UK hopes to increase safety with new smart phone app

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – UK is launching the LiveSafe App this week, hoping to improve security on and off campus. The university’s student government and police department teamed up to bring the app to the school.

Students and employees can download the free app through iTunes and Google Play. About 1,000 people have already downloaded the app.

UK already has blue light towers spread around campus, which allow people to contact UK Police if they are needed. Student Body President Jake Ingram says students were still concerned with security off campus, outside the reach of the blue light towers.

Ingram said, "LiveSafe serves as a compliment to the investment in campus security that UK has already done. This includes the blue light towers. LiveSafe puts the power of a blue light tower right in your pocket."

The app allows users to report crimes or suspicious activity to police through text, pictures, and video. If a student is walking home at night, they can ask a friend to virtually walk them home. Through the app, a friend will watch the GPS location of the person walking home. If something goes wrong, the person watching can contact police.

If a person uses a cell phone to call police, law enforcement can’t tell exactly where the person that needs help is located. If the call or text to police is made through the app, UK dispatchers can see exactly where the person making the call is and respond more quickly.

UK is the first university to use LiveSafe in Kentucky.