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Atlanta
Georgia Tech Police hope a new program will keep students safer
Michelle Wirth (2012-02-10)
ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - As part of annual Campus Safety Day, Georgia Tech police demonstrated a new program called Jacket Guardian. Students opt into the program by giving police their picture and personal information. If there's a problem, students dial a number stored on their cell phones. Captain Randy Barrone says that alerts police and brings up students' information. Barrone says police then use GPS technology to quickly locate them.

"I hope it saves lives and prevents them from becoming victims of crime or anything else."

The program comes after a reported rape on campus last semester and three incidents where female students were grabbed by a stranger. Georgia Tech Police Chief Teresa Crocker says Jacket Guardian is not in direct response to those incidents but she believes it will make the campus safer.

"We're using our resources as well as partnerships with Atlanta police department and midtown alliance and we're doing all the things we can think of to keep campus safe."

Crocker also says the department is in the process of hiring five new officers.
 © Copyright 2012, WABE