When I was teenager growing up on Whalley my friends and I would walk down to Gateway or Surrey Central to head downtown and we’d be kind of scared of Broadway or Granville Stations – although it just ultimately proved how daring we were to venture to such places so far from home.
As an adult I’ve feared for my safety a few times on transit and I’m lucky enough to have never witnessed any major altercations. I ride buses almost every day, and SkyTrain about 5 times a month. I know there are some major issues here but I’d like to review the many sides of each discussion.
Earlier this month it was announced that Translink would be beefing up SkyTrain security with the use of drug-sniffing dogs at stations and on trains.
Under the program, specially trained police officers will patrol the SkyTrain line with dogs. If the program is deemed a success, the Transit Police Service could then develop its own dog squad, according to Doug Kelsey, CEO of the B.C. Rapid Transit Company, which operates the SkyTrain for the regional transit authority. [CBC]
Some are very pleased with this initiative although over on The Buzzer blog (the Buzzer being the official Translink publication) there’s quite the discussion going.
According to The Buzzer this is all a part of a much larger security plan that would include:
Security personnel will be more visible at stations where transit customers feel the least secure
New Transit Police bike patrols
SkyWatch: customers report crime via text-messages
Continued drug sweeps in partnership with police forces along the SkyTrain line
The creation of “transit villages†around Surrey Central and Broadway Station
Broadway Station safety and security upgrades
Continuing to expand retail presence at SkyTrain stations to provide more “eyes and ears†at more times of the day
Testing public acceptance of the use of police dogs on the SkyTrain system
Transit Police Dogs
Completion of lighting upgrades at the Expo Line stations
Testing facility improvements that will make emergency telephones and other security systems easier to locate, particularly on station platforms
Karen, who ran the SkyTrain Security Unconference in Surrey a few months ago left the following comments.
Re: “Our work is not impeded by not having dogs, but we may be able to do more with one or two specifically trained dogs. We would not be roaming the system sniffing people for drugs. We “MAY†want to sniff for explosives though.”
Karen: “I’m sure this is comforting to hear, for those of us travelling with small children or who are concerned about those with allergies to dogs. It does beg my next question: is the need urgent or pressing enough so that TransLink needs to invest in having these resources available in-house, rather than collaborating to make use of existing law enforcement resources? I can see that in a pinch it might be time wasted to secure an RCMP resource.”
Re: “Again, thinking of safety and security, what would the public response be if some sort of attack took place against the system, and we had not done all we could to prevent or detect that attack.”
Karen: “In my opinion, statements like this do nothing to support the cause of helping the public accept initiatives like police dogs. We can speculate far and wide on all sorts of things that might happen due to some hazily-defined enemy, and there is certainly no doubt that security and safety are certainly important, but must our everyday peace of mind be continually asked to take a back seat?”
What do you think are the most effective security measures? Do we need a police or security presence at all stations or just the ones with the most problems?
The CES (Consumer Electronic Show) is the world’s largest consumer technology trade show and it happens every year in Las Vegas. As a part of CES there will be some love for new media during the Social Media Jungle, organized by Jeff Pulver, and I have been invited as a speaker.
The Social Media Jungle at the 2009 International CES brings to light how the advent of social media is changing the way we work and live. Sessions include state-of-the-industry updates and a candid look at how social media disrupts the workplace by empowering companies to lower burn rates. Plus, learn how companies can motivate consumers through social media to drive product sales without increasing costs. [Jeff Pulver]
January 7, 2009 @ The Venetian in Las Vegas Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
It truly is the season of giving and I’ve been getting emails left and right about various campaigns that I am happy to promote. Here’s a quick round up of those supporting the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society.
Blue Olive Photography is participating in Cans for Comments. Until December 12th, they’ll donate a can of food to the Food Bank for every comment left on their blog.
It’s the 21st Annual Santa Fox Food Drive all this week at the Superstore on Grandview Hwy.
Admission to the Best of 604 on Thursday, December 11th is by monetary donation to the Food Bank. Donations can be of any value, each attendee will receive a raffle ticket for prizes, and envelopes will be available in case you would like a tax receipt for your contribution. We’re not just celebrating the best of the web in Vancouver, let’s celebrate being able to support such a worthy cause as well.
20% of Sheila Christie‘s custom card and jewelry sales in November and December 2008 will be donated to the Food Bank.
On December 17th, Cobre Restaurant in Gastown is giving 100% of its sales to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society.
The mega Meetup on December 17th will be accepting non-perishable food item donations for the Food Bank.
Friday December 19th is Food Bank Friday at CityTV during Breakfast Television (from 6:00am until 10:00am)
The Surrey Food Bank has been broken into numerous times over the last few days. They are not a part of the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society so they handle their own donations and food supplies. They are in desperate need of some help at this time. The Surrey Food Bank helps 14,000-50,000 people each month and 45% of their clients are children and babies.
If you have a food drive happening over the next few weeks, please leave a note in the comments below.
Following a heartbreaking story last week that saw a devastating break-in at the Salvation Army downtown, Vancouver radio stations are banding together Tuesday December 9th for Toys for Teens Day.
For the first time in history, every radio station in Vancouver has joined forces to help refill that warehouse.
103.5 QM/FM is proud to take part in The Salvation Army Toys For Teens Day Tuesday December 9th. Show your support by dropping off a new unwrapped toy for a teen or make a cash donation at the QM/FM Studios (380 West 2nd). [QM/FM]
Various radio stations from Corus (730, 980, 99.3, 101, 1) to CHUM (1410, 1040, 103.5, 94.5), Rogers (1130, 96.9, 104.9) and more are opening their doors on Tuesday for this toy drive and you can find other donation locations from 6:00am until 6:00pm.
– Salvation Army at 128 Cordova Street East
– Vancouver Visions Electronics at 8062 King George Highway in Surrey
– Real Canadian Superstore on Grandview Highway at Rupert Street in Vancouver
– JACK FM will also be collecting at Metropolis at Metrotown (on the main floor under the Food Court) in Burnaby [News1130]
“While this theft was a very unfortunate incident for the Salvation Army, sometimes it takes a bad deed to incite incredible generosity within our community. We couldn’t be happier to hear that Vancouver Radio has united behind this one cause. We’re sure now that we will double the amount stolen just because of this initiative†said the Salvation Army’s Major Brian Venables. [Talk1410am]
You can tune in or check out the websites of your favourite stations that day for more donation locations and information.
With gift-giving season in full swing I have been given a few items to try out and review on my site. I have not been paid for these reviews, I have simply been given the items for review to share with my readers.
A while back I wrote a blog post about laptop bags and the options out there for women who would like to have something comfortable, durable, and yet still stylish. Shortly after I was contacted by the folks at MySweetcover. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
