Kevin Mullins is the CEO of SaferMobility, a startup tackling business and personal safety through digital technology.
On any given weekend, a college student can order a Domino’s pizza and have it hand-delivered no matter where they are—whether it’s the library, a study hall or a party. That’s because delivery apps use geolocation services to make sure there are no snags when it comes to getting a hungry student their fresh pepperoni pie.
Yet surprisingly, if that same student calls 911 during an emergency, campus police too often run into snags trying to determine their precise whereabouts, due to known issues with cell-tower triangulation when an emergency call is placed from a mobile device. This disparity is striking—and deeply concerning, given the high rate of campus-based violence plaguing schools across the country.
Studies show that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men on college campuses will experience a sexual assault during their time in college. Despite the frequency of such incidents, universities continue to direct a massive amount of their safety budgets toward robust emergency notification systems (ENS) designed for active shooter events or widespread public safety threats. While there’s no denying the importance of having these broadcast systems in place, everyday threats to individual safety remain inadequately addressed at most universities.
Modern technologies and tools already exist to close these safety gaps, but it’s up to institutional leaders to make the life-saving upgrades needed to create a truly secure student environment.
The Location Disparity
When a student uses a delivery or ride-hailing app, their phone’s GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals integrate to provide a precise location, typically within a few feet. In contrast, a 911 call from the same mobile device usually reaches a municipal dispatcher first, who must then transfer it to campus authorities. Even once the call is successfully routed to campus dispatchers, outdated cellular triangulation methods often only narrow the caller’s position to a few hundred meters, leaving responders uncertain of where to direct aid.
For a student facing an immediate, isolated threat in a dorm or a dimly lit parking lot, rapid and targeted intervention is essential. Every second wasted trying to either route a 911 call or find a student’s precise location can make the difference between their safe removal from a dangerous situation or an adverse outcome.
Limitations Of Legacy Systems
Historically, universities have depended on legacy safety measures, including ENS notifications for widespread alerts and “blue box” emergency call stations. While these tools serve a purpose during large-scale threats, they prove insufficient for individual crises.
In response to several high-profile campus shootings in the 2000s, universities made huge investments into ENS technology, which is capable of delivering campus-wide alerts in seconds. These systems have proven vital for coordinated responses to major incidents and have saved countless lives over the years. However, one thing they cannot do is direct first responders to the specific room or hallway where a student needs urgent help.
Another widespread university security investment in recent decades has been “blue box” emergency phones, which are often scattered throughout campus and provide a direct line to campus police. Once considered cutting-edge, these stations are now limited by their immobility; if a student cannot access one or is unable to activate it, the system becomes ineffective. Moreover, every student now has their own phone in their pocket, and maintaining such an obsolete tool imposes significant costs on universities.
Geofencing And Advanced Safety Solutions
Fortunately, technology exists that can modernize campus safety. Geofencing capabilities leverage Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS to forge a perimeter around a campus, which guarantees that any call placed within a certain radius will go directly to campus police. Further, it can pinpoint a caller’s location with remarkable precision, often within inches. This ensures a swift and accurate response—even if the student relocates after dialing.
Another technology campus safety leaders should consider investing in is mobile-escort apps that allow students to video chat with campus police while walking home, should they feel uncomfortable or want an added layer of security, especially when walking at night.
Universities can further increase safety measures by adopting technology with real-time threat detection and proactive monitoring in high-risk areas, like mobile safety apps with panic buttons and anonymous reporting capabilities that encourage students to submit threats to campus law enforcement. In addition to conducting regular safety audits, student-led safety committees can identify risks that may only be apparent to students.
The Resistance To Change
If these technologies are so effective, why do most institutions hesitate to adopt them? There are likely a myriad of reasons, but it’s possible that crime reporting procedures mandated by The Clery Act play a significant role. Although virtuous in its intent, by mandating the public disclosure of campus crime statistics, the law can incentivize underreporting. Advanced location tools increase the likelihood of documenting incidents accurately, potentially elevating reported crime rates—a prospect that unsettles administrators and donors. Additionally, heightened call volumes would require more follow-up and data management, straining resources.
Yet the obligation to safeguard students must supersede concerns about statistics or public perception. Whether responding to an assault or a medical emergency, universities cannot afford to prioritize reputation over responsibility.
An Urgent Safety Imperative
The onus is on both families and institutional leaders to insist on progress when it comes to implementing new and innovative technologies that keep university students safe.
While investment in security for large-scale threats remains essential, universities must deploy a dual strategy: maintaining comprehensive ENS notifications for mass incidents while integrating app-based, geofenced technologies that link students directly to campus responders.
By leveraging precise, real-time solutions, institutions can assure parents that the safety of their children—our leaders of tomorrow—is not left to chance.
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