Who to call and what to use when you need help.
SafeRoute is just a visualization layer. When something feels off, or if you need real-time help, these are the services and tools that actually move things in the real world.
Emergency contacts
If you or someone around you is in immediate danger, always treat 911 as your first call. SafeRoute can help you plan routes, but it cannot respond to emergencies.
Plug your campus safety numbers into your phone contacts so you don’t have to search for them when you’re stressed. Use them to report suspicious activity, ask for help, or follow up on an incident.
For situations that are not an active emergency but still matter, your local non-emergency line can document issues and dispatch help when appropriate.
Safe ride options
Many campuses partner with rideshare services or run their own shuttles to help students get home safely at night. SafeRoute is intended to work alongside these, not replace them.
Update this section with the exact details for USC’s Late Night Safe Ride programs, current Lyft zones, and hours once you have them confirmed.
Use the school-provided Lyft codes or safe-ride program instead of walking long distances alone late at night when that option is available.
Check your campus transit map and see how your normal routes line up with shuttle stops, especially for late classes or study sessions that end after dark.
Practical route tips
The map surfaces patterns, but your choices in the moment still matter. These are small habits that, combined with better route awareness, can reduce risk.
Even if a route is slightly longer, staying on well-lit, busier streets is often safer than cutting through empty alleys or isolated spaces.
Coordinate with friends, classmates, or roommates when leaving the library, campus events, or late-night study spots.
Use your phone’s built-in location sharing with people you trust, especially if you’re taking an unfamiliar path or heading home late.
Support after an incident
If you’ve experienced or witnessed an incident, safety is only one part of the story. Emotional, academic, and legal follow-up all matter.
Most campuses have counseling centers that can help process what happened and connect you with long-term support.
For incidents like harassment or assault, campus reporting offices can explain your options, rights, and possible next steps.