COMMUNITY SAFETY SERVICES

Provided by the South Granville BIA for BIA Members

Quick Contacts

  • South Granville BIA Concierge & Loss Prevention 604-992-6644

  • Call 911 for emergencies (Police, Fire and Medical) where immediate response is needed. This includes danger or a crime in progress.

  • Call 604-717-3321 for VPD non-emergency

  • Call 311 for a general inquiry or public realm issue (City of Vancouver)

  • Email safety@southgranville.org just to let us know if you observe anything of concern

Our Concierge Team

Our street concierge service supports businesses in dealing with impactful illegal behavior, vandalism, graffiti, environmental and safety hazards including but not limited to:

  • Daily foot patrol of the BIA area from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm (excluding statutory holidays)

  • Regular Proactive check-ins with businesses regarding safety concerns

  • Hot spot, park, parking lot, plaza and underpass patrol

  • Assist businesses with identifying, reporting and submitting crime-related incidences.

  • Report public maintenance issues to 311

  • Call 911 for issues in progress.

  • Deterrence of crimes

  • Safewalk 7 days each week

  • Welfare checks: assess whether an individual needs immediate medical attention

  • Reporting insecure vehicles to prevent theft from auto

  • Ensuring businesses are secure and mention vulnerabilities.

All Concierges are licensed security guards, trained in first aid, and conflict resolution.

Call 604-992-6644 for the South Granville Concierge for assistance on the following concerns:

  • Ask for assistance regarding a sleeper on your property

  • Support for a safety-related concern

  • Call for a Safewalk by 5:00 pm

  • Report a safety concern in the public domain for the BIA to address

  • Needle Pick-up

  • First Aid

  • Lost and Found

Reid Penick, Community Safety Coordinator

  • Meets and Liaises with the Community Policing Centre

  • Attends monthly VPD Business Liaison meetings

  • Collects crime data

  • Meets with members on their safety concerns

  • Provides support where appropriate

  • Needle Pick up

  • Report maintenance issues to SGBIA service contractors

Ivy Haisell, Executive Director

  • Meet with Adam Palmer, Vancouver Chief of Police quarterly each year to discuss trends and concerns.

  • Advocate with VPD and all levels of government to address root levels of civil disorder.

  • Work with other like-minded organizations on common goals for public safety.

Dave Jones, Crime Analyst and Consultant

  • Tracks and analyzes crime data and follows up accordingly

  • Escalates your crime issues within VPD for attention

  • Notifying businesses of imminent crime issues

Public Realm & Cleanliness Contractors

  • Removal of graffiti on our member’s private property below 10 ft on a weekly basis.

  • Regular five times a month microcleaning of the street.

  • Light installations that increase public safety

Safety Check-up For Businesses

  • Ensuring the safety of customers and employees is crucial for brick-and-mortar businesses. Here are a few recommended best practices for you to review with your team to enhance safety:

  • Implement Security Measures: Install cameras to monitor activities inside and outside the store. This can deter theft and provide evidence if incidents occur. Take advantage of the Securing Small Business Grant to install a camera.

  • Customer Handling: Teach employees how to handle difficult customers or potentially dangerous situations to de-escalate conflicts. You can call the Police and the Concierge if you require backup.

  • Maintain your exteriors: Ensure all areas, including parking lots and back alleys, are clean, and well-lit especially at night to prevent accidents and discourage criminal activities and break-ins.

  • Incident Reporting: Encourage staff to report safety issues or incidents immediately to the SGBIA Concierge and VPD. Issues are only addressed if they are known. No issue is too small.

  • Implement safe closing policies for your team: 

  • Lock your doors before counting cash or balancing registers.

  • Have at least two employees working during closing or night shifts.

  • Go cashless and say so with a sign on your window.

  • Ensure your back door is locked unless in use.

  • Put up a ‘No Cash Overnight’ sign after you close.

  • Do not engage. Hang up. Immediately call *57.

    A recorded voice message will confirm that the call has been traced. The traced information is released only to law enforcement officials after they have obtained a warrant to take legal action. Contact VPD non-emergency to report the incident.

