2. Ensure your property/building is well illuminated, particularly around entrance and exit points, with the main entrance being the most important. Lights that turn on when activated by movement are great deterrents to would-be thieves. Periodically check to make sure all the lights around your property are functioning correctly.

3. Surveillance cameras should be setup to protect your property. It is wise to install several cameras to ensure the most coverage.  Good locations for cameras include all entrances and exits, places where money is stored, and employee rooms. If you sell merchandise, it is a good idea to place cameras where this merchandise is stored.

4. Consider having a dedicated on-site security guard. When it comes to theft control there is no better solution than a well-trained, alert security guard. In addition to loss prevention, your employees should feel safe walking to and from their vehicles. We can provide a staff escort where staff work after dark and leave a secure perimeter to get to a parking lot, or parkade. Contact us today to learn more about our business security solutions.

5. Mobile Patrol is used at properties where a full time security guard could not be stationed due to cost associated with the stationary guard service. These mobile security guards can provide services such as periodic foot inspections, drive by patrol, alarm response, staff escorts, and more.

For information on Unicorn Security’s Mobile Patrol services, please get in touch with us.

The post 5 Security Tips to Keep Your Business Secure appeared first on Unicorn Security.

So you finally made the plunge and purchased your dream home. Your home is your sanctuary. If your home is under protected this may compromise how safe you feel in your home. Here are a few things you should know to protect your investment, your possessions, and most importantly, your family.

1. Get all your locks changed

The first thing to do is have all the locks that allow for outside entry to be changed. There is no telling who the previous homeowner gave keys to, so it is essential that you have this done as soon as possible, preferably before you move your belongings into the house.

2. Secure any sliding doors or windows

Most sliding windows and doors tend to have locks that can easily be popped by experienced thieves. Install security rods in your sliding entrances can make gaining access to your home much more difficult.

3. Don’t give thieves a place to hide

Lights that turn on when activated by movement are great deterrents to would be thieves. Periodically check to make sure all the lights around your house are functioning correctly.

4. If you must hide a key outside, make sure it’s hidden

Under a doormat or in the mailbox are not good hiding spots for your house key. Try hiding your keys in more unique places that only your family would know of. If you have a pin-code protected garage, keep your key somewhere in your garage.

5. Keep your vacation plans private

If you are going on vacation or if you are going to be away from home for any significant duration, tell only your close family or friends. Also inform them not to tell anybody else. Posting about your plans on facebook or twitter should also be avoided.

6. Get to know your neighbours

Try to become friends with your neighbours. If they seem like trustworthy people, they are a great way to protect your home when you are away. They will know to report and suspicious activity around your home.

7. Consider installing a home security system

Nine out of ten thieves say they would avoid a home with a security system. This can be a pricy investment, but it is also the best way to secure your home. Home security systems will only work if you always remember to engage the alarm. You should have your alarm engaged while you are away or while you are at home as many thieves will attempt to break into one part of your home while you are busy in another.

When your security system is tripped, your monitoring company receives the signal, they then act on it as per instructions on the account and start calling the contact persons from top to the bottom of the list. In that list you can add your alarm response security company as the contact person in the order you like. For more information about having a security system setup for your home, and for our alarm response services, please contact us.

The post 7 Security Tips For New Homeowners appeared first on Unicorn Security.

Don & Tracy’s Pirate Ship Halloween Party by Scott Beale / Laughing Squid

Banks and Credit Unions

Every year there is a rash of robberies that involve criminals wearing Halloween masks in order to disguise their appearance. Even if warning signs are posted about masks, they can be concealed in pockets until the thieves are inside. Very visible extra security may be enough to deter some of these thieves. If the odds of your being robbed increases enough to be measurable, it only makes sense to take security precautions.

Neighborhood Stores

In addition to the increased chance of robbery, neighborhood stores are common victims of graffiti artists, children throwing eggs and toilet paper, and other forms of property damage. Even if your store is in a relatively safe neighborhood, the fact that it’s Halloween week brings out the devil in many younger people. The point of these pranks is to carry them out in secrecy, so a security guard posted right outside your door for a week or so should be enough to prevent all but the most determined Halloween pranksters.

High Volume Stores

Grocery store clerks and big-box store cashiers may think nothing of a group of costumed people coming in near Halloween, but the fact that many thousands of dollars runs through their doors each day make them natural targets for thieves. Any time costumes and masks aren’t seen as suspicious is a time crime will increase. Positioning extra security at entrances and exits, as well as enforcing a no-mask rule for every shopper, will help to lower the chances of your being a crime victim.

