Thursday, November 29, 2007

Strathcona Business Improvement Association Christmas Social


This past Wednesday I attended the Strathcona Business Improvement Association’s Christmas Social, which was held down on 304 Dunleavy St. inside a very nice venue named “The Chapel”. This place is a mixture of art, music and I must say has a fantastic atmosphere. (Attached is picture of myself, John VanLuven – Executive Director of the SBIA and Kevin Flynn, my Vice President of Operations and Advanced Services).

While I was only able to stay for a short period of time, I was able to meet some new people and talk about our SBIA Patrol, which is a service that patrols the Strathcona area for up to 16 hours a day throughout the year, seven days a week.

Basically this program is intended to protect property, assist the police and deter street activity within the district; but what I really like about it is the reporting functions that we have created to track all activity that our Guards encounter while on duty.

Accompanied the detailed reporting, which is managed by our HanDbase custom written program on Treo cellular phones, is an excellent mapping system that geographically plots all incidents by category for the SBIA Executive.

This program is one of the most exciting that I am involved in and I really look forward to what Genesis can do for the SBIA over the next couple of years.

Thanks to all the SBIA members who have supported our program thus far and a special thanks for inviting myself and Kevin to your special Holiday Festivities.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Record Crowds For Santa Claus Parade


Sunday has come and gone and I have to tell you that being in this year’s Rogers Santa Claus parade was one of the best times I’ve had in quite a long time.

There were an abundance of floats and participants entered this year that more than impressed the record crowd of over 300 000 people; people I might add who braved some fairly chilly weather in order to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus himself.



A big thanks to all of our Ambassadors who came out this year and assisted in greeting the crowd while handing out Carol books; which were sponsored and printed by Rogers. More importantly than this though would be the HUGE thank-you to all those responsible for breaking the donation records for the past three years, collecting over 15, 000 lbs of food and $7500 in cash!!!

It was a great honor to be a part of this parade and to close I would like to thank the Community for coming out and supporting this very fun and meaningful event.

Friday, November 23, 2007

City Tv Clip



I happened to be going through my media files the other day and noticed that I forgot to post an excellent piece on the Ambassador Program that ran on City TV last month and featured two of our very best, Kerri-Lynne and Joe.

The piece basically gives a general outline of the very diverse work that the Ambassadors engage in every day with topics such as crime prevention and tourist assistance touch on; it even mentions the fact that Kerri-Lynne has been directly responsible for recovering over 64 stolen automobiles!!!

Give this clip a watch and I think you will be impressed with the professionalism of our staff and the various services that the Ambassadors offer.

Remember that this program is administered by Genesis Security through the Downtown Business Improvement Association and also please note the Genesis logo on the uniform as this is the first time the DVBIA has allowed a security company to do this.

Great interview team.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Rogers Santa Claus Parade


I hope to see everyone out for the Rogers Santa Claus Parade this coming Sunday, the 25th of November as this year Genesis Security is participating by driving one of our vehicles, which we will of course have all “decked” out in appropriate Holiday Spirit!!!

The parade itself begins at 1:00 p.m. and I have attached the actual parade route for viewing and a link to the official website so you can collect more information.

One item on the website that I would like to mention here is that the parade will be collecting donations for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau with a special train picking up donations along the route. You may also drop-off donations on Howe St. at Robson Square and on Georgia St. at the Art Gallery.

The most needed items are:

• Canned Meats, Soups and Stews
• Canned Fish and Meat
• Pasta, Pasta Sauce and Rice
• Canned Beans, Fruits and Vegetables

Also, the best sites to watch this Holiday Event will be at the Vancouver Art Gallery, at Robson Square on Howe St. and on both sides of Georgia St. on the slope between Bute and Broughton. (The route is longer though this year and there should be quality viewing all along the route).

Remember to visit the website for more details and please bring a donation if at all possible for these very worthy organizations.

See you all there and don’t forget your Christmas Cheer!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Genesis Security Pilots New BST Program

We are very proud to have been part of a team of Security companies in British Columbia that participated in reviewing the BST (Basic Security Training) 1 and 2 program with the Justice Institute and making several recommendations for change.

Even more so, it is a great honor for all of us at Genesis to be the very first Training Academy in B.C. to offer the new pilot BST program.

As you are all aware of, there have been a lot of questions lately regarding licensing of Guards and the level of training that they receive. Travis Lupick of the Georgia Straight wrote an excellent article last month in reference to this and the possible changes that were being studied and given implementation dates.

The Justice Institute should be commended for this initiative and the tremendous amount of work that went into developing this new pilot.


A quick synopsis of the changes:

BST 1: additional legislation with regards to Human Rights, improvement to the Law portion with regards to criminal intent and better practice sessions to reinforce the material

BST 2: amendments to the tactical portion with an actual reduction in the types and more focus on fewer techniques.

While the article discusses even more changes that are being proposed, studied and awaiting enactment; the pilot program is showing all concerned parties that there is movement forward.

When I spoke to Danny Rosales, our Head Instructor, about these changes he commented that the course is now more in depth and better prepares the student to prepare for their role as a Security Guard in today’s ever-changing industry.

At Genesis we are continually trying to develop new programs and be on the cutting edge of our industry and I am very pleased that this program provides another example of exactly how we are accomplishing this.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Undercover LPO Team and Community Patrol…. What A Team!!!


