David (left) and Chris Sinkinson helped develop a mobile app that gives Queen's students access to many of the university's safety resources.

Chris (Artsci’02, MBA’11) and David (Artsci’11, MBA’13) Sinkinson come from what one would call a Queen’s family. Originally from Kingston, their decision to attend Queen’s had little to do with staying in their hometown, and everything to do with the university itself. Their brother Mike (Comm’04) is also a Queen’s grad.

Chris and David were the driving force behind SeQure, the Queen’s Student Safety App, which launched last year. The app features everything from a campus blue light map and emergency contact numbers to a personal safety toolbox that includes a flashlight and an alarm.

“It’s cool to think that this app could help people be safer on campus,” says Chris, who developed the software for the app.

David, last year’s AMS municipal affairs commissioner, first brought the idea for the app to the Campus Safety Working Group; it was unanimously endorsed.

It’s not the first time the brothers have united to create a mobile app on campus. They’ve also developed unique apps for the Campus Bookstore and the Queen’s Journal.

SeQure allows Queen’s students to access many of the university’s safety resources with the push of a button. More than 1,200 people have downloaded the app thus far, and the Sinkinsons hope more people will follow suit.

“The app is a great asset for any student at Queen’s,” says David. “So many students have mobile devices these days, so we really felt that this was the best way to reach the greatest number of people.”

The brothers are hoping other colleges and university campuses will see the value of SeQure and adapt the format to fit their own individual needs. In the meantime, they’re happy members of their extended Queen’s family have a tool that helps them be a little safer on campus.

“The true test will be if someone’s in an emergency situation and the app helps them,” says David. “That’s why we’re taking it so seriously.”