LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — UofL is using a new technology that provides students and staff security at their fingertips.
UofL doesn’t have the blue emergency light poles scattered around campus anymore because they weren’t getting much use. Instead, students now have a new app to call campus security when they feel unsafe.
That’s welcome news for sophomore Jordan Shuman, who said “it is a little scary sometimes walking home alone.”
Freshman Everett Boyer recently had to walk “all the way to the parking lot in the dark” when the buses weren’t running.
Many students at the University of Louisville can recall a time when they felt unsafe, but not as many know about the new CardArmor app that’s now available. It’s a one-stop-shop for all of the university’s safety resources.
“I feel much safer now, knowing that it’s here,” said sophomore Jasmine Letson.
Maj. Oscar Chavez, a UofL police officer, is also a dad to one of the students. His daughter, Cierra, is a junior on the rowing team.
When the school was looking for ways to make students feel safer, he asked for Cierra’s advice.
“I asked, ‘Is this something that you believe the students would use?’ and she said yes.”
And she was right. Chavez said several people are already using the app’s “virtual walk home” feature.
“You can be watched as you walk, either by a friend or a family member, or you can also request our dispatch center to watch you walk,” Chavez said.
The app is a major upgrade from when the university used the blue light poles. Chavez said he only recalls the poles being used twice in more than six years.
“One was a prank, and the other, there was nobody there when the police officers arrived,” Chavez said.
The CardArmor app also allows students to report suspicious activity, find school resources and request a ride from campus security.
“It acts much like Uber or Lyft,” Chavez said. “We call it the Card Cruiser. It’s a safety escort.”
All the resources are available just by pushing a button.
“Sometimes I don’t really like talking to people cause it makes me feel nervous sometimes,” Letson said. “Having this makes me feel a lot comfortable now.”
The CardArmor app is available for both students and staff to download and use.
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