New personal safety resources launching for faculty, staff and students in Indianapolis
A new personal safety app, SafeZone, is now available to download by those living, working and attending classes in Indianapolis. (Photo provided by Purdue Brand Studio)
New resources to help ensure personal safety are launching for those working, attending classes and living at the Indianapolis location. One of the new resources is emergency support in the palm of your hand. A new app to enhance safety management is now available for faculty and staff.
SafeZone App
SafeZone is an app members of the campus community can download for emergency management resources. Comparable to emergency blue light telephones in West Lafayette, this wireless option provides an easy and consistent way to receive help at the Indianapolis location. The location-based app also provides support for mental health and wellbeing incidents.
“We are excited to launch this unified safety and emergency management platform,” said Chief Lesley Wiete of the Purdue University Police Department. “It will help enhance campus safety at our Indianapolis location and streamline responses.”
Faculty and staff may download the app now from the App Store or Google Play. Students will be able to download and start using the app later in the semester.
Safe Ride with Lyft
Also, new to Indianapolis is a safe ride pilot program for Purdue students provided through Lyft. Beginning Monday, Feb. 23, Lyft will provide students with rides to and from several campus destinations on and around the Indianapolis location, including the Student Center, Lux on Capitol, the National Institute for Fitness and Sport and some nearby healthcare facilities.
The service will operate seven days a week from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. throughout the pilot period, which runs through Sunday, May 31. Each student will receive five ride credits per month. The credits are only usable within the outlined geo-fenced areas on the map. Students may also share rides with other students to maximize the value of each credit.
More information about signing up and email verification will be communicated to students through email.
Other Resources
Other safety resources currently available at the Indianapolis location include the PurdueALERT emergency notification system and the Safe Walk program.
Members of the campus community in Indianapolis are encouraged to sign up for emergency text notifications through PurdueALERT. The system also consists of emails and social platform X (@PurdueALERT). There are also all-hazard outdoor warning sirens that may be activated during severe weather or another campus emergency.
The Safe Walk program is available through the IU Indianapolis Police Department for those needing to get anywhere west of West Street on campus. By calling 317-274-SAFE (7233), an officer will arrive to provide a safe walk 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please note the Safe Walk program does not provide services to the Student Center or Lux on Capitol.
Additional Purdue resources for Indianapolis, including building emergency plans and information on how to report a safety concern, are available on the Indianapolis Operations website.