Bars and Clubs

Bars and clubs have a unique set of reasons why they need extra security during Halloween week. In addition to the increase robbery risk that all other business experience, bars and clubs usually hold large celebrations on Halloween night. This usually entails drink specials, people over indulging, drunken fights, and people trying to leave while under the influence. Depending on your state, you may be criminally responsible if a customer gets drunk in your club and then has an accident or hurts someone else. Extra security in the form of physically fit bouncers are a great deterrent to many of these things occurring, and can help take care of the problems once they happen. Security personnel can call cabs for drunks customers, break up fights, and generally add an atmosphere of safety and security to help make your customers feel better about partying in your club.

The post Do I Need Increased Security on Halloween Night? appeared first on Unicorn Security.

Barking Mad Max by Sean Barry is licensed under CC by 2.0

Another truth is that dogs that bark selectively make homes less likely targets of the bad guys.  Imagine, tiptoeing up to a house, just getting ready to enter when a dog with a basso profundo bark announces his presence.  Although in that situation a tiny yap might work just as well.

Now, imagine another scenario.  A burglar is casing a neighborhood when he sees a house with some things that catch his eye.  Something that says class and valuable possessions, or maybe there are no signs for motion detectors, or maybe the house is separated from their neighbors a little more than other houses in the neighborhood.  But there is a dog in an outdoor kennel and that dog won’t shut up.

The bad guy stays in his car with the window rolled down for 30 minutes and the dang dog won’t quit barking.  Squirrels? Bark.  Birds? Bark.    A flag flapping in the wind?  Bark, bark.  This dog barks at everything including his own shadow.

With all that noise, that would be a safe house from burglars, wouldn’t it?  Maybe not.  A dog that barks at something proves to be a better guard dog than one who barks at everything. The old saying that the wheel that squeaks gets oiled is not necessarily true.  Sometimes, the wheel that squeaks gets ignored.  By everyone.

If a thief sees evidence of things in a house that are worth their time to steal, a dog that barks all of the time, or too often, will be ignored, and it is possible that dog might even provide cover for the bad guys.  It doesn’t matter if the dog is in a kennel, on a chain, or in the house, constant barking is no deterrent to a thief.

The good news is it is possible to train a dog not to bark all of the time, while still maintaining their natural instinct to bark at things unusual and things that don’t belong.  It is even possible to train a dog who goes nuts when someone comes to the door to tone their reaction down without stopping all enthusiasm of barking when someone is at the door.

Most homeowners prefer their dog not act like the Tasmanian Devil when a visitor comes, but they wouldn’t mind barking as long as the dog stops when instructed to.  Invited guests prefer that sort of greeting too, but uninvited guests will receive a vocal greeting that won’t stop unless the owner tells the dog to stop.

Dogs are wonderful companions, and they can help deter home invasions.  But, without some control on a dog’s barking, it may be giving the homeowner s false sense of security.

The post Barking Dogs Don’t Always Deter Burglars appeared first on Unicorn Security.

Easy Targets

Success as a burglar is similar to success as a jackal. Wild dogs don’t pursue meals that are dangerous or difficult to catch when an easy meal is available. In the same way, a thief will not risk a fight or incarceration if he doesn’t have to.

A convicted burglar admitted to a Neighborhood Watch meeting why he targeted the elderly and the trusting. His first crime happened because it was easier than working.

He sold carbon-monoxide detectors door-to-door. After installing one for an older lady, she paid him from an envelope full of cash. He asked her for a glass of water and stole the envelope while she was filling the glass.

From then on, the job was only a way into homes he would rob.

What Burglars Avoid

He never robbed adult males. He watched out for work boots on the doorstep. He stayed away from cameras.

If asked for ID, he would say it was in his van.He would leave and not return.

And he avoided Neighborhood Watch signs. He always took the easy path.

But do Watches Work?

According to that thief, the presence of signs and patrols are a deterrent. Concerned citizens patrolling the streets make burglars find another neighborhood.

The mere existence of a watch group will not work long if the members don’t use certain tactics. For neighbors away from home a long time, the watch must create the illusion of occupancy. A thief will strike if he believes the home is vacant.

Pick up the daily paper, collect mail and bring in the trash if the occupant cannot. Encourage the use of timer-activated lights and leave the radio on.

Buy a big pair of steel-toe boots, stomp them in the mud and leave them by the welcome mat.

In a 2008 study, the United States Justice Department discovered a 16% decrease in crime for communities with a Neighborhood Watch compared to neighboring communities without one. 19 of 36 communities studied saw a drop in crime.

