(Photo via LiveSafe app)

LiveSafe allows students to contact ASU police 24 hours a day.

As Arizona State University students get ready to start class Thursday, school officials are urging them to stay safe. An important step could be downloading an app.

The app called LiveSafe allows students to contact ASU police 24 hours a day. Students can also set up a safe ride with the school’s many campuses or get a friend to “virtually” walk them home by digitally monitoring your journey.

Rudy Bellavia is managing director for ASU’s office of business and finance. He said when the app came out last fall, it took a while to catch on.

"But as people started seeing the benefit of being around campus, being able to take pictures, send in tips anonymously, it really became sort of a way they can connect with the police department," said Bellavia. "They can get an immediate response."

And it caught on.

Bellavia said the app now has about 3,400 active users, and the school has pushed all students to download it.

So far, ASU police have received more than 150 tips through the app.