Brown starts cell phone safety service

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Brown University launches a new service that's turning cell phones into mobile panic buttons.

The system, called 'Rave Guardian" lets students and staff program a single button on their phone which will instantly alert campus police about an emergency, and also provide them with important information about the caller, including their name and photo.

"I think it's amazing that Brown is offering that to people," says Sara Luxenberg, a Brown University junior.

"If something were to happen to you, you don't have the time to make a 911 call and explain what's going on and explain where you are.  Sometimes you really do just need the touch of a button."

The service also includes a precautionary timer, which allows users to activate a timer before walking on campus, then deactivate it when they arrive at their destination.  If the timer is not deactivated, campus police will call the user to make sure they're OK.

• More information on the Rave Guardian system
• Rave Guardian registration page