Safety should be a part of everyone’s priority list. As SCAD Atlanta students, being on an open campus is not always the safest. Yes, SCAD does all they can do to keep us safe, but there are still precautions we must take as individuals living in a city. There are many devices out today to help with safety – one that I own and use is WearSafe. This is a lovely device I won from a Her Campus SCAD ATL giveaway last quarter (there will be plenty more of those). We’ve all experienced those late nights working on assignments in the main building, dreading the long walk back to our dorm, bypassing the wait on the shuttle (unless, conveniently, it is there already). Plenty of SCAD students walk on their own. So, WearSafe is the perfect solution. It comes in a perfectly designed little package, is easy to set up, and very discrete – perfect for everyday wear.
WearSafe
How it works:
The instructions come with a prompt for you to download the app and then, create an account. The app will then guide you to add contacts into their system. For example, I added a couple of family members and friends I can always count on to answer their phones.
Those contacts then get a message from WearSafe to verify themselves and allow you to add them as an emergency contact.
Next, you’ll turn on your phones Bluetooth, and connect your WearSafe device. It’ll have you do a test to ensure that the device works. All you do is hold down the button for a second or so and then it vibrates to let you know it works.
What it does:
- Sends audio from your location
- Streams your GPS location (when pressed)
- Vibrates silently to let you know help is on the way
- Weather proof and can be worn everyday
- Works within a 200-foot radius of your smart phone
Finally, if you check out the WearSafe website, you’ll be able to purchase the device and service periods. They are all pretty cheap. They average about 5 bucks a month.
Here are a few reminders for walking and transporting around Midtown:
Pedestrians
According to the Governor’s office of Highway Safety in Georgia, crossing roadway anywhere other than at crosswalks is completely legal as long as you yield the right away to traffic. Jaywalking is a term people use for crossing anywhere other than the crosswalk, but it is not a legal term. It is not against the law as long as there are no signs saying not to. Of course, using the cross walk is in your best interest most of the time, as not everyone is a good driver. Always make sure to observe both directions of traffic, and to be aware while walking. Wearing headphones is okay, but it could distract you from your surroundings; so, perhaps consider having the volume on low. If they are expensive headphones, consider leaving them at home or in your bag, as it may attract the unnecessary attention of people who would like to take them (and other things) from you.
SCAD Students
The number to call for SCAD Atlanta security is (404) 253-3333. Information on the bus schedules can be found at online. The SCAD Bee Line runs a regular schedule during the day to all SCAD buildings. After regular hours, the shuttle runs 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Saturday through Wednesday. The route usually takes 10 minutes to make, so that it’s the maximum wait time. For off campus students, who live within a three-mile radius of campus, there is a SafeRide shuttle that offers transportation everyday 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. This is a wonderful option for students who work at school late at night and would rather not walk or Uber home. Arranging a SafeRide is as easy as calling SCAD Atlanta security.