I wanted to send a very quick thanks out to members of our Undercover Loss Prevention Team, which we manage through the DVBIA, who participated in a police operation last week that targeted property offenders in Vancouver.

Our guys worked strange hours on this one and were directly responsible for assisting with the apprehension of at least 10 individuals. Considering this project was only three days long, that number seems even more impressive to me.

Chief Chu seems to be impressed as well. He recently sent the pictured letter to our team congratulating them on all their hard work and the pointing out that since 2003 the LPO team has made more then 1700 arrests!!!!! (Please be advised that we had to cut the recipients name out of the letter due to the nature of their employment, however each LPO member did receive a copy).

Great work again guys, we all really appreciate your day to day efforts.

Speaking of assisting Police and getting kudos, we better mention our Community Patrol team as well.

A couple of weeks back they were getting their daily briefing at the Kerrisdale Community Police Station and received information regarding a suspect who was wanted for Break and Enter.

Upon leaving the station, they proceeded to the suspect areas and began a detailed patrol.

Working together as a team they quickly identified someone who they believed to be the suspect earlier described to them.

Verifying the identity through the Kerrisdale Community Policing Centre, the Police were then dispatched and able to take the person of interest into custody.

Another great example of why the Community Patrol works and the fantastic people who work every single day to make it happen.

Thanks guys.

Friday, November 16, 2007

Ambassador Video From Global News

Just received a phone call from a friend of mine who taped Global News last week in reference to a spot that was completed on the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association Ambassador Program and talk of a possible expansion.

As you already know, Genesis Security administers this program through the DVBIA and is responsible for providing Ambassadors 16 hours a day, 7 days a week. From the time we originally took over the program in April of this year it has already expanded once to now include South Granville, the West End BIA and the Yaletown BIA with Genesis employing over 40 people to staff all the involved positions.



Now, this particular news reel discusses the possibility of this program expanding throughout all of Vancouver and has such proponents as Kim Capri, a Vancouver City councilor and Mayor Sam Sullivan.

Items discussed in the reel include the fact that when this program first started over 7 years ago, the Ambassadors were responding to over 4000 calls a month and now it is down to just over 350; which would indicate a level of success being obtained.

All Ambassadors are fully licensed and trained in Basic Security Standard 1 and 2 and have come to help assisting in being the eyes and ears of the police.

This is a truly valuable program for the city and we will watch with interest in how this all turns out.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

The Big Whitecaps Game


I almost forgot to thank the Guards who came out last week to work the David Beckham, L.A. Galaxy vs. Vancouver Whitecaps soccer game, which resulted in 0-0 draw.

With over 125 Guards deployed for this huge event it was a great crowd and we experienced no problems at all, with the exception of one of my guys having to tackle the “streaker” (no worries Mo, we have a box of Sani-Wipes on order for your Christmas bonus).

In all seriousness, congratulations to all involved, this was a great event for Vancouver as a city and we hope to be able to work many more of these in the future.

Don’t forget as well that this Sunday is the Western Conference final for the CFL and once again Genesis will be there with over 130 Guards to assist in ensuring that everyone has a safe and secure time. Come out and support your Lions!!!!

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Vancouver Sun Article

This past Tuesday, Genesis Security was contacted by the Vancouver Sun and asked to comment on the recent rash of shootings in the Vancouver area and how it has affected our business.

Excerpts from the articles include:

“Meanwhile, Camil Dubuc, Genesis Security’s president and CEO, said in an interview that his company also sees increased business after incidents such as Huang’s killing.

“We get a few, but it’s not a great increase,” he said. “Some clients, especially people around the area (of the shooting), call for upgrades.

“But it’s incredible how business has gone up in the last 10 years,” added Dubuc, whose company has 490 employees. “Last year, we tripled (the number of clients) for our alarm division. There’s a lot of growth.”

In September, Genesis announced a 200-per-cent expansion of its free community security patrols, to cover an area with more than 63,000 homes in Vancouver’s west side.

According to the release, the service involves licensed security guards patrolling around the clock on foot, by bike and using cars equipped with global positioning systems, Internet hookups, and direct connections to Genesis’ security centre.

Dubuc rejected concerns that security firms are doing the work of public police forces and that many security guards are unlicensed.

“We’re not doing police work. We’re just assisting them, being their eyes and ears. And if there’s an assault, it’s a citizen’s right to defend that person.”

He also said their guards are all licensed.

A provincial government investigation in 2004 alleged that three-quarters of all new security guards hired by large B.C. security firms started working without a license.

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Extra Patrols Provided


Well, now that Halloween has come and gone I am very pleased to announce that our Community Patrol staff reported no major incidents. Aside from offering some friendly advice to some individuals on the safe way to use fireworks I would have to say that the night was a huge success.

As mentioned in our previous Blog post and the newsletter that we sent out to some 200 businesses, Genesis provided extra patrolling services this particular night to ensure that all of our children enjoyed themselves Trick or Treating in the safest environment possible.

I would like to thank both the regular Community Patrol employees and my Executive Team members who came out to drive during this very busy night and rest assured that during other times throughout the year when we feel that an extra presence is required we will be there for our Community.

Should any readers happen to know of any incidents that we were unaware of, please feel free to email them to admin@genesissecurity.com so that we may log them into our mapping program. This will enable us to perhaps design our routes more efficiently next Halloween and allow for an even more secure setting for all the kids!!!!!

See you next one.