U.K. Police Dept. enhances campus safety with Safezone App

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The University of Kentucky is rolling out a major new tool aimed at improving safety on campus. UK Police have launched the SafeZone app — a free, one-touch safety resource designed to give students, faculty, and staff faster access to help when they need it most.

According to the university, the launch comes at a critical time, as research shows young women attending college face a higher risk of sexual violence. UK Police Chief Joe Monroe says the app is designed to make safety more proactive, responsive, and accessible.

“This app is definitely a game changer for us,” officials said in the release. “It gives us one platform to push out information and make sure our students have multiple resources right in their hands.”

The SafeZone app provides several key features:

• An emergency button that immediately connects users to UKPD, or to local authorities if they’re off campus.
• A virtual “check-in” timer that alerts police if the user becomes unresponsive or needs assistance.
• Real-time monitoring by UKPD communications officers for students who want a virtual walk-through escort.
• Access to first aid guidance, mental health resources, and the national suicide crisis line.
• The ability to connect with local law enforcement even when traveling or visiting campuses that also use SafeZone.

Chief Monroe says the goal is simple: to prevent crime before it happens and respond more effectively when it does.

“We want to be more proactive and preventative in solving crimes as well as responding to our students and visitors,” he said.

UK Police say the app’s global compatibility makes it useful well beyond campus borders. It also includes a well-being tab that links users to support services both on and off campus.

In addition to SafeZone, Chief Monroe notes UK is also using drones to help pinpoint emergency situations across campus.