By Vincent DiFonzo, Content Manager
On Tuesday, Executive Director of Campus Safety Alex Wiltz sent out a campus-wide email to announce a new app to make communication with Campus Safety easier during both emergency and non-emergency situations for all members of the campus community.
The app, called CampusShield, features multiple efficient ways to contact Campus Safety and for Campus Safety to respond. Wiltz outlined the important features of the app and how they can improve safety on-campus.
Homescreen of CampusShield (Photo Courtesy of Alex Wiltz)
Wiltz explained the app’s mobile blue light feature that, when activated by the caller, alerts Campus Safety officers of the emergency and gives the caller’s location. Off-campus, the app can be used to call 911.
CampusShield also includes a “safety timer” that features a countdown that must be cleared with a pin. If not turned off before the end of the countdown, it will alert your selected emergency contacts to your location. Wiltz explained that this could be useful if a student is out at night and needs a friend or family member to know their location in case of emergency.
Information related to a non-emergency situation can be submitted to Campus Safety through the app, including photos. Wiltz further explained that a Campus Safety dispatcher can follow up through the app if they have additional questions.
Similar to a CARE form, community members can also report a concern to college life through the app. The concern will be directed to the person best suited to help.
Additionally, Wiltz explained that Campus Safety cannot use the app to track your location outside of an emergency. The app needs access to your phone’s location services in order to send your location to officers during an emergency, but will not access your location unless an emergency is prompted.
When registering, Wiltz reminded the campus community to use their Gettysburg College email address. CampusShield is available to download on the App Store and the Google Play store.
