SINOUT
Mela Lukovic
SINOUT is an application that serves as an alternative approach to creating safety and security for all of us. From this day on, you do not need to rely on already established and well known safety measures across the globe. SINOUT’s concept emerges from the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory in which he argued that when security needs (categorized as lower-order needs) are not met, an individual may develop feeling of harm or threat, feel anxious and tense, become less satisfied with life, and may not strongly desire higher level needs (Maslow et al. 21). Therefore, the project addresses the second level of Maslow’s hierarchy needs ‘safety and security’ and attempt to establish a beneficial relationships in Vancouver’s community. Now, imagine sending trained, caring professionals to help during a mental-health crisis, homelessness, school discipline, and other non-criminal activities. This is where SINOUT project comes in. It will involve compassionate professionals, instead of police, and address noncriminal activities with an emphasize on de-escalation techniques and severe limitations on the use of force. Sinout represents crisis response unit that focuses on three areas of security such as physical, cyber and mental (psychological) and responds to requests for help. It is made of individuals who are able to provide security services and clients who will choose their own security options. This means that same individuals are free to decide where and who can make them feel safe. There is an option of delayed help and immediate help. With delayed help, the client can hire an individual for specific security assistance, tailored to his or her request. For immediate help, an emergency response team will be dispatched. Furthermore, this system will be based on an interconnected structure made of individuals across Canada that can provide feedback on how and what security system must be incorporated in SINOUT’s design. Therefore, this will be the space of interaction between clients and safety and security guards, where mutual feedback, suggestions, security rating systems, etc can provide input into how safety and security measures can be improved. Additionally, starting from a community and expanding to a city, province and country, the number of SINOUT users will be greater which will contribute to a faster response time in emergency situations. Thus, this security ecosystem will be made of players whose experience, knowledge and expertise will contribute to this system efficiency. Also, this project’s structure can be changed, redefined and reframed if there is a need to address other areas of safety and security. This does not mean that other types of workers will not be added to this platform that is flexible to further adjustments. In case of SINOUT, safety and security becomes redefined through the context of accessible digital platforms.
Maslow, A. H., et al. “A Clinically Derived Test for Measuring Psychological Security-Insecurity.” The Journal of General Psychology, vol. 33, no. 1, July 1945, pp. 21–41, 10.1080/00221309.1945.10544493. Accessed 16 Nov. 2020.
Dial 911 for help is not your only option anymore.
Police are not trained to address issues surrounding mental illness,
homelessness, domestic arguments, growling dogs, neighbours
playing very loud music, and various non-criminal activities on top
of actual law violations from speeding to murder. Access to SINOUT
service will allow you to make a decision on what kind of help or
assistance is required at any given moment.
SINOUT gives you a choice to ‘up your guard’.
You can decide on what kind of safety and security measures you require when experiencing mental distress or you are in need of physical or cyber protection.
SINOUT offers emergency call service.
Team of a nurse, social worker and security guard acts as an emergency response team. They are ready to assist non-registered and registered SINOUT users when ‘emergency call’ is activated.
SINOUT serves as a platform for 8 security or safety branches.
When in need of a security assistance, SINOUT can help with residential and commercial security. Further, it provides access to bodyguards, security guards, and cyber security. It also contributes to events supervision, while medical nurse and social workers function within mental (psychological) help.
SINOUT is a two sided marketplace.
It connects potential clients with security workers and allows for these two sides to connect, communicate and transact.
SINOUT ensures security through submission of valid government documents and certificates.
Security workers must upload, through SINOUT platform, primary ID, Police Record Check, Security License, and De-Escalation Certificate. While potential clients, in need of security assistance, must upload primary ID, and Police Record Check.
SINOUT reflects community needs.
SINOUT demonstrates the work of Design Justice approach where marginalized communities’ voices have been identified through secondary research, while explicitly challenging existing structural inequalities in the context of safety and security.
SINOUT: User Flow
This user flow displays the complete path a user needs to take when using SINOUT app, from their entry point towards a successful outcome and final action, and that is safety and security assistance provided by SINOUT workers.
If you wish to learn more about SINOUT app and understand the research process behind it please click here.
