Loss Prevention Team

The Loss Prevention Program is comprised of six full-time Loss Prevention Specialists who are trained to protect members and their property from theft and vandalism. Specific areas of focus are retail stores, office towers, hotels, parkades and public events.
 
The program is designed to work in partnership with the Downtown Ambassadors® Program, the Vancouver Police Department, contract and in-house security, transit security and the provincial automobile insurance agency (ICBC).
 
The role of the Loss Prevention Specialists is to:
 
  • identify, target, observe, deter and/or apprehend property crime offenders who prey on members and their businesses
  • liaise with and assist the security professionals (contract and in-house), district police constables and member businesses with active problem sites by providing support in surveillance, incident reports and intelligence gathering
  • prepare concise and detailed crown counsel reports of offenders for prosecution, requesting "no gos" to the area, and attending court on behalf of member businesses
  • respect all protocols established with police and security professionals (contract and in-house) by notifying them as offenders enter their businesses or buildings
  • respond to all members' concerns regarding known offenders, suspicious persons information requests and seeking proper resolutions to the matter
  • be a link for the Downtown Ambassadors®, district constables, security professionals and member businesses

Equipment
In order to effectively combat criminals, the Loss Prevention Specialists have been equipped with the following: 
  • binoculars
  • two-way radios
  • digital cameras
  • cell phones
  • bikes
  • mobile video surveillance equipment
  • computers
  • hand-held Casio computers (in partnership with the Insurance Corporation of BC, these computers track all stolen cars)

Management
The program is co-managed by the DVBIA and Genesis Security, a private security firm. The DVBIA is responsible for program development, supervision of policy and procedures and monitoring of crime issues through its Director, Crime Prevention Services. The contractor is responsible for hiring, basic security, training and managing personnel.

Inquiries or applications for employment should be directed to Genesis Security at 604-669-0822, or visit their website at www.genesissecurity.com
 

Budget
The Downtown Ambassador® and Loss Prevention Team programs are funded exclusively by the DVBIA. The budget for 2007-08 is $961,140 or 59% of the DVBIA's programming budget of $1,620,198.