While Canada remains one of the safest countries to travel to and call home, major Canadian cities have experienced an increase in crime rates in 2023. According to the Vancouver Police Department, Vancouver saw an 8.1% increase in total crimes between October 2022 and October 2023. Toronto, meanwhile, saw a 20.7% increase in crime between September 2022 and 2023.
Crime trends are likely to continue upward in 2024, reaffirming the importance of investing in a comprehensive security strategy. Whether you own a retail business, construction site, hotel, or warehouse, it’s more vital now than ever to take proactive steps to ensure the safety of your staff, customers, and property. In this blog, we’ll discuss ways you can optimize your security strategy in the new year.
1. Conduct a Security Audit
Identify weaknesses and blind spots in your current security measures by conducting a thorough security audit. Examine your past routine security reports and incident reports to identify areas for improvement and make adjustments accordingly. For example, if your security reporting reveals that certain doors or locks were found unsecured, additional security protocol training for staff should be provided.
By pinpointing areas that require improvement and addressing vulnerabilities, you can strategically fortify your overall security strategy with evidence.
2. Upgrade Your Security Reporting
Ensure your security guards are equipped with the latest technology to enhance their reporting capabilities. Security personnel should leverage technology to provide reporting insights, streamline communication, and improve incident reporting. As mentioned above, detailed reporting helps business owners identify strategic opportunities for improvement and security development.
Blackbird Security guards use TrackTik, an industry-leading security reporting software, to augment their patrol reports and incident reports. By uploading photos and write-ups directly to TrackTik, our clients and our control center team gain a live view of security in the field. TrackTik is accessible to our clients through a convenient portal, giving them as much oversight as they desire.
3. Access Control
Limit who has access to secure areas and maintain an updated register of who has keys to various areas. Regularly review and revise this register to reflect any personnel changes.
A building’s architecture including its doors, gates, and walls serve to proactively protect a site or building and act as its first line of defence. Ensure access points are secured with locks, monitored with CCTV cameras, and covered by stationary or patrol guards if needed.
4. Invest In The Right Security Solutions
Regularly reassessing your security solutions should be a core part of your business’s security strategy. Analyze whether your security options are serving your business and see if there are any blind spots.
Is your parking area secure? Could your retail business benefit from undercover loss prevention officers to cut down on shrinkage? Would your construction site benefit from mobile security during off hours? These kinds of questions will help guide your security strategy when considering security solutions.
Here’s a breakdown of security services offered by Blackbird Security and how they can benefit your business.
Mobile security: Security guards patrol sites in highly visible security vehicles on a randomized schedule, deterring potential criminals. Mobile security guards are responsible for tasks including checking access point security, performing perimeter sweeps, and locking or unlocking doors. In the event of an emergency where an immediate security response is needed, mobile security guards will respond within minutes.
Mobile security patrols can be scheduled as often as needed, allowing for a high degree of flexibility and customization. If reporting reveals a specific time when security issues tend to occur, mobile security guards can be scheduled.
Loss prevention security: Uniformed or undercover guards patrol retail businesses, watching for suspicious behaviour and thefts in progress. Loss prevention security is key in minimizing thefts and securing assets, and can perform loss prevention audits which will help inform your security strategy.
Parking enforcement security: Security guards patrol parking areas, regulating compliance, enforcing rules, and managing spaces to ensure efficient traffic flow, public safety, and fair access to parking resources. During winter months, parking enforcement security is useful in reducing vagrant presence.
Uniformed security: Providing visible deterrence and professional protection, uniformed security personnel ensure safety, conduct patrols, and offer assistance while contributing to a positive and secure environment.
Optimize Your Security Strategy With Canada’s Number One Security Provider
By closely reviewing your business’s security strategy, you can proactively support the security of your business.
Blackbird Security provides services in the following areas:
- Retail Security
- Mobile Patrol Security
- Construction Security
- Uniformed Security
- Elite Suit & Tie Security
- Executive Protection
- Office & Facilities Security
- Government Security
- Event Security
- Shopping Mall Security
- Front Gate Security
- Factory Security
- Shipyard Security
- Transportation Security
- Overnight Security
- Logistic Security
- Neighbourhood Patrol Security
- Warehouse Security
- Hotel Security
Ready to invest in the protection of your business? Contact us at the form below!
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