Reed Security Must Reads - Public Advisory

CANADA'S MOST DANGEROUS (AND SAFEST) PLACES

virgil@reedsecurity.ca — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 12:21:00 -0600

Source: Statistics Canada

The Crime Severity Index (CSI) measures changes in the level of severity of crime in Canada from year to year that have been reported to the Police. In the index, all crimes are assigned a weight based on their seriousness. The level of seriousness is based on actual sentences handed down by the courts in all provinces and territories.

CANADA'S MOST DANGEROUS (AND SAFEST) MAJOR CITIES AND THEIR CSI SCORES

Lethbridge, 128.7
Kelowna, 122.3
Winnipeg, 113.6
Moncton, 113.4
Regina, 110.9
Saskatoon, 106
Thunder Bay, 101.3
Edmonton, 97.5
Greater Sudbury, 84.4
Vancouver, 81.6
London, 80.1
Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo, 79.4
Abbotsford–Mission, 78.2
Brantford, 75.7
Windsor, 74.8
Kingston, 72.8
Calgary, 72.3
Victoria, 71.5
Belleville, 69.3
St. John's, 67.9
Halifax, 65.7
Peterborough, 64.8
St. Catharines–Niagara, 62.1
Guelph, 58.2
Hamilton, 56.9
Montréal, 55.9
Saint John, 51.1
Sherbrooke, 50.9
Trois-Rivières, 50.6
Saguenay, 50
Gatineau, 49.6
Ottawa, 49.3
Barrie, 45.9
Toronto, 45.5

A number of Saskatchewan cities didn't make the list due to their size, but have some of the highest CSI scores in Canada.

For Saskatchewan communities above 10,000 population, North Battleford’s CSI topped the province again. It went up to 480.72, an increase of 11.89%. Its violent crime severity score was 518.42, down 7.46%. Non-violent crime severity was 466.02, up from 381.68.

Prince Albert again recorded a high CSI score of 263.44 and a violent crime severity of 413.51.

For other Saskatchewan communities, Moose Jaw’s CSI score was 127.17, Yorkton was 147.59, Estevan 91.13, Weyburn 77.34 and Swift Current 50.23.

HOW DID THE PANDEMIC IMPACT CRIME?

The COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact Canada's economy, health care system and society in general throughout 2021, changing how people interact, socialize, learn, work and consume. Overall, while police-reported crime in Canada, as measured by the Crime Severity Index (CSI), was virtually unchanged in the second year of the pandemic, there were notable shifts in the nature of reported crimes.

The Violent CSI rose 5% in 2021, reaching a level higher than that before the beginning of the pandemic. The increase in violent crime compared with 2020 was attributable in part to higher rates of level 1 sexual assault, harassing and threatening behaviours, and homicide, among others.

Additionally, the number of hate-motivated crimes reported by police increased by 27% to 3,360 incidents. Higher numbers of hate crimes targeting religion, sexual orientation and race or ethnicity accounted for the majority of the increase.

In contrast, the Non-Violent CSI—which includes, for example, property offences and drug offences—continued to decline (-3%), after a 9% drop in 2020. These two consecutive decreases follow five years of increases. Much of the decline in 2021 was because of lower rates of breaking and entering (-10%) and theft of $5,000 or under (-4%).

The overall CSI changed from 73.9 in 2020 to 73.7 in 2021. This follows a 7% drop in the CSI in 2020, the first decrease after five years of successive increases. The CSI measures the volume and severity of police-reported crime in Canada and has a base index value of 100 for 2006. The police-reported crime rate, which measures only the volume of crime, was 5,375 incidents per 100,000 population in 2021, up 1% from 2020.

Police-reported metrics include only those incidents that come to the attention of police, either through reporting by the public or proactive policing. As a complementary measure, results from the 2019 General Social Survey (GSS) on Canadians' Safety (Victimization) showed that just under one-third (29%) of violent and non-violent incidents were reported to police. Similarly, just over one-fifth (22%) of incidents perceived to be motivated by hate were reported to police.

CANNABIS RETAIL STORE SECURITY REQUIREMENTS IN SASKATCHEWAN

virgil@reedsecurity.ca — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 10:42:00 -0600

Need Security for Your Cannabis Retail Store and don't know where to start?

Reed Security has extensive experience designing robust security solutions that meet strict SLGA requirements.

Drop us a line or call 306-653-3200 if you would like our help protecting your cannabis retail store.

The information within this article is current as of February 8, 2022.

Published by SLGA

Cannabis Regulatory Policy Manual

Appendix: Facility Security

SLGA has developed the following physical security requirements for cannabis wholesale, retail store, and retail off-site storage facilities located in Saskatchewan (referred to in this document as cannabis permitted premises). A detailed description of proposed security measures will be required as part of any permit application, and any changes to an approved plan or system must be authorized by SLGA in advance of implementation.

