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Men in Black

DEREK FORD
Victoria Security Services and the problem with private police
By Jason Youmans

O n the streets of downtown Victoria, it’s hard to


miss Victoria Security Services. Whether it’s black-
uniformed, leather-gloved VSS guards marching
shoulder-to-shoulder with a mix of swaggering confidence
and authoritarian paranoia on their nightly Douglas Street
down there.”
The company certainly won’t be making a million bucks,
since its promotional material from 2008 indicates a daily
rate of $7.50 for 24-hour security, with a promised 15-plus
property checks per day.
patrol, or one of the team’s portly, more affable members According to Graff, his company’s mandate is to respond
catching his breath on a Government Street flower planter to “Everything from unwanted persons setting up against the
and counting the hours left in his shift on his cell-phone property, busking against properties, a lot of security-related
clock, chances are good that you’ve seen them. And that’s issues that are concerns with the properties—everything
been part of company boss Jason Graff ’s plan since day one. from theft to intoxicated persons, people urinating in
In the two years since announcing its presence as the city’s doorways, mischief, graffiti and other damage to proper-
self-styled “new age pro-active security service,” Victoria ties. Unfortunately, with the resources the police don’t have,
Security Services has fast earned a reputation for itself. Or that’s why we exist, because there is a lack of resources, and
more accurately, it has earned two reputations. the police aren’t able to do what they should be doing, in all
Some business owners who have hired VSS gush about honesty.”
the impact the outfit has had on their corner of the world. By some accounts, VSS has succeeded in its mission to
Robinson’s Outdoor Store owner Gayle Robinson, for exam- “move the problem off the block,” as stated in its sales pitch.
ple, has been the firm’s champion since its inception. Penny Glennie, assistant manager at the Fort Street Monk
“Within 24 hours of hiring Victoria Security Services, Office, effuses in a VSS letter of recommendation, “We have
Broad Street was given back to us,” writes Robinson in a seen a reduction in both shoplifters and panhandlers since
letter of recommendation posted to the VSS website, urging hiring Victoria Security Services. If you operate a business in
other downtown businesses to get on board. “We now have downtown Victoria, we highly recommend them.”
a street free of addicts and a 3-minute response time to any VSS has also found clients outside of businesses looking to
phone request . . . Jason Graff is an excellent business person, protect their investment. Victoria Electronic Music Festival
a highly respected and no-nonsense security expert as well as organizer Bruce Beil has used VSS for two years to keep an
an entrepreneur who has stepped up in the brink of time to eye on his annual Centennial Square shindig.
help downtown Victoria.” “I had laid out a plan for them, and laid out how I wanted
But glowing reviews like Robinson’s are being increasingly them to deal with particular situations and all of that, and
Second Slice Pizza is always a late-night hot spot, and
overshadowed by reports of the company’s employees com- was actually quite pleased. I can only think of one situa-
ing down hard on street kids, buskers and panhandlers in the tion where they had to take someone down physically and Victoria Security Services is contracted to maintain order
core, and of them playing police beyond the jurisdiction of I feel that they were justified in that,” he says. “They’re very
the businesses that pay them. Of the many private security good on my beer garden, which was a major liability issue. gentleman . . . and ever since then, they’ve been harassing me
companies hoping to capitalize on the perception of down- Obviously if something goes wrong, it’s me getting sued. So and I’ve pretty much had enough. They actually had to call
town decay, none courts controversy quite like VSS. in general, I am quite happy with the company.” the cops on me the last time to deal with me because I wasn’t
Stephen Gallard, a former Salvation Army shelter employ- Graff adds that the first-aid training his members possess going to listen to them and I was starting to get angry.”
ee with experience working in the security field, has gathered comes in handy when things get out of control downtown. Quinn McNulty is a busker who plays the late-night shift
plenty of tales about VSS, through first-hand observation “We’re first-responders in the sense that if somebody is laying outside of the Island Savings beside the Strathcona Hotel.
and stories from friends close to the street. on the ground bleeding, we’ve got that training to do some- McNulty says he’s had a number of hands-on encounters
“I used to think that Alarm Guard, who were around here thing, to ideally save a life if needed,” he says. “That actually with VSS at that location, as well as others, and that last time,
years ago, used to be an absolute collection of questionable happened on New Year’s Eve where there was a guy that had they knocked over his amplifier.
elements,” says Gallard. “But Victoria Security Services under been stabbed . . . right away we know what’s going on and “There’s an easy way and a hard way to do things, and
Jason Graff is the epitome of the poorest-run, most disorga- we’ve got our gear out and we’ve got the guy patched up so they always seem to take the hard way,” he says. “They are
nized group of people that have ever been running around that he’d not bleeding all over the place.” the only ones out there that are acting like the goon squad.
with a patch on their shoulder and some ill-perceived ideas That said, not all businesses appear quite so thrilled There is not another company that acts like they do.”
about their authorities.” with the approach VSS employs. A supervisor with Paladin McNulty wishes the VicPD would look deeper into Graff ’s
So far, positive reports from downtown clients appear to Security at the downtown Bay Centre told Monday that VSS operation.
supersede any concerns that government agencies might have guards are no longer allowed on the company’s property, “A lot of those cops don’t know about Jason and what his
about the firm that bills itself as “trained to arrest perpetrators owing to a window broken during a botched take-down. Bay scene is,” says McNulty. “They come on and they think,
and respond effectively to emergencies”—leaving open the Centre general manager Darlene Hollstein did not return ‘Great, a man in uniform.’ That’s all they see, and I say, ‘If I
question, who is watching these downtown watchdogs? Monday’s call by press time to confirm this claim. put a goddamn uniform on, would you show me the same
respect?’”
A man with a plan Words from the street But the cops don’t appear ready to jettison support for the
company just yet.
Victoria Security Services was hatched when Graff and a It’s folks who look a little rough around the edges that seem “They’ve been very helpful in regards to providing extra
friend sat down a little over two years ago to discuss what pri- to bear the brunt of Victoria Security Service’s “proactive” eyes and ears, and being able to provide information to us
vate security firms could offer clients beyond what was being take on the private security business. when there is a crime that happens, or witness information
provided by outfits like Paladin and the Commissionaires— John Lawrence, who panhandles downtown, had several or suspect information,” says VicPD spokesperson Sgt. Grant
how to “make it a more proactive element than a reactive run-ins with Graff while he was homeless. Hamilton. “They’ve actually assisted in arresting people too,
element,” in Graff’s words. As their regular pleas to City Hall “They chased me down to Government,” says Lawrence taking them into custody for assaults before we get there. So
suggest, many downtown merchants still feel under siege of one occasion. “I set up three times down on Government, they do provide a valuable service, and it’s important that we
from social issues in the core, ranging from drug dealing to just to have [Graff ] follow me around to each different spot keep a close relationship with them.”
post-bar buffoonery. telling me I’m not allowed to sit down there, I’m not allowed Those moments of glory, says former security guard
“We’re not looking to make a million bucks off of what to panhandle, apparently, below Cook and above Wharf, Stephen Gallard, must be fleeting.
we do,” says Graff. “It’s a stepping stone, and all my members because he thinks that’s all his jurisdiction.” “They pick on people that are at a disadvantage because
are looking for a future career in policing. So we look at that Lawrence says the guards pick targets then provoke them, he knows they can’t fight back,” says Gallard. “If they went
as kind of a primary thing, and second, we look to break inviting an aggressive reaction. after anyone that way who wasn’t a street person, they would
even and give something back to the community, which I “I’ve been dealing with them for about six months now,” be charged with stalking, assault, uttering threats and any
can say without a doubt that we have done in certain areas he says. “They found out that I’m friends with another number of those things.”

