The Washington University Sentinel, a new safety and security mobile app for the Danforth and Medical campuses, is now available. The app is free and provides students, faculty and staff easy access to emergency numbers, crime alerts and safety tips.
“We always are looking for new ways to share safety and security information with the community,” said Washington University Police Chief Don Strom. “This app allows us to streamline a lot of information from various sources in one place.”
The app is available on iTunes; an Android version is forthcoming.
Features include:
• Numbers for: University Police and escorts; Student Health Services on the Danforth Campus: School of Medicine Protective Services and escorts; and Medical Campus Health Service
• Daily crime logs
• Crime alerts
• Annual security reports
• Tips for ATM, credit card, bike, laptop, vehicle, residence hall and apartment security
• Information about sexual assault and relationship abuse
• Tips for emergency preparedness
Users also may use the app to report tips, though Strom said he encourages community members to call University Police directly.
“We like to have live contact, but this is another way for the public to communicate with us,” Strom said.
The app does not replace WUSTLAlerts, the existing emergency notification system. In the case of an emergency, whether it be a tornado or an active-shooter situation, information still will be sent to student and employee phones and email accounts and posted on the emergency information website. Students may register their phones through WebSTAC; employees may register their phones through the Human Resource Management System.
“The app is not for everything,” said John Ursch, School of Medicine Protective Services director. “But it does provides an extra layer of useful information.”