Subsection 1 describes requirements for cannabis wholesale, standalone retail, and off-site retail storage facilities. Physical security requirements for integrated retail stores, described separately in subsection 2, have been modified on the assumption that integrated stores in small communities will not typically have large amounts of cannabis on the premises at a given time.

However, SLGA reserves the right to impose additional security requirements before or after permitting as deemed necessary depending on individual business models and operations.

1. Wholesale, standalone retail, and off-site storage

a. Alarm System

A cannabis permitted premises must be protected by a professionally installed and monitored alarm system with the following minimum features. All malfunctions must be immediately repaired by a professional technician.

i. detectors to indicate unauthorized attempts to tamper with, open, enter or penetrate perimeter entry points, perimeter windows and secure cannabis storage area;

ii. detectors to indicate unauthorized movement within the premises including the secure cannabis storage area;

iii. capability to detect any attempts to tamper with the system or malfunctions with the system;

iv. smoke detectors in any areas where cannabis is stored; and

v. panic/robbery button(s) installed at all point of sale positions (retail store only).

b. Digital Camera Security System

i. A cannabis permitted premises must have a digital camera security system with the following minimum features. All malfunctions must be immediately repaired by a professional technician.

ii. cameras that are enclosed in the ceiling or domes and linked to a monitor and recording system located in a secure area within the premises;

iii. cameras and lighting that are positioned to clearly capture 24 hour coverage of activity identifying all individuals entering/exiting the premises and all individuals within the premises including the:

• point of sale area(s) (retail stores only);

• customer area(s) (retail stores only);

• areas where cannabis is displayed for sale (retail stores only);

• receiving area(s);

• offices and other staff area(s); and

• any cannabis storage areas.

iv. system must have on premises 60 calendar day minimum recording retention in a common format that is easily accessible, captured, viewed and capable of producing real time digital colour video (meaning at least 30 frames per second) and still images that clearly identify individuals and contain a time/date stamp not obscuring the image;

v. recording and viewing system must be located in a secure location within the premises along with a maintained surveillance plan showing camera numbers, locations, coverage, authorized users list and operating instructions;

vi. if the permittee has knowledge, or should have had knowledge, of any pending criminal or regulatory investigation, recorded data and relevant information must not be destroyed after the 60 calendar day minimum recording retention period and must be provided to SLGA and police upon request; and

vii. the system must be tested weekly to ensure all cameras and recording equipment are functioning properly and a log of the test results must be kept and available to SLGA upon request.

c. Perimeter Security

i. Standalone cannabis retail stores, off-site retail storage facilities, and cannabis wholesale warehouses must secure perimeter entry points against unauthorized access by, at a minimum:

ii. the use of 1.5mm (16 gauge) hollow metal doors with 1.9mm (14 gauge) metal frame and tamper‐proof hinges at all entry points;

iii. commercial grade non‐residential locks on all access points with secured tamper‐proof strike plate and locking device that penetrates the doorframe at minimum 1.25cm;

iv. an overhead receiving door (if required) constructed of commercial grade material and locking device sufficient to secure against unauthorized access;

v. perimeter locking devices not on a master key system;

vi. loading/unloading bay and entry door areas located outside the secure structure for cannabis storage, with any walls or interior access doors adjoining the secure structure meeting the requirements outlined in subsection d below; and

vii. a customer entrance constructed of commercial grade material sufficient to secure against unauthorized access (retail stores only).

d. Cannabis Storage

Any areas within a cannabis permitted premises where cannabis is stored, including any receiving or staging areas where cannabis is kept after operating hours, must be fully enclosed in a secure structure that meets the following minimum requirements (this secure structure may form the external walls of the building if preferred, excluding any loading/unloading bays and entry door areas). Cannabis edibles and samples are exempt from this requirement and may remain in the retail area after operating hours.

Subsection e below outlines an alternative option available to retail stores only. SLGA may also consider other alternatives on a case-by-case basis as long as they provide security at least equivalent to the requirements outlined below.

i. walls, floors, and ceiling constructed of Flattened Metal Mesh, EMMA 557‐99 style ¾‐9F, nominal strand thickness of 0.120” (0.108” to 0.132”) diamond opening of 0.563” x 1.688” or Sheet steel 16ga, A1008/A1008M (cold rolled) or A1011/A1011M (hot rolled) or equivalent, OR 30 cm (12") high density cement blocks with cores filled with type "M" mortar and reinforced to meet structural codes, OR 20 cm (8") thick poured concrete (20.7 MPa (3000 lbs/in2) minimum), reinforced to meet structural codes;

ii. if sheet steel or steel mesh is used, it is to be mounted on the outside (attack side) of the room, including the ceiling, in the following manner:

