WASHINGTON (WUSA9) -- Colleges have increased security in recent years, adding more surveillance cameras and communication methods. A new app is not only helping students stay safe, but it's helping police departments catch criminals.
Georgetown University, Virginia Tech and VCU are among several universities that have signed on to the LiveSafe app. It lets students text directly to law enforcement. It also has a GPS walking feature, which lets students ask others to watch them walk somewhere to make sure they reach their destination.
"I've seen some of my friends us the safe-walk feature and kind of watch your friend walking home, which is really helpful," said Georgetown University Student Body Vice President Omika Jikaria.
She said a video that a student took and sent to police with LiveSafe led to an arrest.
Georgetown University Police Chief Jay Gruber confirmed that a suspect who exposed himself was arrested after the student tip came in from LiveSafe. Chief Gruber spoke highly of the App and said it has led to "dozens of tips" in the first month of school.
Shy Pahlelvani, founder of LiveSafeMobile.com said the app is helping to deter crime on college campuses because "no criminal wants to be pinpoint on a safety map."
Co-founder Koont said the LiveSafe app is being used on college campuses in 18 states so far.
However, when a Verizon iPhone was used, the signal was poor in Georgetown and the walking feature did not work. The AT&T phone worked fine.
