Monday, December 31, 2007


I would like to wish all of our clients, employees, faithful blog readers and everyone else a Happy New Year as well as thank them for what turned out to be our most prosperous year to date.

Should you be out and about tonight participating in the celebrations, you will see Genesis personnel performing all their regular duties such as our Community Patrol and the Ambassador Program while also supervising several high profile New Years Events throughout the city of Vancouver.

This past year has been tremendous for us in reference to growth, Community involvement and stamina with several notable achievements topping off our year;

• Winning the Consumers Choice Award for 2007 as being the best Security Guard Service provider in the province of British Columbia.
• Expansion of our free Community Patrol so that it now covers from Granville
St. across to UBC and from Downtown to 70th Ave.
• Celebrating our 10 year anniversary as the premiere Security Service provider
for the province,as our Consumer Award shows.
• Moving our offices from the Plaza of Nations to a new, larger state of the art facility to better serve our clients needs.
• Recent approval by City Council approving the DVBIA Downtown Ambassador expansion, which is a project that Genesis Security co-manages with the DVBIA.

I could go on for quite a bit in reference to all the achievements that our company has accomplished but I think it will suffice to summarize the remaining ones by personally thanking all of my team members and clients who assisted us in realizing these goals of which I am very proud of.


For 2008 one of our primary objectives will be to once again expand our free Community Patrol as I believe that this is a truly valuable service and a way for our company to give back to a city that has given so much to us as a provider of Security Services.

I wish you and your loved ones all the best for 2008………….

Monday, December 24, 2007

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!!!!


It's hard to believe that the year is almost over -- and the holidays are with us once again. This is a great time of year, when there's excitement everywhere and the Spirit of Giving is only outweighed by our desire to be with family and friends.

Thank you very much for working with Genesis Security this year. We have enjoyed the time immensely and truly appreciate all the clients that make our days more exciting and more interesting. We wish you and your family the very best for the holiday season and a year of health, happiness and prosperity.

Our entire organization joins in sending SEASON'S GREETINGS with every good wish for the New Year!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanzaa.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Genesis Parkade Security Video



The above video came to my attention today from one of the many Strata's that we manage security for and I was so impressed by its content that I felt it should just go up right away as a warning to other buildings that maintain secure parkades.

In this video you will clearly see a vehicle enter into the secure parkade and continue to drive forward before the gate fully closes. The consequence of this one very small inaction results in what you will view to be an unidentified individual stop the gate before it fully closes and enter into the parkade area. This particular parkade area is in a very exclusive setting and in my opinion a lot of damage could have been done by the perpetrator.

Fortunately, our Guard was conducting his patrols and encountered the individual seen in the tape approximately 7 seconds after this video ends. When confronted by the Genesis Guard, he stated that he was looking for recyclables and that the gate was open (yet on the video he is clearly shown reaching under and stopping it from fully closing).

I cannot stress how important it is to bring your vehicle to a complete stop once you have entered a secure parkade and ensure that the gate is fully closed before carrying on with parking.

When our Guard spoke to the driver of the vehicle, they stated that this was the very first time that they have ever NOT stopped before the gate fully closed, yet that is all it takes; just one time.

You should also be aware as well that the same individual in the tape who entered the parkade on foot also tried the same trick the day before with a water bottle, but thankfully due to the weight of the gate the bottle was crushed.

Be safe everyone and make sure you take the small amount of time that is necessary to ensure that no uninvited "guests" obtain access to your building.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Official CelticFest Sponsor 2008


Genesis Security has once again agreed to donate Guard time, equipment and supplies to this year’s Annual Edgewater Casino CelticFest, which is to be held from March 12th to March 16th 2008 and is now celebrating its 5th year.

This festival is an urban celebration of Celtic culture and this coming year is offering more than 50 events at dozens of popular venues and three outdoor stages in Downtown Vancouver. Some of the finest international, national and local Celtic performing artists will be on hand and there will be music workshops and a weekend street party in the Celtic Village.


Look for the Genesis Security float during this year’s annual parade, which will begin at 11:00 am., on March the 16th (I have attached a pic of the parade route).

All of us are very excited to be part of this great Festival once again and we hope to see everyone out there celebrating with us.

Tickets for the Festival’s special events and concerts will go on sale early February 2008.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Genesis Wins 2007 Consumers Choice Award



All the hard work and planning this past year paid off when we found out back in October that Genesis Security had been voted the best Security Guard Company in the province of British Columbia by the Consumers Choice Institute of Canada.

