UC Merced launches Bobcat Safety app for smartphones

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- On campus, instrumentality enforcement is determination to support you safe.

Blue airy exigency phones tin rapidly link you to assistance and now, much resources are becoming disposable to heighten information astatine UC Merced.

"I'm excited, and I deliberation it'll beryllium 1 of those things that volition instrumentality disconnected similar wildfire," UC Merced Police Chief Chou Her said.

Her says the Bobcat Safety Resource app is disposable to download close present connected your smartphone.

It's formally launching astatine the commencement of the schoolhouse year.

"It's a spot for students, faculty, unit and employees to travel successful and supply resources connected safety," Her said.

You indispensable person a UC Merced email code to entree it, but aft you motion successful the archetypal time, you ne'er person to motion successful again.

The app allows users to rapidly find information information, including field maps and telephone numbers to the field constabulary department, Merced Police Department oregon the sheriff's office.

It besides provides a virtual bluish airy exigency phone.

"It's an instant interaction -- you really ringing into dispatch, and it shows america wherever you're at," Her said.

Users tin anonymously study crimes to police.

There's besides a "Friend Walk" feature, which is simply a self-escort service.

You tin click the button, nonstop it to a person and they tin way you arsenic you marque your mode to your destination.

"This bully happening astir this app is if you halt for an extended play of time, it'll inquire you, 'Is everything ok?'" Her said.

Chief Her says helium hopes each pupil connected field downloads the escaped app and takes vantage of the caller features.

"Our extremity is to capable this up with each of the services that our students want," Her said.

As students and unit commencement utilizing this app this fall, the section says they'll beryllium connected feedback.

That way, they tin marque changes oregon additions to marque the app much resourceful.

For quality updates, travel Jessica Harrington connected Facebook, X and Instagram.