    Send an email to let us know - safety@southgranville.org

    How to block calls from a landline

    Pick up your phone and dial *60.

    • Press #.

    • Press 0.

    • Press 1.

    • Press #.

    From a Rogers phone

    From a Telus phone

  • Trust your instincts and report anything unusual to the appropriate authorities. 

    The VPD suggests using the OHNO approach: 

    • Observe: Pay attention to behaviors and surroundings. 

    • Hello: Initiate a greeting to assess the situation. 

    • Navigate the Risk: Evaluate the level of risk. 

    • Obtain Help: Seek assistance if necessary.

    Disclaimer: Avoid letting preconceived notions, biases, or discriminatory practices influence your assessment. Focus on the person’s actions, not their appearance.

  • Call 911 for crimes in progress within a 50-minute window. Make note of the physical description, direction of travel, and if possible their shoes. Criminals can change their outfits but rarely their shoes.

    If help has been called, inform the individual that assistance is on the way and give them the chance to reconsider their behavior or leave. Do not attempt to trap them while waiting for help.

  • Ask them to leave if you are comfortable. Call the concierge to request support.

    Can I refuse service?

    While it’s good practice to serve everyone in the community, businesses are not obligated to serve every customer. Customers do not have an automatic right to be served.

    You have the right to refuse service to a customer if they: 

    • Use foul language 

    • Cause a disturbance 

    • Threaten violence 

    • Use drugs 

    • Have caused similar problems in the past 


    You do not have the right to refuse service based on prejudice, such as: 

    • Sexual orientation 

    • Skin colour

    • Culture


  • Email safety@southgranville.org with a picture, time and incidence so that we can log the data for trends. The issue should be addressed by your property manager.

  • Email a photo of the tag to safety@southgranville.org. We will let our contractor know to take care of it on their next visit. Vancouver property owners can also receive free paint for removal twice per calendar year by calling 311.

  • If you feel unsafe, harassed or being followed. Call 911 and head to the nearest safe place which may be a nearby business. Carrying a personal safety device such as a whistle, can help to alert others if you need help.

  • Do not respond, keep walking and call 911.


  • Call 911 immediately. For delayed incidents, call non-emergency at 604-717-3321. Do not enter the premises to preserve the crime scene for police investigation.

  • Stay calm, obey the suspects demands and don’t volunteer anything. Tell the suspect what you are doing before doing anything and don’t make any sudden moves. Remember the suspects description.


    After the suspect leaves, lock the doors and call 911. Close your business until police arrive to examine the scene. Protect evidence, particularly the area around where the robbery occurred.

  • Give the note to the police. For more information visit bankofcanada.ca

  • It is at this time the SGBIA believes this housing program should add to our diverse and inclusive community, as well as ensure people in our community have access to safe and secure housing with wraparound, person-centered supports which may include daily meals, life and employment skills training, and connections to health care and other community services.

Resources

Call 211 for Shelters 

For individuals experiencing homelessness or in need of shelter services, 211 is your go-to resource. Connect those in need with vital support services, including emergency shelters, food programs, and housing assistance.

Securing Small Business Rebate

Recognizing the increased costs to businesses due to property crime and vandalism in rural and urban communities across the province, the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation has launched its $10.5 million Securing Small Business Rebate Program, which will provide small businesses with funds for eligible commercial property crime and vandalism repairs, or to implement eligible preventative measures.

The program’s application has been simplified for reparative and preventative work. The portal is open and can be accessed here. The portal will remain open until January 31, 2025, or until the program is fully subscribed.

VPD Trespass Prevention Program

The VPD is dedicated to improving public safety, ensuring property owners enjoy the safe use and enjoyment of their property, and that vulnerable people in our community receive the help they need. Multi-residential and commercial property owners who sign up for the Trespass Prevention Program give police officers the authority to come on to their property and engage with trespassers. It eliminates the need for property owners to contact police and request they attend to enforce any BC Trespass Act infractions.


Sign up for the program decal to give the police officers the authority to come onto your property to engage with trespassers.