The actual awards ceremony were held last night at the Westin Bayshore in downtown Vancouver and were hosted by Global TV personalities and to be televised this February on Global.

Considered a ‘Seal of Excellence’ within the community and beyond, this prestigious honor signifies our on-going commitment to quality, service and value.

Unique to North America, the Consumers Choice Award is an initiative of Consumers’ Choice Institute (Canada). All winners are determined by consumers, not a panel of judges or professional food critics. Consumers and local businesses are surveyed by an independent company, and are asked to vote for an establishment that they feel represents the ultimate in “…excellence, based on the elements of quality, service, value and appearance.”

Genesis is greatly humbled and honored to be a part of this recognition and thanks the Premier of B.C. and the Prime Minister of Canada for extending their congratulations as detailed below:

Hon. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada,
“In business, there is no greater compliment than earning the trust and loyalty of your clients and the respect and admiration of your peers. I congratulate everyone receiving the prestigious Consumers’ Choice Award…for their achievements in business excellence and customer service.”

Hon. Gordon Campbell Premier of British Columbia

These awards are particularly well regarded and meaningful because those who know best, the people who purchase these products and services, choose the winners. I congratulate this year's winners for all they have done to bring out the best in themselves and their businesses. It is their hard work, dedication and innovation that provide us with the many exceptional products and services available to us all."


As pictured in this article I attended the event with my two Vice Presidents, Kevin Flynn and Chris Taibinger and our Director of Community Services, David Sukic who accompanied myself on stage to accept this award.

Thank-you to all of the great people who voted for Genesis Security and I promise you that we will continue to set the benchmark in Customer Care for our industry and make the best effort possible for a repeat next year and the year after……….

Friday, December 07, 2007

Vehicle Security




Over the past couple of weeks our Mobile Patrol drivers have begun to report a rash of vehicle break-ins along the Robson corridor. These break-in’s have occurred right on the street as well as in underground parkades with the preferred entry method being that of simply smashing out the window of the vehicle.

Please remember, especially this time of year, to secure any and all valuables in the trunk of your car if you have to leave it unattended.

In one of the cases our Mobile arrived on scene seconds after one of the break-in’s had occurred and the Police were able to arrest an individual, however no valuables were recovered and the owner of the vehicle still has to worry about replacing the window.

Have fun this year with your Christmas shopping and remember to be safe!!!

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Holiday Safety Tips


This past week, myself and the office staff witnessed a fire that was clearly visible from our 3rd floor view on Burrard St. I have not seen very many fires to start with, but to me this particular one had the appearance of being massive in size, consuming the entire top floor of the apartment building that it originated in. Fortunately the Fire Department arrived within seconds and I don’t know how, but they managed to control this fire in what seemed to be seconds. It was very impressive work on their part and everyone was amazed that saw them in action.

Looking at the photograph of the fire that one of my guys took and thinking about the Holiday Season, I thought that it might just be an appropriate time to go over some practical common sense rules regarding Christmas safety and security.

I found these tips on an excellent website that is sponsored by Health Canada.

Toys and gifts
• Choose toys that are appropriate to the child's age. Be sure to read and follow all warnings and instructions that come with the toy.
• Toys with small loose parts can be dangerous for children under three years of age. Keep them out of reach.
• Make sure batteries in toys are properly installed and not accessible to the child. Do not let children take battery-operated toys to bed.
• Dispose of all packing materials such as Styrofoam pellets, ties, plastic bags and wrapping as soon as possible. Children can choke or suffocate on them.
• Before using a cosmetic gift for the first time, rub a small amount on the back of your hand and leave it for a couple of hours. Redness or swelling may indicate that you have an allergy to the product and should not use it.
• Put cosmetic products away after opening them. Some cosmetics are toxic to young children.
• For fire safety, when buying sleepwear for children, be sure to choose items made of nylon, polyester, or snug-fitting cotton or cotton blend fabrics.

Candles
• Never leave burning candles unattended.
• Keep burning candles out of the reach of children and away from pets, tree decorations or
wrapping paper.
• Cut candle wicks short to prevent a high flame.
• If candles are used in a centerpiece, make sure they don't burn low enough to ignite the
decorations.
• Use sturdy candle holders that won't easily tip over.

