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Create an Alert 🔒

Step-by-step guide for residents to create and send an emergency alert to security.

Before You Create an Alert​

Alerts are for serious incidents and emergencies only:

  • You've witnessed or are currently experiencing a suspicious situation
  • There's a safety concern in your unit or the community
  • You need immediate security response

Do NOT use alerts for non-emergency complaints. Use the appropriate contact method for general issues.

Step 1: Open the Create Alert Screen​

Quick Access (Fastest)​

  1. Look for the alarm-light icon in your app header (top of screen)

    • It's a red alarm/bell icon with a lightbulb
    • Only visible to residents
    • It's in the top-right corner area

  2. Tap the alarm icon

    • The Create Alert screen opens with a red/dark background
    • You're now ready to create your alert

Alternative Access​

  1. Tap Explore (bottom navigation)
  2. Look for "Create Alert" or "New Alert" button
  3. Tap it to open the Create Alert screen

Step 2: Select One or More Motives​

The motives tell security what type of incident is occurring. You can select one or more.

Available Motives​

Tap the chips/buttons to toggle each one:

  • Robbery — Robbery involving force or threat
  • Suspicious Person — Person acting suspiciously
  • Stranger Wandering — Unfamiliar person in common areas
  • Breaking and Entering — Break-in or attempted break-in
  • Theft Attempt — Robbery or theft occurring
  • Other — Any other emergency

Selection Rules​

✅ At least one motive is required to create the alert

  • You can select as many motives as apply to your situation
  • Tap a chip to select/deselect it
  • Visual feedback shows which motives are selected

Example: If you see a stranger breaking into a car, you might select "Breaking and Entering" + "Suspicious Person"

Tap "Additional Data"​

  1. Below the motives, tap "Additional Data" or "Add Description"
  2. A bottom sheet or text field appears
  3. Enter details about what you're witnessing:
    • Where exactly is the incident? (your unit, hallway, parking lot)
    • What's happening? (more context)
    • Are there people involved? (descriptions, clothing)
    • Any weapons or dangerous items?
    • Is anyone injured?

Why Add a Description?​

  • Security responds faster with more details
  • Helps identify the problem (false alarm vs. real threat)
  • Provides context for the incident report
  • Can be critical for police if they're called
tip

Tip: Even a few words are better than none. Example: "Stranger at my door," "Car window broken in parking lot," "Loud fight in hallway"

Step 4: Create the Alert​

Tap "Create Alert" or "Send Alert"​

  1. Review your selected motives
  2. Review your description (if added)
  3. Tap the "Create Alert" button (usually red)

Confirmation Dialog​

A confirmation dialog appears asking you to confirm:

Are you sure you want to create an alert?
This will notify security immediately.

[Cancel]  [Confirm]
  • Tap Cancel if you want to change anything
  • Tap Confirm to send the alert
warning

Important: Once you confirm, security is notified immediately. This is a serious action, so make sure the situation is real and requires security response.

Step 5: Alert Sent Successfully!​

What Happens Next​

  1. Screen navigates to Alert Detail — You see your newly created alert
  2. Status shows "Active" — Red header, alert just created
  3. Security is notified immediately via push notification
  4. You stay in the alert screen so you can watch for security acknowledgment

Monitoring Your Alert​

While Alert is Active​

Your screen shows:

  • Red header with "Active" status
  • Motives you selected (displayed as chips/tags)
  • Your description (if you added one)
  • "Call 911" button in the header — tap anytime for immediate emergency services
  • Timeline section below (currently empty until security logs events)
info

You can stay in this screen and watch for security to acknowledge, or you can close the app. Either way, you'll receive push notifications when security updates the alert.

Important Notes​

✅ Do:

  • Create alerts only for genuine emergencies or serious safety concerns
  • Be specific with motives and descriptions
  • Stay in a safe location when possible
  • Contact 911 directly if life is in immediate danger
  • Have your unit number or location ready for security

❌ Don't:

  • Create false alerts or "tests" (wastes security resources)
  • Create alerts for non-emergency complaints
  • Exaggerate or add details you're unsure about
  • Close the app thinking the alert won't go through (it's already sent)

What Security Sees​

When you create an alert, security guards:

  1. Receive a push notification immediately
  2. See your name, unit, motives, and description
  3. Can tap the notification to open your alert
  4. Begin incident response (acknowledge, log events, etc.)

Next Steps​