SUPD launches new app:Student safety; a top priority

The Southern University Police Department launched its new safety app, titled Jag Safe, this fall. The newly active app allows students to request safety escorts, report crimes anonymously, and supplies students with emergency information.
The app was a joint effort that began in the 2015 spring semester with Police Chief Joycelyn Johnson, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Dr. Brandon K. Dumas, Dean Of Students and Special Assistant to the Vice Chancellor Marcus Coleman and former Student Government Association President Nicholas Harris, collectively.
Students have the ability to submit anonymous reports, in the form of text, video or photo.
“If a student knows that they can submit an act of crime and remain anonymous, I’m sure more students would feel secure and more at ease to report crime,” said Johnson.
Being the first Historically Black College to partake in the 911 Cellular Company, SU has the ability to take advantage of the newest version of the app, and is also able to create its own logo, designs and features. One distinct feature that the Jag Safe app has is the Bus Tracker. The after hour shuttle will no longer be on a request basis, but will run from 5 p.m. until 1 a.m. on a route, in which students can track and know of the estimated arrival time and location.
“The students that have an iPhone will have to download an additional app titled the 911 Cellular Bus Tracker,” said Johnson, ensuring that all students can find and access this certain feature.
Another feature is the Friend Watch, which is used when one is alone and wants additional safety. This feature allows students to set a timer, once time is up or the timer is deactivated, a text will be sent to your emergency contact informing them that your timer has been stopped and a link that will show your location, only if your location is turned on.
“Students can at any time change their contact for this feature, by simply editing it under profile,” said Johnson.
The “Get Help” button is one of the app’s most integral features, as it immediately contacts the SU Police Department.
When asked how this app will benefit the campus Johnson responded saying,
“I believe this app will help improve the communications amongst our department and the students, faculty and staff,” said Johnson. “Now students faculty and staff can tell us things without actually being seen.”
Students are urged to download the free app in the Google Play or Apple Store. After downloading there will be a brief informational page that is optional.
“Even though this page is optional it would be nice for students with illnesses to make note of that, so that if an officer is called out we are already familiar with the situation,” added Johnson.
Johnson informed that wifi is not essential for the app to work and that dispatchers will receive the alerts and send out an officer.
“You don’t have to have your wifi on, but location has to be on to have an officer find you in time of emergency,” said Johnson.
“We will use this app on game days, and for emergencies, I want students to use the app and become familiar with it, but this is not a toy, don’t play with it because there are penalties and consequences for playing,” finished Johnson
The SU Police department plans to regularly publish literature to inform students, faculty and staff on the Jag Safe App.