News Article: November 24, 2004
Section: Business BC
Outlet: The Vancouver Sun
Title: Genesis street patrol helps Granville night clubs
Page: D. 19
Date: 2004-11-24
The Vancouver Nightclub scene is radically different than it was a few years ago.
Guns, knives, date rape drugs and drunken fights outside downtown clubs are part of teh new harsh reality the city and bar owners are working to control.
To assist the overloaded Vancouver Police Department, Barwatch has contracted Genesis Security to provide street patrol for the 700 to 1100 blocks of Granville Street (Smithe to Davie) on Friday and Saturday nights (and Sundays during a long weekend).
Genesis provides two, two person patrols backed up by a roving supervisor as well as management staff when required.
"Our role is to keep things on the street under control," says Genesis President Camil Duduc. "Where there are long line-ups at some bars we stop people outside from drinking as they are waiting to enter bars; we prevent fights as much as possible or deal with the individuals until the police arrive. We support their efforts as best we can and we leave the actual police work to the police," he says.
"We also communicate with all the door staff about any problems in their line-up... people drinking, people evicted or refused entry to another bar so they know how to address these guys before they get into one of the licensed premises. And, of course, we work with the bar staff and the police to ensure that, on closing, people go home as quickly and quietly as possible."
"It's a new era," says Dave Sukic, General Manager for Genesis Security.
"We're there to focus on prevention and assist police to ensure that everyone has a good time."
Bringing in Genesis's security guards is just one of many solutions bar owners are attempting. Metal detection scanners and ID machines where bar patrons swipe their drivers' licences are also proving to be a deterrent.
Barwatch and club operators have been extremely receptive to the new technology which allows them to know exactly who is in their clubs at all times. The system, provided by TreoScope Technologies allows club operators to [capture a live photo] of a patron and register the data from their swiped ID.
This information can be used to prevent minors and banned individuals from entering their premises, along with being able to isolate drink tamperers and individuals involved in theft or fights after the incidents have occured. These patron files can then be shared between club establishments who use the database to prevent repeat offenders and to ensure a greater degree of safety for participating clubs.
"You could have a troublemaker at one bar, send his information off to all the bars on the system, and the bar would be aware of his history," Genesis' Dave Sukic says.
It's then up to each bar to decide whether to let the patron inside.
Sukic says the best advice to club-goers is to "Be Aware!"
Go to the well-lit, and well-patrolled spots.
Never leave your drink unattended.
Designate one person in your group to monitor the well being of friends. And then take turns in this role on different nights.