By Jonah Grinkewitz

Old Dominion University Police revamped its version of the LiveSafe mobile app, making it easier than ever for students, faculty, staff and the Monarch community to contact them in an emergency, report suspicious activity and access safety features like a new panic button, SafeWalk and SAFE RIDE.

The added panic button feature enables users to instantly alert ODU Police during an emergency, automatically sharing their location to ensure swift assistance and dispatch officers. The app also allows users to contact ODU Police 24-hours-a-day and chat anonysmously with the 911 center.

“I encourage all members of the ODU community to increase their safety awareness and abilities by downloading the LiveSafe app,” said ODU Police Chief Garrett Shelton.

Working with the app developer, Vector Solutions, ODU Police refreshed the layout so users have quick access to a variety of tools and resources for emergencies and non-emergencies. LiveSafe is a free app made available by ODU Police to the Monarch community and is designed to prevent crime and enable better incident response. 

Follow these easy steps to download and use the app:
 

  • Download LiveSafe (LiveSafe, Inc.) from the App Store (Apple) or Google Play (Android) on your smartphone.
  • Enable location services for the app – this allows ODU Police to quickly locate you and respond if you report an incident.
  • Select “Old Dominion University” as your organization. 
  • Select “Old Dominion University” as your community. 
  • Click to allow notifications from the app.

Once you’ve downloaded the app, you can access the following features:
 

  • Emergency Contacts: Call or message ODU Police directly from the app. Once you send a message or make a call, the app will share your location with ODU Police. This feature also has an option to call 911, which connects you with the Norfolk Police Department.
  • Panic Alarm: Pressing this button alerts ODU Police and sends them your location. Reminder: location services must be turned on for the app.
  • Report Suspicious Activity: If you see something that doesn’t look right, you can submit photos, video or audio files to ODU Police with a description. This feature also allows you to submit information anonymously. 
  • Safe Walk: This feature allows you to share your location with a friend to make sure you get to your destination safely.
  • SAFE RIDE: This button connects you with SAFE RIDE, ODU’s on-demand bus service that provides free rides to all Monarchs after dark. To add SAFE RIDE directly to your smartphone, download the TransLoc app from the App Store (Apple) or Google Play (Android).
  • Facilities Maintenance: This button connects you with Archibus, ODU’s new online work order ticket system. You can use this to submit non-emergency maintenance requests on campus.
  • Resources: This button gives you access to safety and security information, including emergency procedures for specific situations and a safety map of campus.
  • Talk to a Counselor: This button connects you with trained professionals including ODU’s Confidential Counseling Services, the Women’s and Gender Equity Center, local YWCA Sexual and Domestic Violence Services, the 24/7 National Sexual Assault Hotline and the Suicide Crisis Lifeline.

You can also contact ODU Police by calling (757) 683-4000 for emergencies and (757) 683-5665 for non-emergencies. If you see an ODU Police officer on campus and have a question or need assistance, you can always talk to them directly.