Get the App
The Stanford Department of Public Safety is providing emergency and safety support directly to students and faculty through SafeZone. To use SafeZone a smartphone or desktop computer application is required.
SafeZone can be used whenever you are on the Stanford University campus. If you are not on campus, the app will still be able to place a 911 call to the local emergency dispatch center, but no location information will be shared.
* Note that on iOS devices, after pressing the alert-911 button, an additional tap is required to place the call to 911.
This application will provide direct access to and from Public Safety if an emergency occurs, or if first aid or other assistance is needed. In the event of an emergency, the app allows you to quickly share your location and details and also place a call to 911 dispatchers - essentially, the app is an emergency blue tower you can carry with you.
“SafeZone brings the functionality of a blue emergency tower to your mobile device, regardless of where you are on campus, and even if you can't describe your location to responders,” said SUDPS Chief Laura Wilson. “Activating an alert in the app simultaneously raises an alert that shares the GPS location to DPS staff at the operations desk and our officers in the field.” The application can continue to share your location until you are found or the alert is canceled, which is helpful in the event that an individual needs to move to safety or is otherwise not stationary during the alert.
Scan the QR Code
Scan a QR Code or select the appropriate link for your mobile device.The application is free to download for iOS and Android smartphones and for desktop computers. * Note that using the app requires Single Sign on to access security features.
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/safezone/id533054756
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.criticalarc.safezoneapp
Facts & Questions
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The Department of Public Safety and University IT are working to offer this resource to the community, on a compressed timeline. The project roadmap includes the addition of more features and safety resources for the campus community.
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The SafeZone app is designed for use anywhere in the world. Currently, the app is setup to dial 911 anywhere in the United States, but future enhancements could allow dialing for emergency resources in other countries, some of which have separate numbers for police, fire, or medical emergencies.
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The SafeZone app will still provide 911 dialing with a few taps. However, Stanford DPS will not receive an alert with your GPS location, nor will the app transmit that information to the closest 911 call center. Your location is only shared with DPS when you activate a SafeZone alert, while on campus.
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Tap the map pin icon at the top-right of the SafeZone app screen. It will open a Google or Apple map showing your location and the boundaries of the blue-shaded area that is the campus zone.
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Only DPS responders and DPS operations staff receive alerts. Location informatin cannot be accessed by other SafeZone users in the community.
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Although the application requests your permission to share your location while you are using the app, no GPS data is sent until you activate a resource by tapping one of the buttons in the app.
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The application stores the alert information for one year.
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CriticalArc, the company who designed and maintains the SafeZone system, has submitted a thorough review of their security architecture to the university Information Security Office and Privacy Office. Because CriticalArc has numerous clients in Europe as well as the U.S., the company has met very strict EU certification standards for information security, and thus has been deemed low risk in the university's evaluation.
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If you have sent an alert accidentally, hit the red 'cancel' button. Once on the main SafeZone screen, hit the blue button to call the DPS office and inform them it was an accidental activation.
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Don't hang up until you have spoken with a dispatcher to let them know it was an accident. Otherwise, a deputy will be dispatched to the location to follow up, in accordance with current protocols.
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SafeZone has features designed to optimize battery usage. Motion and activity detection limits the amount of location polling which is carried out (if allowed in your device's permissions).
The app can also have different activity profile settings, 'default' is recommended here for most users, as the 'high' setting will increase battery usage.
Also, remember to move SafeZone to the background when not being used.
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Tap the map pin icon at the top-right of the SafeZone app screen. It will open a Google or Apple map showing your location and the boundaries of the blue-shaded area that is the campus zone.
Additionally, click here to view Stanford SafeZone map.