A new app has rolled out for Naval Station Rota Sailors designed to improve public safety awareness and reports of any safety issues within their surrounding community.

The app, LiveSafe, is a free mobile safety resource which can be downloaded and used on any Android or iOS platform. It allows the user to report potential safety and security violations, and also offers crowd-sourced tips from other users in the event there are any dangerous or hazardous situations in a user's area.

"The safety of our Sailors and our Navy family is our top priority and this app will aid in keeping everyone safe," said Chief Logistics Specialist Eloy Acevedo, Naval Station Rota Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) specialist. "This will help keep service members and their families informed and will add another safety tool they can have in their pocket whenever they need it."

The app is currently undergoing a six-month test phase in Norfolk and onboard Naval Station Rota. If the test phase is successful, officials plan to unveil the app for Sailors around the world.

The free app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play. It requires Sailors to have an @navy.mil email address to access the Navy's functionality. It's the next generation of the Navy's push for bystander intervention as it puts a tool in the smartphone of every Sailor.

Navigating the app is fairly simple once downloaded and an account is established. The main screen has four different icons for use: Report Tips, Emergency Options, Safety Map, and Resources.

Report Tips allows the user to report suspicious activity or emergencies to local authorities. Emergency Options allows the user to call installation security, Naval Criminal Investigative Services, or off-base authorities. Safety Map will visually reflect Naval Station Rota and the surrounding communities, which will highlight locations which are "off limits." Resources provides contact information for various safety services.

According to Capt. Debra Yniguez, commander, Naval Forces Europe-Africa SAPR officer, the best way to figure out how to use the new app is to download it and walk through the features yourself.

"Our Sailors should use it in order to stay safe and help keep their shipmates and families safe, especially overseas," said Yniguez. "The safety of our Sailors is our number one priority, and by procuring this social media tool we believe we are showing our Sailors that we care about them and their safety, and we will research current technology that offers a layer of safety."

The most important feature to the user will likely be the two-way communication between the Sailor and the command. It protects your anonymity, but allows users to make by-name reports if they choose to.

For example, if Sailors see a crime or a potential security violation being committed, they can simply take out their phones and make a quick report -- and even attach images if they like. Safety issues, such as traffic lights not working properly, can also be reported and the complaint will be routed to the proper organization to take care of it.

"My favorite feature of the app is SafeWalk," said Yniguez. "It allows you to request friends to virtually walk with you if you need a little extra assurance. It will notify them of the route you are going to take, time of departure, and the time of your estimated arrival."

The app is currently in use by millions of people in 19 countries and at more than 100 U.S. colleges and universities, according to LiveSafe's CEO. In addition, many corporations, hospitals, malls, and professional sports teams are using the application to keep their venues safe during large events.

The idea of the app grew from the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting. Kristina Anderson, a survivor of the shootings, saw it as a way to possibly prevent incidents through information sharing.

Naval Station Rota enables and supports operations of U.S. and allied forces and provides quality services in support of the fleet, fighter, and family for Commander, Navy Installations Command in Navy Region Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA).

Just as a ship performs lines of operation which provide a capability, Navy Region EURAFSWA bases perform the same eight lines of operation to provide capability to the fleet and joint and allied forces. These eight lines of operation are air operations, port operations, safety, security, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR), Fleet and Family Services, and what is called the core -- the fuels, water, and power which keep bases running. Through the lines of operation, EURAFSWA installations are force multipliers which maximize the combat capability of operational units.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil/, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy/, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy/.

For more news from Naval Station Rota, Spain, visit http://www.navy.mil/.