NSU brings new safety app to campus to keep students safe

(Tahlequah, Oklahoma) -- A new campus safety app is coming to Northeastern State University. Omnigo Community (formerly known as Blert!) is a mobile phone app designed to improve communication between students and the University Police Department. The app is free for students, faculty and visitors.

The NSU Police Department has chosen to implement the new app as a proactive approach to safety and security. Studies have demonstrated that students are often hesitant to report campus crime or suspicious activity. Fear that involvement on their part may result in disciplinary actions or retaliation, as well as uncertainty about what constitutes a crime, who to contact or how they can help are just a few factors that contribute to this hesitation.

Omnigo Community was developed as a response to this problem. With Omnigo, students can communicate with University Police dispatch anonymously to report an issue, get clarification on what constitutes a crime or to send a photo or video of something that just doesn't seem right. Omnigo is connected to the University Police computer aided dispatch system and reports to Omnigo can be seamlessly dispatched to an officer and generate reports.

A better understanding of the incidents on campus can help prevent crime and create a safer community at NSU.

The addition of Omnigo to our communications system will speed our response to an emergency and reduce the number of computer systems that need monitoring in the dispatch center, University Police Captain James Bell said.

Omnigo works by using a chat interface so students are able to have a direct, anonymous conversation with University Police. University Police are able to view the GPS location of the individual sending the message in order to send assistance if necessary. The app also allows users to access important safety policies and procedures, making them readily available for students, faculty and visitors through their mobile devices.

With the adoption of Omnigo, NSU will be combining the latest innovations in technology with traditional campus safety. NSU takes safety very seriously, and the University Police Department confirms that reliable, easy communication is paramount to student and faculty safety.

To use Omnigo Community download the app and enter the organizational ID RiverHawks and PIN 2468 to register.

For more information about Omnigo, please contact the University Police Department at 918-444-2468.