Be a Safe Jag: SUPD Speaks on Jag Safe

Two weeks ago at Southern University, a former student of the University was confronted by campus police on duty for being banned off campus. The conversation quickly escalated as the student slammed his Jeep into one of the officers’ car and continued to make his
getaway after refusing to step out his vehicle. During the incident, gunshots were heard all throughout the back of the campus. Fortunately, no casualties were made and anyone that was present at the scene of the crime was unharmed and free from any life threatening injury. As stated in the follow up article of the campus shooting, students have been wondering why they
didn’t receive any alerts from the “Jag Safe” applicaion, which the Southern University Police
Department provides that can be downloaded in the app store on your device. However,
according to SUPD’s Police Chief Joycelyn Johnson, the situation was under control and there wasn’t an any need to send out an alert through the app. Johnson wants all SU students to be informed about how to use the app correctly. In doing so, Johnson encourages students to explore the app daily to learn about all its features, especially in the case of an active shooter. “I feel that this is great thing for us to have because one of the feature of the app lets us
locate whoever, no matter if it’s inside a building,” said Johnson. Johnson said that anybody who has access to the app can send a text through the app without making a phone call, which will be transferred to a dispatch. “It peaked my interest to this app after seeing a couple of other schools having these types of systems at the palm of your hand,” said Johnson. Johnson commented that it’s more to the “Jag Safe” app than what students know of,
referring to the fact that any issues that occur or more than likely technical. “Students need to learn how it operates in order to fully understand how the app works,”
said Johnson. According to Johnson, SUPD will attempt to have more forums and meet and greet sessions to accommodate the students of their safety and how to correctly utilize the app. However, she says it’s all about communication and downloading the app for that purpose. SU Police Officer Bryan Philson, who’s been on the force for over a year now, agreed
that the app is worth downloading. “I think we’ve seen that seen issues at universities and other areas that have happened and the lives were saved because of the notifications,” said Philson.
According to Philson, the app has a “Get Help” red button which will send a text out to
SUPD dispatch office instead of a department off campus. It gives you five seconds to disable it but if not, an officer will be on the move to the destination of the call. For more information, download the “Jag Safe” app or visit SUPD, located behind T.T.
Allain.