Sep 18, 2014 12:00 PM EDT By J Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

Sacred Heart University in Connecticut has released a new phone application in an effort to enhance the security of its community members both on and off campus, school officials announced.

"We have been working on this project for approximately six months with our vendor, 911 Cellular," Paul Healy, executive director of Public Safety at Sacred Heart University, said in a statement. "We believe it is an excellent enhancement to the strong safety measures that are already in place."

The primary function of the new app SHU Safe is to serve as an emergency communication tool between the school community and campus security. It offers three major features: Emergency call, iReports and safety check.

The emergency call feature allows users to access emergency services at the push of a button. The user can choose police, fire or EMS and will be immediately connected with Campus Security if on campus. If the user is not on campus the call will be routed to the 911 center of the town where he or she is located.

Campus Security will be able to see the location of the caller anywhere on the school's property as long as the phone is connected to the university's Wi-Fi system.

The Reports feature allows students to report suspicious activity or call for help in nonemergency situations. They can report everything from a suspicious person to vandalism or theft. The feature can also be used to call for help with a flat tire, locked door or other nonemergency. The iReports feature may be used anonymously.

The safety check feature allows for a check-in with someone in the user's contact list.

"For example, if a student is going to be walking home from class late at night or going for a jog after dark, he or she can let a contact know the expected arrival time. If the feature is not deactivated by the appointed time, the contact will receive a text," school officials explained.

This application is available for both iPhone and Android users.

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