Enhance Your Personal Safety with New UC App

As part of the University of Cincinnati’s ongoing commitment to campus safety, the University of Cincinnati Department of Public Safety is launching Bearcat Guardian, a free mobile app that turns any smartphone into a personal safety device.

By downloading Bearcat Guardian on your mobile device, you can invite friends and family to join your network as your “Guardians.” Once you have established who you want to be your Guardians, you can request one or more of them to virtually walk with you on or off campus. It’s like having an emergency blue light system and a trusted friend with you at all times.

How does the Guardian app work?

First, download and set up an account. The Bearcat Guardian App can be downloaded in the Apple or Google Play stores by searching for “Rave Guardian.” You can add your name, campus address, medical notes and other pertinent information for campus safety in case of emergency.

Secondly, begin adding contacts to join your “Guardian network.” Invite family, friends or others to be your Guardian, and communicate with them within the app as needed.

If for any reason you feel unsafe, you can set a Safety Timer with your Guardians. For instance, imagine a student is walking across campus. The walk back to the residence hall usually takes the student about 10 minutes. In the app, the user can set up a 10-minute safety timer with personal Guardian contacts.If the student does not deactivate the safety timer after 10 minutes, the Guardians will be immediately be notified. Guardians will also have access to important details such as the phone’s location on a map and contact information.

The app also allows for easy emergency communication. In an emergency situation, one button in the app directly connects the user to UC Public Safety or 9-1-1.

Lastly, if you see something, you can now say something anonymously with the help of the app’s ‘Send Anonymous Tips’ feature. However, in an ongoing situation, users should call 9-1-1 rather than submit a tip.

UC encourages all students, faculty and staff to download the free campus safety app.

To learn more about the Bearcat Guardian app, go to http://www.uc.edu/publicsafety/services/guardian-app.html.