The campus safety app Oswego Guardian was released this semester as a result of improved technology.

Before the upgrade to Oswego Guardian, there was Rave Guardian, an app in which a text or call was sent to the University Police whenever the caller was in an unfamiliar situation.

“The new app is basically a blue light emergency system available right on your phone,” said University Police Chief John Rossi.

Rossi mentioned that there are three components to the new app.

The panic button provides app users with a button for emergency calls directly to University Police. Dispatch receives the call while an alert system message sounds off on the computer screen revealing the location of the caller.

Audrey Diaz, a junior who takes multiple night classes throughout the week, downloaded the Oswego Guardian as soon as she heard about it.

“I feel that the Oswego Guardian app is such a great idea for students on campus, I would use it and it will help me feel safe when I’m walking to my night class and home,” Diaz said.

The tip texting feature is another addition in which the app user can send an anonymous crime tip report, as well as send and receive texts from the dispatcher whenever calling is of inconvenience.

“With texting you can take a photo as well and send that with the text,” Rossi said.

The third component includes a safety timer where a student can pick a contact to be a guardian. According to the Oswego Guardian pamphlet, the app user can set up the safety timer that notifies trusted contacts to check in on them when they are alone, heading somewhere unfamiliar or meeting someone they don’t know.

“Let’s say you’re walking back from the library at 3 a.m. to Moreland Hall and it takes you 10 minutes to walk,” Rossi said. “If the timer is not deactivated within that time, the University Police Department will call you and find out where you are based on the GPS of the phone.”

“I think it’s an awesome idea giving the students of Oswego a nice and secure environment,” said senior Nicholas Brain. “The quick response of the reliable university police is an excellent way to keep this campus safe and enjoyable.”

According to Rossi, the subscription rate of Oswego Guardian, recently released earlier this semester, is low. There have not been many reports from the app yet.

“We’ve gotten a few timers that have expired but no emergency calls yet,” Rossi said.

Oswego Guardian is available for free in the App Store and in the Google Play store for all Oswego State students, staff and faculty members.

“Its better to have it and not use it then be in a situation when you need it and don’t have it” Rossi said.