App to feature emergency information and tools for students and staff
As part of the president’s update on safety to the York community, the creation of a mobile safety application was announced.
In response to the crimes that have occurred at York, the university’s communications and public affairs division and the office of the vp finance and administration have been working on the development of the York U Safety App since late summer to early fall.
The app is accessible on iPhone, Android, and Blackberry devices, is free, and can be downloaded from the QR code on the safety awareness campaign posters starting early February as well as on York’s safety website, explains Robert Castle, senior advisor of policy, operations and communications.
York is using a similar platform to the one implemented at Queen’s University for their mobile safety app, called Sekure, Castle says.
The app allows users to make direct calls to York security and 911, is readied with a flashlight, and a photo feature that allows you to take a picture and send it to security. The app also provides direct links to the campus map, goSAFE and shuttle bus information, and community resources, including SASSL and the Centre for Human Rights, among others.
The app is equipped with an alarm to allow harassment victims to attract attention to themselves, and to deter potential perpetrators, says Castle.
York’s Community Safety Council, comprised of students, faculty, and staff, developed the app and modified it according to the needs of York community members.
“It was certainly great to hear members of the community saying they would appreciate having a safety app,” says Castle. “It sort of dovetails nicely.”
“I think it’s going to be a good tool for people to have on their smartphones.”
-With files from Melissa Sundardas
Kathryn DeGrano, Contributor