That’s not a large decrease. Watches are often formed in response to a single crime. The resulting lack of crime may just be a coincidence.

The study also pointed out that watches usually form in safe, stable neighborhoods and rarely in the ones that truly need them.

Be the Hard Target

A thief should choose someone other than you. A neighborhood watch will help. So will good locks, cameras, alarm stickers and alert neighbors.

Always ask for identification from a stranger at your door. A professional will always have it.

Remember: it’s your door and your choice. You don’t have to let anyone in.

A neighborhood watch won’t protect you if you act like an easy victim.

The post Are burglars deterred by neighborhood watches? appeared first on Unicorn Security.

If you’re reading this page, you’ve probably chosen the latter. If you’re still leaning toward the former, just know that you may save some money up front, but that poorly trained, unprofessional security staff can cost you considerably more in the long run due to their lack of vigilance.

With that said, there are three key points to look for in a security company for your strata or building complex.

• Cost
• Reputation
• Professional Standards

Let’s start with…

Cost

When it comes to cost, you want to be willing to pay for great service, but you need to know that you’re getting a fair price, and you need to know what you’re paying for. If they quote a good price for basic service, but add hundreds to the bill for “extras” that you never knowingly signed on for, then you didn’t get a good price. You can usually tell whether or not your quoted price is a fair estimate by looking at the company’s…

Reputation

Look at reviews, ask other people in your industry and check out your company on the Better Business Bureau. Look at how long they’ve been in business, and how long most clients stick with them. This will let you know who you’re dealing with.

Professional Standards

Your best bet here is to look at their reputation, and to ask them about what they do and how they do it. Do their methods sound sufficient, or lackadaisical to you? Be thorough and rigorous.

Finding a good security company is important. As long as you take the time to ensure that your company meets your personal standards of professionalism, you should have no problems.

The post What to Look for in a Security Company for a Strata or Building Complex appeared first on Unicorn Security.

Tradeshows are necessary for many large industries, allowing people who work on opposite sides of the country to meet and mingle, making deals and connections that often change their respective industries. Tradeshows range from industrial equipment to pornography to travel industries—in other words, each show will vary greatly in scale and needs for security. However, every trade show needs some sort of security so below are a few of the general security measures that need to be taken by whoever is coordinating the tradeshow event itself. The better organized the security is, the more successful the event will be as a whole, allowing it to grow the following year and beyond. Check out some tradeshow security tips below.

All Entrances and Exits

Security should be present at all entrances and exits of a trade show, checking badges, tickets or whatever has been issued at the tradeshow for those who have paid to be there. This is more important at certain tradeshows than others, but it keeps those who have no business being there out and allows those who are invested in the industry or have paid or been given the right to be there the piece of mind that everyone they talk to is also in their industry.

Floor Security

Security should be present on each aisle of the tradeshow floor, monitoring booths. For very popular booths with big crowds, security should make sure people aren’t blocking access to surrounding booths or becoming unruly. They also need to monitor booths and make sure they aren’t doing anything that isn’t allowed by the tradeshow itself (this will often vary from event to event). Most security on the floor should just walk casually from one end to the other, keeping an eye on what is happening in their particular area.

Monitoring Cameras and Media at the Show

Security is also necessary at tradeshows to monitor all cameras and media that may be present at the event, ensuring they are credentialed and cleared to be there. Some companies don’t want their logo or employees to be photographed or videotaped, nor do celebrities who make an appearance at tradeshows in some cases. Security must keep a close eye on this, as one video leaked from the tradeshow that goes viral on the internet can cause a lot of problems, trigger a lawsuit and hurt the reputation of the tradeshow in general.

Numbers of Security

You will ideally need one security guard per exit and at least one security guard per aisle of booths on the floor of the tradeshow itself, as well as a supervisor to coordinate the rest of the security working the event. This may vary greatly based upon what type of tradeshow it is and how many people may be attending. If it is incredibly popular and many thousands of people will be there, you may want to even assign security teams to each row, with each guard watching a small handful of booths.

The post What Type of Security do You Need for a Tradeshow? appeared first on Unicorn Security.

What is your experience working in my sector?

You want to ensure that your provider is actually experienced in your sector. A chemical plant has different needs than a software company. Similarly residential building has different needs than a commercial building and industrial have different needs from a shopping mall and so on. Ask you provider about the experience in your sector and references.

What type of insurance do you have?

The specific needs here will vary depending on your industry. The short answer you’re looking for is: comprehensive. Consider the sorts of incidents that might occur on your premise and what types of insurance claims might arise from that. To obtain a security business license every provider needs to have $ 1 million general liability insurance however companies servicing big clients where the risks are high carry $5-10 million including employee dishonesty bond. The insurance documents could be requested by the provider. We at Unicorn carry $5 million general liability insurance with our clients being addition insured on the policy.

What type of training do your security guards have?

Do their security guards go above and beyond the required amount of training? Are they capable of dealing with the public in a friendly but professional way if that’s part of the job? Make sure the training fits the assignment.

To become a security guard in BC a candidate must go through BST certification course offered by several private training institutes and or by Justice Institute of BC. After the course the candidate goes through the finger prints and series of back ground test by the Ministry Of Justice before he is given the Security Guard license to work in BC. Aside from BST course we at Unicorn Security offer numerous courses to security guards such as OFA level 1& 2, Customer Service Course, WHMIS, Super Host and many supervisory courses.

What happens if there is an incident on our property?

Every security company has different policies for this sort of thing, and only by asking will you know whether their policies match yours.

What happens if an incident happens during off hours?

Security guards are the ones who are there when nobody else is, so you need to make sure that your company is in capable hands.

How much security does my business actually need?

In some industries, security itself isn’t so much a necessity, but you can earn tremendous insurance breaks if you employee a security staff. In others, you really do need a guard in every room. It depends on your business, your industry, your neighborhood, etc., and the best security companies will be honest with you, even if it means that they’re only assigning a single guard to your location.

The security guard’s motto is “observe and report.” That’s really what the job is all about. Few security guards are trained to engage criminals in the act, but they will be there as a pair of eyes to deter crime, they will contact emergency services as needed, and a capable security company will ensure that your business is in safe hands at all times.

The post 6 Questions to Ask Your Security Guard appeared first on Unicorn Security.

It’s important to realize, however, that just because you already have a security system doesn’t make you impervious to break-ins and other types of awful situations. There are a few key signs that you should definitely watch out for that will help clue you into the fact that your building needs increased security.

Pay Attention to Crime Statistics

Crime statistics for your area are updated periodically and will usually include information about the volume of crimes as well as about specific types of crimes being committed. If you find that the crime stats in your area have dramatically increased, it’s time to increase security as a result.

Likewise, if you own a business and crimes are frequently perpetrated against similar types of buildings, you should take the necessary precautions and increase security as a result.

Your Insurance Went Up

Many people don’t realize that the safety of a particular neighborhood is one of the many factors that influences the price you pay for business or homeowner’s insurance on a regular basis. If you aren’t paying attention to the crime statistics, your insurance rates may be the next best thing.

If your insurance rates have skyrocketed for no apparent reason, call your provider and ask why. If it has to do with the safety of your neighborhood, it’s time to step up security to be as safe as possible.

If Your Existing Security System Failed to Prevent a Break-In

One of the most obvious signs that you need an increase in security is if your existing system did little to no good when it came to stopping a theft or break-in.

Home security systems aren’t like cars. If you drive a specific model of a car that you don’t like, you’d trade it in for a new model or you might instead take the bus. Home security is different and a failure in one regard essentially requires you to double down.

If someone got into your business through a specific vulnerability, add motion sensors or additional cameras to plug that hole as quickly as possible. If someone broke into your home through a window on the second floor that you didn’t think you had to monitor, be sure to add motion detectors on the second level moving forward.

Oftentimes having a home security system or a system for your business, on its own, isn’t enough. It is a good start, however. By increasing security when the time is right, you can help prevent a potentially devastating situation that might be just around the corner.

If Your Existing Security Guard or Mobile Patrol Failed to Prevent a Break-In or Vandalism

 If your existing security guard or mobile patrol security had failed to prevent a break-in or vandalism, its time to review the timings of the shift and frequency of patrols being done at your premises.

Keeping the security cost same, you can randomize your security guard start and end times to show more presence at your property. Similarly you can monitor your mobile patrol timings and can randomize the patrol times to get better security coverage. Adding a mobile patrol or few extra hours of security guard on weekends & stat holidays is always a good idea and could save you lot of headache.

The post Signs Your Building Needs Increased Security appeared first on Unicorn Security.

Unicorn Security is pleased to announce that it has been selected to provide security guards & concierge services to  River Green Phase 1 in Richmond.

We at Unicorn Security are very excited to add Canada’s most significant waterfront community to our portfolio and are committed to provide best in class services.

Our team officially took over the services from an existing security contractor at 00:01 on June 1st 2014.

The River Green  phase 1 was completed in 2013. River Green Phase 1 is located on the Fraser River, just off of the Richmond Olympic Oval.

Location of River Green Phase 1

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