The University of Maryland adds another layer of security on campus.?Pat Warren reports students are now able to designate a personal guardian through a smartphone app.?Walking the campus of the University of Maryland by yourself doesn?t necessarily mean you have to be alone.
?The app is called UMD Guardian, which allows students to select a personal guardian, which will then follow them from point A to point B virtually on the guardian?s device,? said Major Marc Limanski, University of Maryland Police Department.
The student picks a person to receive their status information as they make their way from one location to another. It calculates the amount of time that will take, and the timer is set.
In addition, the University of Maryland Police Department can serve as a Guardian.
?When their timer expires, it will then notify us of the student?s location, status and the breadcrumb trail, if you will, of where they were walking to and from,? said Major Limanski.
There?s also an emergency call button. The system is designed to work within the daily routines of app-savvy students.
?Rather than making a phone call, an emergency call, if someone doesn?t feel comfortable making a phone call to the police department, they can use this app to text information to our 911 center,? said Major Limanski.
The interactive features include safety alerts and a system for sending tips that doesn?t involve phone calls. This app is intended to turn a student?s phone into a virtual safety network.
The app is available to all University of Maryland students, staff and faculty with active IDs.
“The UMD Guardian app will empower UMD students, faculty and staff to take a leading role in their safety by transforming any cell phone into a personal safety device,” says UMPD Chief David Mitchell.
The UMD Guardian app is designed to give UMD students, faculty and staff rapid and proactive communications with UMPD, friends, family and co-workers, and even 911 in the event of an emergency.
The UMD Guardian app’s features include:
- Create a safety profile: User-created profiles can contain information such as residence, medical conditions, and a photo. When a call or text is made from the app to UMPD or 911, the dispatcher automatically receives the profile information.
- Manage & message your Guardians: Invite family, friends, co-workers, UMPD, or others to be your Guardian, and communicate with them within the app as needed.
- Set a safety timer: Notify people you trust, or your “Guardians,” to check in on you if you are alone or in an unfamiliar place.
- Easy emergency communication: Call safety officials directly for help if you are in trouble, and send texts, including photos, if you see something suspicious or are unable to speak.
The UMD Guardian app is available to all current UMD students, faculty and staff with an active university ID. However, anyone may download the Rave Guardian app, including friends and family, and become a Guardian.
For more information about UMD Guardian, visit http://umpdnews.umd.edu/umdguardian.
Sources: CBS Local Baltimore, UMPD