In the heart of Vancouver, a shopping center not only accommodates throngs of daily visitors but has also opened its arms as a sanctuary to those with nowhere else to turn. As the city grapples with a persistent homelessness crisis, the security team at Cadillac Fairview’s CF Pacific Centre has embarked on a compassionate mission to assist the homeless community by allowing them overnight stays and access to facilities.
Brent Findley, senior manager of security, life and safety at the mall, explained that the notion of simply ushering away those seeking refuge on the property has transformed. “It’s completely flipped around now. We’re approaching it with the idea of trying to help them,” he said, delineating a marked shift from past practices to a more humanitarian approach. A downtown mall and eight office and mixed-use towers above it that together attract around 55,000 people per day, making it a hub of safety and warmth for the city’s unsheltered.
Amidst the backdrop of Vancouver’s strategy to end street homelessness by 2021, CF Pacific Centre has stepped in with an innovative approach. While the city counted 659 residents on the streets last year, the mall’s night-shift employees are trained in life safety checks, first aid, and mental health, ensuring those who stay overnight are well cared for. The size and location of the mall, paired with the security and cameras present, offer a semblance of protection to those in need.
The security staff at CF Pacific Centre, a 55-person team, is equipped with the skills to handle potentially volatile situations with empathy. Staff members receive high levels of first aid and mental health training and learn de-escalation techniques through use-of-force training, with an annual recertification requirement. “We’re always the first responders because it’s on our property,” Findley stated, emphasizing the proactive stance the mall’s security team takes in addressing the issue.
Chad Kalyk, executive vice-president of Paladin Security, which protects over 10 million square feet of space in downtown Vancouver, echoes this sentiment of evolving practices, emphasizing the need for mental health awareness training and compassionate client services.
Relevant articles:
– TIL A downtown Vancouver mall invites individuals with nowhere to go to sleep on the property overnight overnight and use its facilities when it opens its doors early in the morning. Night-shift employees conduct life safety checks, with first aid and mental health training
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