Holiday trees
• When buying a real tree, check that it is fresh (needles are hard to pull off). Water the tree daily. Trees can consume up to four litres of water a day. Store the tree in a cool, sheltered area until it is brought indoors for decorating. If it will be several days before it is brought indoors, store it outdoors or on a cool porch or patio. Protect the tree from wind and sun to help it retain its moisture. • Make sure the tree is well-secured in a sturdy stand.
• Place the tree away from high traffic areas, doorways, heating vents, radiators, stoves, fireplaces and burning candles.
• Keep metal tree ornaments and decorations away from young children. Metal decorations may contain lead that can be harmful to young children if they put them in their mouths.
• If young children are around, avoid decorations that are sharp, breakable or have small removable parts, or put those decorations at the top of the tree.
• Remove the tree right after the holidays or as soon as the needles start to fall. Dispose of it according to local regulations. Many municipalities have tree-recycling programs.

Holiday lights
• When decorating your home, only use lights that have been certified by a recognized organization - CSA, ULC or cUL.
• Make sure you use indoor lights inside your home and outdoor lights outside.
• Check all light bulbs before you put them up and replace broken or burned-out bulbs with those recommended by the manufacturer.
• Check the light strings and extension cords you use, discarding any that are frayed or have exposed wires, loose connections or broken light sockets. Never run electrical cords through doorways or under carpets.
• Do not overload electrical outlets. Use more than one outlet if the wattage of your lights is more than the outlet can handle.
• Keep bubbling lights away from children. They contain a hazardous chemical which can cause irritation or chemical burns if the bulb breaks and the chemical is released.
• Turn off all holiday lights before you go to bed or leave your home.
• Fireplaces and wood stoves
• Always use a secure screen in front of your fireplace.
• Have the chimney cleaned at least once a year.
• Burn hardwood which will leave less creosote in the chimney.
• If using firelogs, follow the manufacturer's instructions. Use only one log at a time.
• Make sure the fire is out before going to bed or before going out.
• Ensure that the chimney is drawing well so that wood smoke does not come into the room.
• Keep children away from gas fireplaces. When in use, the glass doors can become hot enough to cause serious burns.

General household safety
• If young children are going to be visiting over the holidays, make sure your house is safe for them by covering electrical outlets, barring stairwells and removing furniture and decorations that may be hazardous to children.
• Keep all cosmetics such as perfume, aftershave and nail polish remover, as well as all medications and household chemical products, out of the sight and reach of children and away from heat sources.
• Keep all lighters and matches out of the reach and sight of children.
• Decorations and candles that look or smell like food or candy should be kept out of children's reach. They may be attractive to a child, but may be poisonous or cause choking.
• Maintain smoke detectors in good working order.

Everybody stay safe and enjoy the upcoming Holiday Season!!!

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Spice Girls Security

Picture supplied courtesy of canoe.ca

Now that the show is over and all the Spice Girls have departed via YVR for Los Angeles, I think it is now safe to announce that we were very pleased and honoured to have provided plain-clothes security for them at the Four Seasons Hotel while they stayed in Vancouver.

Running with an 18 person crew, our tasking was to maintain security on each floor of the Hotel throughout their four day stay with a finale of providing a 5 man detail for their YVR departure on Monday morning. I think we should give acknowledgement to the Airport on this one as well due to the fact that they allowed us to escort each girl right to the plane with no problems or delays whatsoever; save the papparazi!!!!! Just kidding guys, we actually found them to be very professional as well.

It was a pleasure working with Celebrity Protection Limited on this job, which is a U.K. based company that works all over the world and boasts a resume that includes such stars as Brad Pitt, Emma Thompson and George Michael. Lonny and Paul from CPL were fantastic to work with and they are true professionals when it comes to the business of Tour Security and Close Protection.

The Four Seasons security team were as well very professional and experienced, making our job so much easier with all the great assistance they provided.

In any case, we here the show was a great success which was enjoyed by all who attended and we wish the girls the very best with the remainder of their World Tour.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

New Mascots Unveiled!!!


I just received an email from one of our clients thanking two of our Guards, Ken and Linda, who were part of the Genesis team that assisted at the Bell Performing Arts Centre during the official 2010 mascot unveiling.

The two Guards, pictured above top left corner, who received kudos from the BPAC are great performers with the company and I want them to know that I appreciate all the hard work they do every day.

This was a great event to work and all my staff commented on the very professional and well-organized setting at the BPAC.

Great work team!!!!!