ROCHESTER – The Oakland University Police Department has launched a text message alert system to notify students, faculty and staff in the event of a major emergency on campus.

The OUPD’s emergency dispatch center has also been upgraded to receive text messages, and is one of the only police departments nationwide with this capability. In addition, a U.S. Department of Education grant of $423,999 was earned by the OUPD for forthcoming campus violence prevention initiatives.

Oakland University has always maintained comprehensive procedures to contact the campus community en masse should a crisis situation occur. The text message alert system engages new technology to add yet another layer to OU’s existing crisis communication methods.

“The text message system is designed to quickly alert community members who are not sitting in front of a computer or desk phone,” said Oakland University Police Chief Samuel Lucido. “We hope we never have to use the text message alert system, but it is reassuring to have the technology in place.

“Because our ability to reply to text messages is limited, and to enhance our ability to respond appropriately to emergency calls, we always prefer to receive reports or notifications by voice �?? 911 from campus phones or (248) 370-3333 from cell phones. However, if you ever find yourself in a dangerous situation and you cannot call or would feel more comfortable texting our dispatcher for assistance, we welcome tips and reports by text.”

Any registered student or active employee with an OU e-mail address and Grizzly ID can sign up for the text message alert system by visiting OU’s Emergency Preparedness Web site, Oakland.Edu/Ready Only individuals who subscribe via this Web site will receive emergency text messages. Voice alerts are available for those without text messaging capability.

In addition, the OUPD’s Dispatch Communications Center is now capable of receiving text message tips and reports through a unique computer system designed by OU’s University Technology Services. Text messages may be sent to the OUPD dispatcher at email [email protected]

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