U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Air Force Academy cadets are using a cellphone app developed by a survivor of the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007 to stay safe and connects with a variety of helping agencies.
“This app provides an avenue empowering cadets to directly contact security forces if they see suspicious activity, while most importantly providing a lens to watch over each other while walking from one place to another,” said Brig. Gen. Michelle Edmundson, the Academy’s commandant of cadets. “The safety of our cadets is our No. 1 priority, and this app helps ensure that priority is met.”
Cadet 1st Class Jessica Tuttle said the app’s “Walksafe” feature lets cadets connect with helping agencies no matter where they are.
“It’s a good thing to have when walking around alone at night or in a risky area,” she said. “At the very least, it allows users to report suspicious activity or a non-emergency event by sending pictures, videos, and audio files directly to security forces staff anonymously or by name. For emergencies, the app lets users communicate with security forces via phone call, direct messaging or by calling 911.”
According to LiveSafe’s official website, the app is used by students at hundreds of universities.
The app is available at Google Play Store and the App Store for Android and iPhones.
“LiveSafe” resources
-- Airman and Family Readiness Center
-- Behavioral Health Optimization Program
-- Cadet Nutrition and other health promotion programs
-- Cadet Fitness Center and Human Performance Lab
-- Academy chaplains
-- Equal Opportunity
-- Family Advocacy
-- First sergeants
-- Inspector General
-- Behavioral Health
-- Military Family Life counselors
-- Military OneSource
-- Peak Performance Center
-- Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office
-- Suicide Prevention and Military Crisis Line