Schools Increase Safety With Text Message Crime Tips -- Security Today

Schools Increase Safety With Text Message Crime Tips

Sep 23, 2010

Omnilert, maker of e2Campus, the leading unified emergency notification system for education, announced a new crime fighting tool called "uTip" that enables members of the community to send in crime tips via SMS text messages. The service instantly delivers anonymous tips to campus security or police officers' mobile phones and email. Southeastern Illinois College was the first to sign up for the new service.

"We were looking for alternative ways to connect with our students, and for them to connect with us," said Dr. Sarah Bond, Executive Dean of Student Affairs at Southeastern Illinois College. "It has become quite evident that many of today's students are glued to their cell phones when not in class, so uTip seems like a great fit. If a student witnesses a suspicious activity or is in trouble but can't call, we want them to be able to contact us and texting provides an additional option."

The new uTip service allows anyone in the community to communicate directly with school representatives simply by sending an SMS text message from their standard cell phone. Tipsters do not need to be registered with the e2Campus emergency notification system for uTip to work, so anyone in the surrounding neighborhoods or town can text a tip using the service. Schools can setup the service for either anonymous alerts or auditable alerts. Each school can choose which version of the service best meets their policy guidelines.

The school's community can use the service to report suspicious activities that they see on campus, such as theft or vandalism. Communication can be configured to be anonymous, allowing uTipsters to send in tips without the fear or risk of retribution. uTip can also be used to help prevent crimes on campus by reporting incidents before they escalate, and by helping campus safety spot suspicious individuals.

Featured

AI Used as Part of Sophisticated Espionage Campaign

A cybersecurity inflection point has been reached in which AI models has become genuinely useful in cybersecurity operation. But to no surprise, they can used for both good works and ill will. Systemic evaluations show cyber capabilities double in six months, and they have been tracking real-world cyberattacks showing how malicious actors were using AI capabilities. These capabilities were predicted and are expected to evolve, but what stood out for researchers was how quickly they have done so, at scale. Read Now
- Artificial Intelligence
Why the Future of Video Security Is Happening Outside the Cloud

For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reasons. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. Read Now
- Video Surveillance
UL Solutions Launches Artificial Intelligence Safety Certification Services

UL Solutions Inc., a global leader in safety science, today announced the launch of artificial intelligence (AI) safety certification services, enabling comprehensive assessments for evaluating the safety of AI-powered products. Read Now
- Artificial Intelligence
ESA Announces Initiative to Introduce the SECURE Act in State Legislatures

The Electronic Security Association (ESA), the national voice for the electronic security and life safety industry, has announced plans to introduce the SECURE Act in state legislatures across the country beginning in 2025. The proposal, known as Safeguarding Election Candidates Using Reasonable Expenditures, provides a clear framework that allows candidates and elected officials to use campaign funds for professional security services. Read Now
- Guard Services
Ransomware Attacks Rise for the First Time in Six Months

Ransomware attacks have risen for the first time in six months, increasing by 28% month-on-month to 421 attacks. While overall attack volume remained below 500, the uptick may signal a renewed escalation heading into the year’s most active period for cyber criminals. Read Now
- Cybersecurity

Security Today eNews

Sign up today for essential industry news and product information that can help you stay afloat in the fast-paced world of security.

Email Address*Country*

Please type the letters/numbers you see above.

Webinars

Whitepapers

New Products

AC Nio

Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.
Automatic Systems V07

Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.
A8V MIND

Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.