ATHENS, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
There's an app for just about everything these days, and according to the University of Georgia Police, that includes student safety.
The department is encouraging students to try out a number of different apps that could alert police to danger or could end up saving a student's life.
Some of the apps have been around for awhile, but they haven't really taken off yet. UGA police are trying to change that by making sure students on campus are aware there are a few good ones out there that could help keep them safe.
"I don't promote one over the other and I can't tell you they'll make you completely safe, but if you're looking to enhance what you're doing day to day for how you look at life, I definitely think they can bring an advantage to you," said UGA Police Chief Jimmy Williamson.
As you would imagine there's dozens of safety apps out there and they do a little bit of everything.
"If someone were to grab you, it could go into countdown mode and call a call center just like ADT home alarms and tells them there's a problem. If you don't put in the code it could announce that law enforcement has been contacted," said Williamson.
Some people said apps like that could be a big help.
"It sounds like it would be something that would be useful. The more opportunities for something like this to take affect the better to help out the students stay safe," said Chris Chilas.
But critics like Brinson Camp said it's just as easy to call 911 and most college students would never go for it. Critics also said it could end up backfiring on police.
"I think it could be more problematic and could result in police getting a lot of accidental phone calls from people who forgot to turn a little timer off on their phone app," said Camp.
But whether you use them or not, police said an app will never solve everything.
"The best app you got is right here between your ears," said Williamson.
Police said if the apps gain popularity they could end up becoming up a deterrent to criminals and that would be even better.
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