• support all edges by anti‐spread bracing, studs orcorners;

• align sheet edges at every vertical and horizontal seam on centre‐line of steel stud or anti‐spread bracing; and

• secure all sheets with screws, welds or rivets.

iii. 16 gauge (1.6mm) steel sheets, HR Commercial quality, ASTM A366, matte finish, shall extend 1200mm around doorframe on inside of room and attached to the doorframe with screws, welds or rivets. Where the dimensions of the secure structure do not allow for 1200mm clearance around the doorframe, the steel sheets may be bent to conform to the inside of the secure structure walls and/or ceiling);

iv. minimum 1.5mm (16 gauge) hollow metal door(s) not exceeding 91.44cm (36 inches) width with 1.9mm (14 gauge) metal frame;

v. commercial grade door lock(s) with locking device(s) that penetrates doorframe at least 1.25cm and tamper‐ proof hinges;

vi. locking device(s) not on a master key system; and

vii. ventilation openings with one dimension 15cm (6 inches) or less and the total area of the opening not exceeding 619 cm2 (96 inches2).

e. Alternative Cannabis Storage (retail stores only)

Instead of a storage room, a retail store may choose to secure cannabis in a burglar resistant safe or similar device (such as a locking refrigeration unit) that meets the following requirements:

i. the safe is a burglary resistant safe (according to either standard ULC-S324 or standard UL-687 rated at TL-15 or higher.;

ii. has a locking system that secures the door in multiple parts of the door structure as well on more than one axis; and

iii. the safe weighs at least 341 kilograms or is anchored to the permanent structure of the building in such a manner that it cannot be removed without first opening the door to the safe.

2. Integrated retail

a. Alarm System

Integrated cannabis retail store permitted premises must be protected by a professionally installed and monitored alarm system with the following minimum features. All malfunctions must be immediately repaired by a professional technician.

i. motion sensors that indicate entry at common entry points (such as exterior windows and doors); and

ii. panic/robbery button(s) installed at all cannabis point of sale positions.

b. Digital Camera Security System

The cannabis permitted premises must have a digital camera security system with the following minimum features. All malfunctions must be immediately repaired by a professional technician.

i. cameras that are enclosed in the ceiling or domes and linked to a monitor and recording system located in a secure area within the premises;

ii. cameras and lighting that are positioned to clearly capture 24 hour coverage of activity identifying all individuals entering/exiting the cannabis permitted premises and any secure storage areas, and all individuals within the cannabis retail area including the:

• cannabis point of sale area(s);

• any areas where cannabis is visibly displayed for sale; and

• any areas where cannabis is stored.

iii. system must have on premises 60 calendar day minimum recording retention in a common format that is easily accessible, captured, viewed, and capable of producing real time digital colour video and still images that clearly identify individuals and contain a time/date stamp not obscuring the image;

iv. recording and viewing system must be located in a secure location within the premises along with a maintained surveillance plan showing camera numbers, locations, coverage, authorized users list and operating instructions.

v. if the permittee has knowledge, or should have had knowledge, of any pending criminal or regulatory investigation, recorded data and relevant information must not be destroyed after the 60 calendar day minimum recording retention period and must be provided to SLGA and police upon request; and

vi. the system must be tested weekly to ensure all cameras and recording equipment are functioning properly and a log of the test results must be kept and available to SLGA upon request.

c. Perimeter Security

A cannabis permitted premises must secure perimeter entry points against unauthorized access by ensuring that all entry points are secured with commercial grade non-residential locks.

d. Cannabis Storage

Cannabis products, excluding edibles and display samples, must be secured after operating hours using one of the methods described below. SLGA may also consider equivalent methods on a case by case basis.

i. a commercial safe, gun locker, or similar device located within the cannabis permitted premises that meets the following minimum requirements:

• is rated by the Underwriter Laboratories (UL) as a residential storage container (according to standard UL-1037) or a burglary resistant safe (according to either standard ULC-S324 or standard UL-687).

• has a locking system that secures the door in multiple parts of the door structure as well as on more than one axis; and

• weighs at least 341 kilograms or is anchored to the permanent structure of the building in such a manner that it cannot be removed without first opening the door to the safe.

ii. a secure storage area within the same facility as the cannabis permitted premises that meets the following minimum requirements:

• minors are prohibited access at all times;

• is used to store only products owned by the cannabis retail store permittee and intended for sale in the cannabis permitted premises and any related online store;

• is protected by an alarm system and digital camera security system as described in subsections a and b above;

• is secured using 1.5mm (16 gauge) hollow metal doors with 1.9mm (14 gauge metal frame and tamper-proof hinges, plus commercial grade nonresidential locks, a secured tamper-proof strike plate and locking device that penetrates the doorframe at minimum 1.25cm; and

• is secured with automatic locking doors on any entry points that open onto an unpermitted area or an area not monitored by staff at all times.

iii. An off-site secure storage facility that is authorized as part of the cannabis retail store permit and meets the off-site storage security requirements outlined in subsection 1 above, as well as any operating requirements described elsewhere in this document.

