy concerns, the Orange Safe app doesn’t track your location or store data. I personally am a big fan of Orange Safe, and I think it鈥檚 a great safety resource to have on campus. If you鈥檇 like to have the Orange Safe app for yourself, head to the app store and download it today. Simply use your NetID and password to log in, and you鈥檙e ready to go!
Written By Tessa Hodinger G’23, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications