In today’s fast-paced world, the responsibilities that come with managing a commercial property are substantial. One of the most critical challenges that property managers face is being fully prepared for on-site emergencies. At Wincon Security, we understand the importance of having a well-structured emergency preparedness plan in place to ensure the safety of occupants and the preservation of the property. Drawing from our extensive experience with property managers and security services, we have developed a comprehensive guide outlining the key steps to create an effective emergency preparedness plan for your commercial property.
Step 1: Be Prepared to Respond Swiftly
When an emergency strikes, time is of the essence. At Wincon Security, we emphasize the significance of proactive preparation. Implement communication technology that instantly alerts you, first responders, and tenants when an emergency occurs. Keep an updated list of emergency contacts, ensuring quick access to critical services. Your maintenance team should be well-versed in shutting off water, gas, and electricity to prevent further damage. Designate on-site employees to assist tenants with special needs during evacuations. Regularly conduct emergency response drills to ensure your team’s readiness and keep them informed about any procedural changes.
Step 2: Map Out Evacuation Routes Clearly
During emergencies, having clearly marked evacuation routes can make a life-saving difference. Our experts at Wincon Security recommend prominently displaying evacuation maps on each floor, near exits, stairwells, and elevators. These maps should include safety information on avoiding elevators during fires and properly closing doors. Detailed directional information should be placed in hallways to guide occupants effectively. By providing easily accessible information, you can contribute significantly to a successful evacuation.
Step 3: Maintain Crucial Safety Systems
Property managers bear the responsibility of maintaining all building safety systems to ensure they remain in optimal condition and compliant with codes. At Wincon Security, we advocate for routine checks and adjustments by your maintenance teams, supplemented by professional input when necessary. Regularly inspect fire extinguishers, fire sprinklers, emergency lighting, and smoke alarms to guarantee functionality. Perform annual inspections by industry-certified technicians to uphold safety standards. Keep emergency exits unobstructed and update evacuation maps promptly to reflect any layout changes.
Step 4: Keep Tenants Informed and Engaged
While safeguarding the property is essential, prioritizing tenant safety is paramount. At Wincon Security, we recommend fostering open communication with tenants to ensure their well-being. Supply tenants with a comprehensive list of emergency numbers, including your contact details. Include an emergency preparedness packet in tenant move-in materials and update it annually. For multifamily buildings allowing pets, consider distributing Ontario SPCA emergency preparedness decals for windows and doors. In the event of property alterations or changes in emergency procedures, promptly inform tenants to enable effective evacuation.
Step 5: Establish a Reliable Recovery Partnership
Effective emergency planning extends beyond the immediate crisis to post-damage recovery. If you aren’t already collaborating with a disaster restoration company, now is the time to do so. Wincon Security advises partnering with a reputable contractor with 24/7 availability and positive online reviews. Leverage recommendations from other property managers and your insurance carrier to select a full-service, IICRC-certified restoration contractor. Following a personal interview with potential candidates, add the chosen contractor’s contact information to your emergency list.
Trust in Our Expertise
Here at Wincon Security, we recognize the gravity of emergency preparedness for commercial properties. Our commitment to excellence in property management and security services drives us to share our insights for developing robust emergency plans. Drawing from our extensive experience, we encourage property managers to forge strong relationships with emergency responders and seek expert guidance when crafting or enhancing emergency plans. We aim to empower property managers in their pursuit of creating safer and more secure environments for all occupants.
In conclusion, the responsibility of property managers extends far beyond routine tasks. It encompasses the safety and well-being of all occupants, making a well-crafted emergency preparedness plan an absolute necessity. By following our comprehensive guide, property managers can proactively respond to emergencies, safeguard occupants, and minimize property damage. At Wincon Security, we are dedicated to assisting property managers in their journey towards creating secure and resilient commercial properties.
Qualifications That Set Markham Security Guards Apart
Rigorous training programs
Benefits of Pursuing a Career as a Markham Security Guard
Career Prospects for Wincon Security Guards
Becoming a Security Guard
Career Advancement
Conclusion
Introduction
In today’s rapidly changing world, ensuring the safety and security of individuals and properties has become an utmost priority. As a result, the demand for well-trained security professionals has soared, with many seeking rewarding careers in this field.
Markham, a vibrant city in Ontario, Canada, presents excellent opportunities for individuals interested in becoming security guards. This article uncovers the secrets behind the rewarding job of Markham security guards, shedding light on the qualifications, benefits, and career prospects they can expect.
For 30 years, Wincon Security has been serving Markham with unmatched professionalism and the highest quality and well-training security guards.
Qualifications That Set Wincon Security Guards Apart
Rigorous Training Programs: Wincon Security guards undergo comprehensive training programs that equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their roles. From learning crowd management techniques to mastering emergency response procedures, these programs ensure that security guards are well-prepared to handle various situations effectively.
Licensing and Certification: To work as a security guard in Markham, individuals must obtain a valid security guard license issued by the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. This licensing process involves background checks, completion of a certified training course, and passing a written examination. These stringent requirements ensure that only qualified individuals are entrusted with the responsibility of protecting others.
Benefits of Pursuing a Career as a Markham Security Guard
Competitive Compensation: Markham security guards enjoy competitive compensation packages that recognize their skills and contributions. In addition to a base salary, they often receive benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid vacation time. This combination of financial stability and comprehensive benefits enhances their overall job satisfaction.
Diverse Work Environments: Markham offers a diverse range of employment opportunities for security guards. From residential complexes and commercial properties to educational institutions and entertainment venues, security guards have the chance to work in various settings. This diversity not only keeps the job exciting but also provides valuable exposure to different security challenges.
Career Growth and Advancement: The security industry at Wincon Security provides ample opportunities for career growth and advancement. Dedicated security guards can progress to supervisory or managerial roles, overseeing teams and implementing security strategies. Additionally, with further training and specialization, they can explore specialized areas such as executive protection or cybersecurity, opening up new avenues for professional development.
Moreover, a career as a security guard in Markham offers numerous rewards and opportunities for individuals seeking a fulfilling profession. The rigorous training programs, licensing requirements, competitive compensation, diverse work environments, and prospects for career growth make it an attractive choice.
Increasing Demand: With the rise in population and economic growth, the demand for security guards in Markham is expected to continue growing. Businesses, organizations, and individuals recognize the importance of maintaining a secure environment, leading to a steady increase in job opportunities for qualified security professionals.
Job Security: In an ever-changing job market, security-related roles remain stable. The need for security guards transcends economic fluctuations, making it a resilient career choice. As long as there are assets to protect and people to safeguard, the services of security guards will be indispensable.
As the demand for security professionals continues to rise, Wincon security guards find themselves in a dynamic field with job security and the chance to contribute to the safety and well-being of their community. So, if you are passionate about maintaining security, working in security in Markham offers a promising pathway towards a rewarding and fulfilling career as a security guard.
Markham, with its bustling urban landscape and thriving industries, presents a wealth of opportunities for individuals looking to make a difference in the field of security. The city’s diverse range of establishments, from residential complexes to bustling shopping centers and corporate headquarters, creates a dynamic environment that constantly challenges and engages security guards.
Becoming a Security Guard
The journey to becoming a security guard begins with rigorous training programs designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their roles. These programs cover a wide array of essential areas, including conflict resolution, emergency response protocols, and effective communication techniques. By undergoing this comprehensive training, security guards are prepared to handle any situation that may arise while on duty.
One of the standout features of pursuing a career as a Markham security guard is the sense of fulfillment that comes from knowing you are actively contributing to the safety and well-being of others. Whether it’s protecting residential properties from potential intruders or ensuring the smooth flow of visitors at a crowded event, security guards play a vital role in maintaining a secure environment.
Moreover, the versatility of a career as a security guard in Markham is truly remarkable. From high-profile corporate events to community festivals, security guards have the opportunity to work in diverse settings, each presenting its unique challenges and rewards. This variety not only keeps the job exciting and fresh but also allows security guards to develop a wide range of skills and adaptability.
As security guards gain experience and prove their capabilities, there are ample opportunities for career growth and advancement within the field. Many security professionals in Markham go on to assume supervisory or managerial positions, overseeing teams and implementing comprehensive security strategies. Others choose to specialize in areas such as executive protection or cybersecurity, diving deeper into their field of interest and expanding their professional horizons.
The future looks promising for individuals considering a career as a Wincon Security guard. With the city’s ongoing growth and development, the demand for qualified security professionals is expected to increase steadily. Businesses, organizations, and individuals recognize the importance of investing in security measures to protect their assets and maintain a safe environment. This translates into a continuous stream of job opportunities and job security.
In conclusion, a career as a security guard in Markham offers a rewarding and fulfilling path for individuals passionate about ensuring the safety and security of others. Through rigorous training programs, competitive compensation packages, diverse work environments, and opportunities for career growth, security guards at Wincon Security can unlock a bright future in a field that is both challenging and rewarding. So, if you’re ready to take on the secrets of this rewarding job, Markham is the place to be.
Security, Surveillance, and the Latest Tech to Safeguard your stores couple advanced hardware with computer ‘AI’ to unleash the latest in retail security
It’s been a tough couple of years in retail. Inflation continues and product & labour shortages make the future look tough. This blog lays out how the retail security system industry and particularly Wincon have risen to the challenge. This is new. Today we are harnessing the benefits of advanced innovative security hardware coupled with enhanced ‘AI’ to vastly exceed the capabilities of traditional, human-based, retail monitoring systems.
How? The latest 360-degree cameras use IR, motion sensing capabilities and networks sensors to detect people and map their presence in your retail store. The data (processed in real-time by the AI) lets you know not only where people are, but what they are doing and what their behavior indicates about their intentions. Simply browsers – or would be thieves?
Here are three exciting new technologies we recommend that will help your retail store fight crime:
Enhance your retail security systems with the new Axis M30 panoramic cameras, available through Wincon Security.
1. 3-D Cameras
See everywhere – and halt crimes in progress.
Panoramic security cameras – often referred to as 360° cameras – bring enormous viewing angles and smart technology, allowing you to track people, control your store and be proactive towards theft prevention.
When attached to a ceiling, these cameras can produce 360° images by blending separate sensors together into one unified image. Some advanced cameras empower retail owners with useful functions like people counting or heat mapping to show the flow of foot traffic within a store.
Great options to consider for 3-D cameras are the Axis M30 and M42 Dome Camera Series
These smart cameras give you constant 360 surveillance and outstanding detail, along with the ability to zoom in with a single click. Image capabilities range from up to 4 MP to 12 MP! Cameras equipped with OptimizedIR (Infrared) Illumination provide exceptional clarity and sharpness even in pitch darkness!
2. Intelligent Audio Speaker Systems
Hear and be heard for better safety and store operations
Speakers in stores too have been reimagined for today’s challenging retail environment.
Next generation, IP Speakers now allow for intelligent two-way communication, seamlessly integrating with other security systems (like 3-D cameras) to provide an integrated approach to traffic flow and theft prevention.
AXIS C1410 Mini speaker for retail security systems.
Look for two-way IP speakers with built-in microphones to allow ambient listening and talk-back functionality. You can use these for paging announcements to keep everyone informed – and to notify staff of an emergency situation, a customer service need. Speakers like the AXIS C1410 Network Mini Speaker with PIR sensor for motion detection can detect when a shopper is lingering too long in one place and subtly signal a potential situation to staff with a programmed message. The application of this tech is much more than just – “spill in aisle 4”. This can mean calling security to an area where the audio and video equipment has detected suspicious activity in an unmanned area of the store. In short, it allows you to identify theft before it happens –it may be as simple as someone standing beside a specific product too long and calling a staff member to intercede.
Anything you need – from activities triggering warning messages, or live instructions if an intruder has made an incursion. This audio technology can also be used to manage crowded areas and direct people away from potential risks.
Integrated with panoramic cameras, these ceiling audio systems Provide you with total control and awareness. Your retail managers will have eyes and ears on all areas of your facility, in a dynamic, real-time manner. Wincon will recommend a system designed around your specific needs Get more details…
3. Access Control Systems – the key to a more secure premises
Curb unauthorized entries in a touchless environment.
Better control of who gains access to your store –and where they go once they get inside — is now possible with the latest, leading-edge Access Control Systems. These systems are an integral part of any good retail security system strategy today. Also, upgrading your system has never been easier with today’s wireless technology. New cloud-based, touchless entry and retail store security systems provide superior defense, and can dramatically reduce in-store crime, while being easy to manage and use.
The latest versions are keyless entry solutions that give you total control of physical access to only authorized users. You can easily customize these systems to fit your store’s unique needs and protocols and scale up for larger facilities. They integrate seamlessly with other systems such as alarms and cameras.
When fully implemented, you can expect extraordinary control and heightened security in these areas:
Entrances & Exits – This is where it starts. Control who enters and leaves with integrated visitor access systems connected with both live and automated audio.
Sales Floor – In retail, this is the battlefield. Sensors plus AI identify aggressive behavior and send alerts to security. The speed with which threats are identified and neutralized make a huge difference between success and failure. Vandalism and shoplifting can be significantly reduced through quick detection of loitering.
Cash Areas – Access is granted only to authorized individuals in your organization
Parking areas – All-weather, vandal-proof, day/night cameras provide reliable protection, round-the-clock for both your customers and your staff. By creating a safe and fully protected environment you can gain trust and better retain both customers and valuable employees.
Storage and Loading Areas – “Out-of-sight, out-of-mind” will be a thing of the past in your loading area: access cards, QR codes, tailgating detection, license plate recognition and high-quality video recording of the loading area all mean complete security you can rely on. You can focus on selling, not guarding your receivables.
Dynamic, cloud-based security solutions are here to stay.
Wincon has been at the forefront of retail security system response for 30-plus years. As a trusted member of your team, Wincon manages your security so you can focus on managing your business.
Our network security solutions today (including cameras, audio, and access control systems) support your business operations in a dynamic and real time manner. From managing store occupancy, queue lengths, or spotting suspicious behaviour – you’ll be able to stay on top of your locations like never before.
Ultimately this means fewer losses – and more profitability through the delivery of a better customer experience.
Welcome to an age where you can no longer afford to rely on outdated passive store security. Dynamic, responsive and real time technology solutions – along with well-trained guards — will arm you for retail success – when it comes to both crime prevention, loss reduction — and optimal store operations.
Winston Stewart, CEO & Founder
For more than 30 years, Wincon Security has delivered property monitoring and protective services to retail, commercial, industrial and condominium clients across the Greater Toronto Area.You can rest assured all our security guards are fully trained, carefully vetted, and ready to be deployed to keep your assets and people protected in the post-COVID world.
How to best guard your factories, goods and systems from the latest risks
As a manufacturer, your job is to keep the wheels in motion for global businesses and consumers alike. Whether you assemble the cars we drive, the clothes we wear, or the food we eat, the world relies on your machinery and skilled workforce to keep us fed, clothed, housed and in motion.
What if a security breach disrupted your vital manufacturing processes? What would be the cost implications for your facility? How might a manufacturing plant security incident effect your entire supply chain — and the consumers and businesses who rely on it?
To be effective, you need a modern manufacturing plant security strategy suited to the times we live in. The threats are changing, along with the technology, physical environments and the more agile, flexible and secure way we need to operate. In October 2021, global executives in a McKinsey survey singled out supply chain turmoil as the greatest threat to growth for both their companies and their countries’ economies – greater than the pandemic, labour shortages, geopolitical instability, war and domestic conflict.
Cyber security – just one major threat to the industry
Perhaps most seriously, the supply chain crisis has led to another problem: cyber security breaches. A 2022 IBM Security report details how in 2021 ransomware criminals attempted to “fracture” the backbone of global supply chains with attacks specifically on manufacturing plants. In fact, manufacturing became 2021’s most attacked industry (23%), overtaking the usual targets: financial services and insurance. An alarming 47% of attacks on manufacturing were caused due to vulnerabilities, and gaps in the system that had not been addressed – and could not be patched in time! According to a 2022 Deloitte survey of manufacturing sector executives, Eighty-two percent expect their organizations will invest more in cybersecurity in 2022, with nearly one quarter budgeting at least 10% more than in 2021.
But what about physical security – the threats to your equipment, warehouses, machinery – and workforce? How has that changed? Is physical security still as important?
Acts of violence and injuries have become the third-leading cause of fatal occupational injuries in the US, according to OSHA. Closer to home in Ontario, we are seeing an increase in workplace injuries and fatalities, particularly in the manufacturing sector.
One of the problems is this: many industrial facilities across North America still lack the strong physical security programs required today.
It’s not just about adding layers to your physical security. Manufacturers today need to take an integrated and modern approach to risk mitigation – and invest in a manufacturing security strategy custom fit for their specific facility.
So how can you best keep your production lines humming – and sleep better at night?
Here are three ways to bolster your manufacturing plant security
1. Access control – through authorization, identification, and cards.
Access control should be central to any manufacturing security plant security strategy in the post COVID world. With it, you can ensure no one has access to restricted areas and machinery, except authorized and fully vetted personnel.
In the old days, simple gates, barriers, and guards sufficed. Today, however, a vast range of technology-driven solutions exist that will ensure you more robust and reliable security technology suited to the needs of modern manufacturing facilities.
These technologies use one or more of the following approaches to ensure only authorized users get access:
Authorization: through individual passwords, PINs, or special codes
Identification: through mobile phones, phone numbers, hardware keys or identity card
Recognition: through advanced systems and the latest Biometrics: think fingerprints, voice recognition and iris scans!
Access cards: a good place to start.
Access cards themselves can be the easiest solution, especially for larger facilities where only certain people require access to certain rooms. These cards can even be coded to restrict access to these areas to certain times, dates, or hours, to ensure no nighttime visits transpire and to prevent entry at unapproved or unpatrolled hours of the day or night.
Access control is effective in curbing unwarranted entry and undocumented use of your facility. But it also serves to protect your people. By ensuring that only fully trained and authorized employees get access to machinery and industrial zones, you are taking an important step to avoid on-site accidents, injuries, and damages – even plant emergencies– all commonly caused by human error.
2. Surveillance – CCTV security cameras for manufacturing plants
It’s no longer enough to have either cameras or guards. You must have both. And when it comes to CCTV units, the technology, usage, and monitoring requirements have changed.
The right surveillance strategy — combining physical guards on site and CCTV units — is vital to ensure the physical security of the plant and its premises. The trend today is not to use CCTV cameras to replace guards, but rather to extend their reach and empower them to do their job in a more effective way.
Certainly, modern CCTV technology has increased the scale of video surveillance improving the quality of monitoring and incident handling. Round-the-clock live remote monitoring brings benefits beyond crime and accident prevention. They can be used to monitor operational efficiencies, track the arrival and dispatch of products, and even watch inventory levels.
But when it comes to risk mitigation CCTVs are a must have. With fewer personnel on site, cameras installed in low traffic areas can help keep you stay alert to undocumented ingresses and egresses, mechanical failures – and even critical accidents and injuries that might occur in isolated places. Monitored video cameras can watch the entire property simultaneously. It can also monitor areas where it’s not safe for people to go like on the roof and in certain areas of the building because of the machinery.
Plant owners and security executives are seeing the light – and rushing to adopt the latest CCTVs in droves. It’s a trend underscored by recent statistics: the global video surveillance market is estimated to increase by about $30 billion by 2025.
There is no question that when it comes to manufacturing plant security, the latest automated CCTV cameras integrated with your alarm system and the right security personnel, are your best bet to mitigate risk during these changing times.
3. Security guards – vigilant, tech savvy, and specially trained for manufacturing facilities
Despite the rise of complex technologies, systems, and a move away from the human element, the right guards are an essential component of any modern manufacturing plant security strategy.
Security guards for manufacturing plants need to be specially trained and equipped. They will need to possess a requisite level of knowledge and skills in:
Your manufacturing plant rules and protocols
Your mechanical processes and machinery, respond expertly in the event of an accident
The complex layout of your facility, including your warehousing and industrial zones
The latest technology including CCTV, access cards and other technology driven systems protect your facility
Guards you can trust:
Today, it is more critical than ever to only work with reputable security firms that provide only well-trained, and carefully screened security personnel. This is especially the case in light of some crimes being committed from the inside – by guards not fully vetted and background checked.
By trusting in a reputable security guard firm, you rest easy that the guards on duty will never be the ones committing crimes. You will also be more equipped with the right crew trained to spot any internal or external transgression and take steps to stop criminals in their path.
A good place to start: conduct a manufacturing security risk assessment.
The first big step to beefing up your security is getting a holistic, detailed risk assessment. An in-depth survey of your facility’s vulnerabilities will inform what types of security you need to invest in and how to implement your security strategy.
Integrated solutions manufacturing security — for today and tomorrow
Today, manufacturing facilities face a variety of threats, from workplace accidents to factory security breaches and supply chain disruption. The ultimate solution lies in an integrated approach – CCTVs, guards, access controls and new protocols all working together to secure your physical premises and people, no matter what.
Winston Stewart, CEO & Founder
For more than 30 years, Wincon Security has delivered property monitoring and protective services to retail, commercial, industrial and condominium clients across the Greater Toronto Area.You can rest assured all our security guards are fully trained, carefully vetted, and ready to be deployed to keep your assets and people protected in the post-COVID world.
‘Tis the season for spending time with family and friends and the inevitable yuletide spree of shopping and gift-giving. Suburban malls and high-street stores are jammed in the lead-up to the holidays, as Torontonians make a final festive retail push before taking a breather and preparing for Boxing Week bargain bonanzas.
Unfortunately, this is also the time of year when busy retailers must contend with wide-scale theft. Statistics show that Canadian businesses lose more than $3 billion annually to crime, including both internal (e.g., employee) and external shoplifting that eats into profits and compromises retailers’ competitiveness. Rather than tackling the problem head-on, a new Toronto Police Service pilot project is moving in a very different direction.
Toronto Police Service introduces Stop Theft
First-time shoplifters caught pilfering items within the boundaries of the city’s 51 and 52 divisions will no longer be prosecuted under the six-month Stop Theft program, an initiative that will permit private security and theft-prevention guards to effectively catch and release shoplifters after documenting their personal details, then providing them to officers at one of the two divisions participating in the program. The Toronto Police Service’s aim is to free police resources to deal with higher-priority calls.
Non-violent shoplifters who are 18 years of age or older with identification and who are accused of stealing merchandise totalling less than $1,000 are eligible for release. Police will still attend the scene if requested and reserve the right to lay charges by summons in the future, depending on the circumstances.
“It is estimated that retailers lose more than $8 million a day to store theft. What is more worrisome, however, is that today’s thieves are becoming increasingly sophisticated, therefore posing an even greater risk to the health and safety of the Canadian public.”
“What we’ve been trying to do through the modernization process is make sure that our police officers are where the public needs them the most,” Meaghan Gray, acting director of corporate communications for the Toronto Police Service, told the Toronto Star. “And maybe responding to … shoplifting calls — that can be held just as efficiently by a theft prevention officer partnered with us over the phone — allows us to reassign those officers to more pressing calls for service.”
While the efforts of police to more effectively utilize their officers’ time are laudable, the bigger challenge for retailers can be summed up in a statement last year from Diane J. Brisebois, President, and CEO of the Retail Council of Canada:
Removing a theft deterrent
Indeed, the major challenge with the Stop Theft program is that it assumes that shoplifting is limited to individuals such as thrill-seeking teens and those with mental health issues. The reality is that organized crime groups are behind much of the bottom-line killing losses plaguing retailers at all levels. Products such as razor blades and baby formula—the latter used to mask drug trafficking, or sold for a hefty profit on the black market—are two products that have long been a prime retail target for organized crime, making retail loss prevention services more worthwhile.
Retail loss prevention services are more needed now than ever.
A program such as this removes the most important deterrent to shoplifting—immediate arrest and the threat of significant prosecution. It will be an especially major problem in less-prosperous areas already dealing with high rates of both minor and major crimes.
Retailers will need to continue to invest more in loss-prevention tactics, including the use of civil demand recovery letters, which allow them to sue alleged shoplifters in civil court to recoup the cost of a stolen or damaged item, not to mention costs relating to security patrol and enforcement. It’s safe to assume that overwhelmed police won’t have the time to follow up with an accused shoplifter after an incident, even if the person has a criminal record.
Why? Cash-strapped, budget-conscious police services simply lack the time and money to continue to pursue low-level crimes as they once did. The unfortunate reality is that retailers will pay the price and will need to pursue punitive litigation in an effort to deter would-be thieves—itself a potentially costly process.
Programs such as Stop Theft are designed to modernize the response to some crimes, but in doing so they tend to sow chaos and return us to a time when low-level crime was rampant. Now, unfortunately, shopkeepers need to be more vigilant than ever, treating every customer as a potential shoplifter, which is always bad for business.
Toronto police introduce new security alarm response rules
Toronto police announced a major change to their burglar alarm response policy. Specifically, they made it clear that they would no longer respond to alarms unless there was verified proof that some form of criminal activity or a threat to an individual was occurring at the time of the notification.
Up to that point, police would always send a car to any commercial or residential property where an alarm was sounded. Better to be safe than sorry, the thinking went. According to their revised guidelines, police will now only respond to an alarm if a threat can be verified by an audio or video device, there are multiple zone activations in effect—which are typical in the case of a break-and-enter with multiple burglars at the crime scene—or they have an eyewitness on the scene calling in the incident. This could include a private security guard.
Toronto police will still attend verifiable alarm calls
Why the change? Police data from 2016 show that 97 percent of security system-related calls were false alarms. “When a panic alarm button is hit, we will absolutely attend,” a police spokesperson told media “Also, if we get evidence there has been a burglary, we will also attend that call too.” Really? It’s reassuring to know that the police will attend actual crimes. Needless to say, this new policy raises several red flags to those of us in the security field. The most obvious being that some break-ins could foreseeably go unchecked because authorities deem them to be false alarms, or because their slow response allows criminals to come and go without the risk of apprehension.
The challenge for commercial property owners is that investigating issues such as potential break-ins or vandalism often takes a back seat to other, more serious crimes.
To help prevent those false alarms, police are advising homeowners and commercial property managers to update key holder information, ensure regular alarm system maintenance, change alarm batteries frequently, keep alarms free of dust and debris and educate residents, tenants, and employees on the system operation protocols.
While the policy change is understandable—having police respond to a plethora of false alarms is, of course, costly and inefficient use of resources—it discounts the possibility that actual crimes may be in progress, with verification coming only when it’s too late. Criminals, being a clever lot, will undoubtedly use these new rules to their advantage if they know the police aren’t going to respond when a standalone alarm is sounded.
Robust security is more important than ever
Most importantly, this underscores the need to maintain 24/7 protection for commercial or residential properties. That means having an active security presence and state-of-the-art monitoring systems—or, at the very least, one of those two crucial components—in place to build out a comprehensive security strategy to protect your assets. With these new rules governing what, exactly, justifies a live police response, investing inadequate security is no longer an option for commercial property or residential property owners, and that includes condominium boards.
As such, most organizations will need to re-evaluate their current alarm systems. Is it enough, or do they now need new cameras? Do those cameras need to be monitored by a security service in order to verify alarm issues? Manufacturers, integrators, monitoring centres, and the end-users need to answer these questions or risk being left behind by these new requirements.
Expect traditional police duties to be increasingly outsourced
Another notable aspect of development is that it highlights an emerging trend across North America: the outsourcing of police duties to private security providers. An important line in the Toronto Police Service’s policy change was the one noting that eyewitness verification of a security breach would warrant an on-site visit from the police. The fact that the eyewitness could be a security guard means that police understand—and perhaps even welcome—the involvement of private security firms.
We can expect to see an even greater willingness on the part of the authorities to accept third-party security help in the years ahead as police budgets are slashed or frozen, and resources are redirected to priority areas. The challenge for commercial property owners is that investigating issues such as potential break-ins or vandalism—although obviously well within the mandate of local police services—often takes a back seat to the prevention or investigation of violent crimes or other, more serious offences.
Choosing the right security provider is key
Now, it’s important to remember that not only does your organization need security help to keep its assets and people safe, but it also needs to partner with the right security provider, one that takes an integrated approach and provides effective training to its staff. The trend of downloading security duties to private companies shines a spotlight on the processes and procedures that security firms develop and follow. How well trained are their staff? What are their employee retention rates? Is their HR department fronted by a proverbial revolving door as people come and go looking for a job rather than a career? The maturity and sophistication of firms across our industry is now under greater scrutiny than ever before.
So, too, are service providers’ embrace of technology. Everything from drones to patrol robots to leading-edge software and video camera systems are the kind of tools that will become increasingly important in the years ahead. Criminals are always getting smarter. They will find ways to circumvent even the most advanced electronics. Is your security provider equipped to keep pace?
In one sense the Toronto Police Service’s alarm response policy change has a silver lining. Over time, a greater reliance on reliable private security providers will help push out the fringe players from our industry whose inadequate services put clients at greater risk. Because when the police won’t respond without knowing that a crime is in progress, there’s simply too much at stake to put your commercial or residential property and assets in the hands of an unprofessional security firm.
Is your business interested in retail loss prevention services?
Fill out our quote form and enjoy a consultation with us to learn about your retail security options.
A condominium construction project is challenging at the best of times. Managing the complexity of large-scale capital repairs or upgrades, and accounting for the sheer number of logistical considerations to eventually arrive at a successful outcome, can tax even the most experienced condominium manager. During the coronavirus pandemic, those already daunting obstacles have become far more difficult to clear—and underscores the important role that a condominium’s security team can play throughout a construction project.
Damage related to water, fire or mould, or even long-term concrete and other forms of building deterioration, are just some of the many factors that can compel a condo restoration initiative in the first place. Remediating these issues is always expensive. They often arise unexpectedly and create an immediate sense of urgency—noise, dust and dirt, amenity closures and other disruptions including building access limitations can quickly heighten tensions while the project is underway. Careful planning can help mitigate those and many other issues that can compromise residents’ lifestyle experience and enjoyment.
Take the time to think about your property’s long-term security requirements.
The current complication, of course, is that the constant flow of tradespeople onto and off of a property can create COVID-19 exposure risks that must be minimized in order to protect an entire condominium community. The question is, how? Here are several ways that condominium property managers can utilize their security personnel to make a property restoration as comfortable and efficient as possible for all parties involved:
Take a team approach
The first step is understanding that it takes a team to manage a construction project during a pandemic. Your general restoration contractor and their various trades and sub-trades will comprise the bulk of that group, but it’s essential to also include your security firm in the process. They’ll be on the frontlines managing, monitoring, and ensuring that only authorized individuals can access the property—but also working with residents to address their concerns. In other words, they’re not simply construction site security guards, they’re your frontline community managers. If an unforeseen situation relating to the restoration suddenly emerges—a trade accidentally cuts a gas or water line, for example—they’ll likely be the first ones on the scene and alert first responders and/or the construction contractor. If a resident complains about noise or has questions about how the job is progressing, they’ll likely be the first ones asked to listen or pass along information on the condominium manager’s behalf.
Our construction site security guards protect you while assisting your residents.
Remember that this isn’t merely a building, it’s home to scores of people. Providing outstanding customer service is an expectation at any time, but aconstruction project is an opportunity to demonstrate that as a condominium manager, you take clients’ happiness to heart. Security staff can be instrumental in driving that message home and reinforcing it through their day-to-day interaction with residents.
Leverage your security guards’ diverse skills
Security personnel are the bridge between the parties affected by theconstruction (e.g., residents) and those involved in its rollout (e.g., the trades). Your construction site security guards should have a full list of all tradespeople involved in the project from start to finish, if only to be able to verify their identity as needed. They should have a full schedule of work slated for various stages of the project. They should also be present when briefings are delivered to the condominium board. While their job is to ensure the safety and security of the property and the people occupying it, it’s also to help foster the right atmosphere and understand how the project is progressing—particularly important in luxury condos where a premium is placed on the resident experience.
As part of that process—and beyond having a general awareness of the project implementation plan—security guards will need to conduct regular contact tracing in case an outbreak occurs. Having that information at the ready and being able to deliver it to public health officials and both your management team and the condominium board could mean the difference between containing COVID-19’s spread across a community, or seeing it rage out of control and impacting both resident health and theconstruction project’s successful completion.
Security personnel are the bridge between the parties affected by the construction and those involved in the rollout.
Give them what they need
It’s essential that construction site security guards have the necessary tools to do their job and community liaison experts during a condominium restoration. That means providing them with adequate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure their safety. It’s the best way to keep your security team healthy and on the job. PPE should be kept in a central location and made available to staff at the start of every shift.
It’s also important that they have access to efficient and effective contact tracing software that’s both user-friendly and robust enough to collect and manage the information of hundreds (maybe even thousands) of residents. Having a way to handle the reams of data they’ll be acquiring will help manage or prevent COVID-19 outbreaks if they occur while managing the inflow and outflow of tradespeople and reducing the risk of potential security breaches.
Think a step ahead
No matter the reason for your restoration project—and even though we’re in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic—take the time to think about your property’s long-term security requirements. If the restoration is particularly extensive, such as in the case of a major flood or fire damage, you may find an opportunity to implement new security technology infrastructure (think biometrics or ultra-HD surveillance cameras), or perhaps even designing security-friendly spaces to accept the flood of food deliveries and e-commerce packages currently inundating so many condo lobbies. That volume is only poised to grow in the years ahead as more of us shop and dine online. Work with your security provider to not only manage your community and provide the best resident experience possible throughout the restoration but to also look ahead and develop a comprehensive strategy that protects your property’s security requirements five to 10 years into the future.
In the end, proactive thinking will save money and position your condominium as an even more desirable place to live.
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Nearly a year ago, our world changed. Few of us knew much, if anything, about the COVID-19 virus that would soon transform our social interactions, our economy and our lives. But we soon got a crash course in epidemiology and terms such as ‘social distancing’ as the federal and provincial governments acted quickly to lockdown our communities and introduce sweeping health and safety measures. Through it all, Wincon Security guards and supervisors were on the coronavirus pandemic frontlines.
Our employees responded with professionalism, hard work and a dedication to excellence that was beyond exceptional—it was a true embodiment of our focus on providing the very best customer service experience our industry has to offer. To a person, our team exemplified our ‘Built on Service. Driven by Culture’s company mantra. My gratitude goes out to all of our employees for their ongoing support and efforts to continue improving our client experience. But in the midst of a tumultuous year, the work of two of our staff truly stood out.
I’m pleased to introduce our 2020 employees of the year: Supervisor Darrell Chen and security guard Robert Bruce.
You may notice a change from previous years when we acknowledged only one employee. This year we decided that it was important to ensure that a member of our leadership team also got the nod for their outstanding work.
In Darrell’s case, his management of a seven-person security team throughout the pandemic at GE’s Markham facility was nothing short of remarkable. Not that we’d expect anything different. Over his four-year career with Wincon, Darrell’s communication skills, leadership and problem-solving abilities have set the standard for others to follow. COVID may have put Darrell to the test, but he stepped up and responded to every challenge.
“Over the past year, we had to find different ways to provide safety and security,” he says. “We had to train additional guards, work with the EHS and occupational safety committees at GE, reinforce masking policies and work to develop methods to efficiently screen employees and delivery people every day. Our team is always great at communication and has a positive attitude, so by being proactive and planning for different workplace situations, we were able to make a tough situation as seamless as possible for our client.”
By keeping up the spirits of his team and showing appreciation for their work, Darrell reminded us all that it’s possible to turn a challenging situation into one for growth and development.
Our 2020 Guard of the Year Robert Bruce showed the same willingness to step up and adapt, but in a very different setting over the past year. As a guard at some of Etobicoke’s larger condominium towers, Robert had a front-row seat as the move to remote work took centre stage during the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown. Suddenly, thousands of residents were working—and both caring for and teaching their children—from home. Access to everything from building amenities to the neighbourhood grocery store was instantly restricted.
Even as tensions ran high, Robert met residents with his trademark smile and pleasant demeanour and was able to make their day a little bit brighter simply by doing his job well. Efficiency was key.
“At a certain point we had to start screening people for COVID-19 when they entered the building, but due to the volume of residents coming in and out—not to mention parcel or food delivery people and visitors—we needed to process people as quickly as we could,” Robert recalls. “Adjusting to that was a challenge.”
That meant going to extraordinary lengths such as conducting temperature checks and even calling residents to pick up food deliveries in the lobby as part of the condo’s coronavirus protocols. Through it, all, Robert’s ability to anticipate both the condo property manager and residents’ needs, and to address potential issues before they arose, proved the difference.
On behalf of the entire leadership team here at Wincon, I’d like to congratulate Darrell and Robert for this achievement and thank them for their exemplary work. And while I’ve said it before, it’s worth reiterating that our entire team has gone above and beyond throughout the COVID-19 crisis. If I had to choose a word to sum up my feelings about our performance as a company, it would be: proud.
Proud that we’ve confronted one of the most difficult challenges of our generation and managed to succeed. Proud that we’ve actually improved our service offering in the face of some very big obstacles. And proud that our clients and industry partners were able to rely on us to meet their needs, no matter the circumstances.
As we progress further into 2021, I only have one more thing to add: Let’s keep up the great work together!
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The proliferation of condominium properties across the Greater Toronto Area in the past 20 years is truly staggering. Hundreds of thousands of units have been added to Toronto’s housing supply since the 1960s when legislation allowed for this new form of homeownership and communally-minded approach to building upkeep.
Of course, the task of keeping the towering, often expansive communities in the sky operating in good condition is the responsibility of condominium property managers. These unsung heroes are responsible for everything from managing maintenance-related issues—think elevator repairs and snow plowing—to hiring the security firms that guard a property around the clock. But as Armand Conant, the former president of the Canadian Condominium Institute explains in a recent blog for the Remi Network, an acute shortage of trained and qualified condo property managers is raising concerns for many in the residential property industry:
Ontario has more than 11,700 condominium corporations. While a good number are self-managed – most are managed by professional management.
That said, there are currently about 2,500 licensed managers, 1,500 of which are General Licensees, and an estimated 300 of these are in upper management and do not manage specific buildings. This then means that there are only about 1,200 General licenses for thousands of existing corporations. And with more condos coming on stream at a fast pace – the talent crunch is only intensifying
As Conant notes, the Condominium Management Services Act, which took effect in late 2017, requires condominium property managers and condo security companies to be licensed. That involves taking four mandatory courses and obtaining two years of experience before being designated as a ‘general licensee.’ Managers must also pay an annual fee to maintain their licenses. The legislation has introduced stricter guidelines and qualification requirements before an individual can take on this important—and often highly complex—role.
He suggests several tactics to ease the shortage, including educating unit owners and the condo industry/condo security companies at large as to the crucial role that managers play in “protecting the building, enhancing the market value of units, and in helping in improving the condominium community.” He also suggests working to boost and maintain higher managerial compensation rates and focusing on recruitment to attract more young people to the industry as retirement rates surge.
Of course, we also can’t forget that experienced property managers with the right expertise are a vital resource in helping to guide a condominium’s board of directors—who are typically resident volunteers with no experience in this area—on best practices to reduce legal liability.
When he mentions ‘protecting the building,’ Conant touches on another key point that many overlooks. Condo property managers and condo security companies are responsible for a building’s security as mentioned above, and it’s in that area that ample experience is crucial. As a starting point, hiring an experienced individual who can juggle the many requirements of effective property management is an essential component for ensuring the safety of a property and its residents. Security personnel are typically the first line of defence in managing everything from emergencies to maintenance issues, so being able to liaise with—and deploy—guards in an effective way is important to delivering an optimal security outcome.
Condo security companies like Wincon will keep your building and tenants safe.
This acute property manager shortage highlights another potential vulnerability in the property-management process: effective security firm recruitment.
Property managers with the right experience and expertise will have the know-how to carefully recruit, vet, and select experienced security companies with the right skill set to best protect their property and assets. That’s especially important when a condo or rental building’s population requires security staff with the right touch to provide effective customer service—think buildings that cater to seniors, as one example.
It’s even more essential when we consider that not all security firms are created equal. While many will have staff with experience patrolling low-rise properties, for instance, they may not have professionals with the expertise to manage the needs of one of Toronto’s many new ultra-high-rise condos. As we’ve noted in previous blogs, these soaring communities in the sky come with a unique set of challenges, from emergency evacuation procedures to far more complex maintenance and customer-relations requirements. The concierge service component across these properties is often as important as traditional guard services, particularly in buildings that cater to well-heeled, discerning residents. Choosing the right condo security company can have a direct impact on livability and even occupancy rates. The same holds true for commercial properties, where effective management can make or break a property owner’s reputation and a portfolio’s bottom-line performance.
Lastly, increased turnover in the property manager ranks—a common occurrence when professionals are in short supply and both stress and demand prompt individuals to frequently change employers—will only further complicate matters for residents and property owners going forward.
That’s why it’s important to take the property manager shortage seriously and take immediate steps to address the issue. Doing so will deliver long-term benefits across the commercial and residential property industry, ensuring the safety of buildings and residents alike.
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Are we living in the most secure era ever? That depends on your definition of the word and the context, but there’s no doubt that today’s unique security surveillance technology has made many of our public and private spaces far safer than in the past. From ultra HD cameras with facial recognition technology to ultra-secure biometrics, the tools that organizations have at their disposal to prevent or respond to unwelcome or emergency incidents are truly unprecedented. So much so that privacy concerns are now running up against security innovations, fueling legal and social tensions along the way.
Case in point: there is a fast-growing movement across Canada to limit the use of some advanced tools, specifically unique security surveillance cameras equipped with facial recognition software. Last month the Canadian Civil Liberties Association issued a call for a moratorium on the use of facial recognition technology in a wide range of settings. While stakeholders from law enforcement officials to business and commercial property owners would make an argument for the tech’s utility, social advocates counter that the privacy trade-off is far too great at this point. Better to stall a widespread rollout until a proper legal and regulatory framework can be built to control its use.
That comes on the heels of a new Ernst and Young report indicating that COVID-19 seems to have changed Canadians’ expectations of data privacy. Fully 63 percent of survey respondents said knowing how their data was collected and stored was of prime importance, along with control over what data is being shared (57 percent), their trust in the organization sharing their data (51 percent), and knowing how their data is managed, shared and used (45 percent).
“The pandemic has ushered in significant changes that may have altered consumers’ attitudes towards data privacy, but they are unwavering about the importance of security.”
Ernst & Young
Security vs. privacy
In residential settings, those expectations are reaching new heights. Rental tenants and condominium owners alike are growing increasingly concerned that their movements are being monitored on a daily basis. In some cases, they are. Unique security surveillance systems have long kept track of the movement of people and packages across residential environments, but new technology has delivered exponential enhancements in monitoring capabilities. In the vast majority of cases, however, their deployment is intended strictly to deter crime or inappropriate behaviour. The reality is that most commercial and residential property management firms–who are dealing with a raft of new challenges related to COVID-19–lack the staff (let alone the desire) to leverage that data in ways that would be of any reasonable concern to residents.
It’s simply available as a tool to review traffic flow in case of an incident or to piece together timelines in the event of an accident. Reviewing an incident using surveillance footage is usually a key tool in preventing a similar occurrence from happening in the future. The real question that residential stakeholders need to answer is whether privacy trumps protection in residential settings.
With license-plate recognizing cameras collecting data in parking lots and garages, and biometrics recording even more sensitive information every time residents enter a building, do new technologies cross an ethical—and even legal—line? Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, some residential communities in Canada have gone as far as to implement contact tracing and temperature monitoring (sometimes using high-tech cameras) to protect their residents and mitigate the risk of an outbreak on their premises.
The urgent circumstances of the emergency aside, will we eventually regard these health and safety measures as a step too far?
Balancing privacy and protection
The obvious solution involves implementing an effective security strategy that balances the right to privacy with the need for protection. That means customizing tactics to suit the needs of the residential community in question, be it housed in an ultra-tall downtown tower or a densely packed rental building. Property managers are best advised to develop a series of privacy protocols that outline how personal data will be collected, stored, managed, and eventually expunged. Access to that data must be tightly controlled. And that not only means limiting the personnel who can review it but determining how it will be stored (e.g., on a local server or in the cloud). What cybersecurity tools will be used to mitigate the risk of a breach?
The best way to ease residents’ concerns over how their data is used is to build trust and remain transparent. By communicating on a regular basis—in some cases perhaps even developing a committee comprised of management and residents that’s tasked with setting guidelines to handle that data—reviewing and revising policies as needed and then erasing that data at predetermined intervals, most residents will be comfortable with having their personal details collected and stored.
Work with your security provider or a specialized data-management consultant to start and manage this process. Handling sensitive data is best left to the experts. Rest assured, your residents will appreciate the time and attention to detail in managing their personal information.
How is your building managing security technology?
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Walk into most of Toronto’s new mid-tier or luxury condos and you’ll almost certainly be greeted at the security desk by the smile of a friendly concierge, who’s likely to offer a ‘hello,’ and ask who you’re visiting if you’re a non-resident.
There are times, however, when their attention is diverted and not focused on who’s entering and exiting the building. Sometimes a concierge is tied up with other matters, such as managing package deliveries or discussing property-management concerns with residents. Sometimes a focus on service comes at the cost of maintaining adequate and active monitoring of the building’s security.
At a time when hundreds of new condominiums have sprung up across the Greater Toronto Area with no signs of a slowdown in new development, effective security and concierge services are a must-have for any well-managed building. In many cases, 24-hour coverage is one of many tried-and-true sales propositions in a builder’s marketing toolkit—a veritable purchase prerequisite, if you will. Concierges are the face of the building, tend to emergencies relating to matters such as building maintenance issues and provide security coverage. They’re now considered a standard building amenity.
Indeed, home buyers have come to expect round-the-clock protection for their condos, not to mention hotel-style concierge services to assist time-pressed residents with everything from package deliveries to greeting guests.
To satisfy tenants and keep them safe, it makes sense to set aside the right budget and have more than one guard at the front desk to provide the level of service that today’s condo owners expect.
Complex security needs
As one of the GTA’s leading providers of condominium security services, we deliver protection to some of the largest complexes in the area. During our client onboarding process, we assess a condo property’s security vulnerabilities and needs, then make recommendations for security coverage based on our evaluation. It’s a detailed, multi-step process that’s designed to provide condo property management firms and residents with the protection they need.
The way condos are being built today, with larger towers, more suites and several buildings that share one common area, it becomes increasingly difficult for one security guard to look after what are essentially large, vertical communities. Having buildings that have upwards of 300 to 400 suites each, also means that security personnel are required to respond to significant numbers of calls directly to residential suites. This leaves the main access points unprotected for extended periods.
That sometimes leads to the recognition that multiple security guards need to be simultaneously deployed at a property to help maintain the delicate balance between meeting the building’s security needs and catering to residents’ service expectations. Why? Because cutting corners on security inevitably results in gaps and shortcomings, particularly in luxury condos where residents tend to place a greater emphasis on the role of a security guard as concierge than property defender.
Condominium concierge services and security bring the best experience and safety to your Toronto condo.
Understaffed security desks
What we’re finding, however, is that some security providers will offer the lowest price point possible to secure a contract with a minimal staffing commitment—typically, only a single security guard at a time, when two may be necessary. In some cases that lone guard will become overwhelmed with the concierge-related demands on his or her time. Security considerations can easily fall by the wayside.
Of course, property managers and residents don’t need to choose between security and service when hiring a security firm. But they do need to allocate the appropriate budget to ensure ample coverage in both areas. For large buildings with more than 250 residents, it’s reasonable to budget enough to pay for two guards on duty at all times. They might alternate between managing tenant requests and keeping an eye on security cameras or patrolling the property, switching back and forth as necessary. The crucial aspect of balancing service and security is to ensure that your security team isn’t overwhelmed and has the time to adequately address both needs.
Failing to provide adequate security staffing can also result in major safety shortcomings in the event of an emergency such as a fire. Properly-trained guards will be able to operate building fire panels and help in executing emergency evacuation procedures. Having those resources on hand can not only help save lives but will help mitigate the threat of legal liability in the wake of a catastrophic event.
The key point to remember is that balancing security and service in a condo is difficult at the best of times, and nearly impossible when understaffed. To satisfy tenants and keep them safe, it makes sense to set aside the right budget and have more than one guard at the front desk to provide the level of service that today’s condo owners expect.
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