WARNING: THE DOOR KNOCKERS ARE BACK

virgil@reedsecurity.ca — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 10:23:00 -0600

Hi, I'm Alex. I'm your friendly neighborhood (well actually I don't live here) summer student that works for an out of town home security company.

During the school year I work pretty hard studying Business and from April to September I work hard knocking on a lot of doors - and by a lot I mean I've been to thousands of homes with my crew. I work with a crew of 20 or more reps, so it's a lot of fun!

The door to door home security company that I work for provided me with training. I'm proud to say that I have one whole week of product training. We spent most of the time on high pressure sales training and how to overcome objections. I'm pretty confident that no matter how many times you say "no thanks" or demand that I leave - I've always got a comeback. Take a look at some of my door to door sales training classes:

HOW TO USE DECEPTION - WHITE LIES ARE JUST BENDING THE RULES

HOW TO NAME DROP AND MAKE IT SOUND LIKE THE NEIGHBORS REFERRED YOU (WHEN THEY DIDN'T)

HOW TO MAKE IT SOUND LIKE OUR "FREE" SECURITY SYSTEM IS WORTH $2,000

IMPERSONATING THE EXISTING SECURITY PROVIDER

HOW TO CREATE URGENCY BY HAVING NO LOCAL OFFICE "WE'RE ONLY HERE TODAY"

HOW TO OVERCOME BUYERS REMORSE WITH A QUICK, SAME DAY INSTALLATION

HOW TO TRICK THE MOST VULNERABLE - SENIOR CITIZENS

WHAT TO DO WHEN THEY SAY "NO"

WHAT TO DO WHEN THEY SAY "NO" REPEATEDLY AND ASK YOU TO LEAVE

WHAT TO DO WHEN THEY SWEAR AT YOU AND THREATEN TO CALL THE POLICE

WHEN GOING BACK 3 TIMES ISN'T ENOUGH

Pretty awesome stuff right? I'm going to make a ton of dough this summer! I don't get a base salary, but I do make $400 to $500 every time I get you to sign up. So, I have a lot of motivation to keep bugging and pressuring you. We don't have a local office and the door to door home security company rents us a house or pays for our hotels, so I don't have a lot of living expenses. Sweet!

Sometimes I pretend that I work for your current security company and I offer you a free upgrade. "I'm Alex with (Your Existing Security Company". People can be so gullible when they think they're getting something for free. I'm actually going to trick you into signing up with my door to door alarm company and you will be left paying two bills. Doesn't matter to me though - I'm only working with my door to door security company for the summer and you will never see me again.

My all time favorite approach is to make it sound like you are doing me a favor. "I'm Alex with (Door to Door Alarm Company). We're in town for a few days and we're doing a blitz and I would like your help. If you're willing to put a warning sign in a visible location it will create more awareness and help us generate more business. In exchange I can give you a free state-of-the-art security system worth $2000. All you have to do is take care of the small monthly fee of $49.95 a month." People love to help and they love free. I can't believe how many people get sucked in.

Sometimes I offer a two week free trial. This is legit, but most people don't know there is a CONSUMER PROTECTION law that allows any consumer signing a contract the right to cancel within 10 or 14 days. It's called a Buyers Right to Cancel and it's on every one of our contracts. The darn government forces us to do this!

I often tell people it's a month to month subscription, but in reality it's a 3 or 5 year contract. You're on the hook for nearly $3000 every time you sign up. However, most people trust me instead of reading through the contract. And for the people that question the 5 year term? Easy, I just tell them they can cancel anytime (even though they can't). The collections team at my head office will deal with it. Who's going to cancel if they're about to be sent to a collection agency? I won't be here anyways so not my problem.

HOW TO MAKE ME GO AWAY

About the only thing that works is to put up your hand and firmly say "NO". I'm going to try to prevent you from closing the door, but if you just keep saying "NO" eventually I will take you off my hit list. Sometimes you have to threaten to call the POLICE. How ironic is that - calling the POLICE on a home security company.

It's also frustrating to me when people share their stories on FaceBook and other social media sites. I spent a lot of time figuring out ways to deceive people and I don't like it when I'm exposed or people advertise what area I'm working in. One lady took out her phone and started recording me - no thanks.

*Alex isn't a real person. If you know an Alex please be kind to him.

For more information do yourself a favor and do a Google Search of "door to door alarm scam" and always get 3 quotes. Please share.

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