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Asked about allegations that his company to do stupid shit when they’re around a uni-
VSS Hits Home

DEREK FORD
bullies particular individuals, Graff replied, form presence, and it’s the absolute truth—
“All I’ve really got to say to that is that the especially when they’re looking at a uniform When Monday sent local
chances of them complaining because they’re that looks very similar to the police. It deters freelance photographer Derek
the people that we’re dealing with, and because a lot more than just having the typical black- Ford out to snap some pictures
they’re maybe doing something wrong, might trouser, white-shirt security guard standing of VSS guards in action late
be the largest factor in that.” there.” on a Thursday night, we didn’t
Could be, but their complaints aren’t the In addition to police problems with the anticipate that he would become
only issues dogging the company. uniform, VSS has also been disciplined by the a character in our story. Nor did
security industry and licensing division. In Ford expect to discover the truth
Bending and breaking November 2009, Graff was slapped with two
fines under Section 20 of the Security Services
behind rumours about the VSS
brand of diplomacy. 30 seconds before Derek Ford meets
While the City, local police and the prov- Act for “Business employ or engage unlicensed Ford had shot several photos— Victoria Security Services
ince’s Security Industry and Licensing division individual,” for a total bill of $1,150. careful to obscure the face—of
appear to tacitly condone Victoria Security Graff claims the fines were issued because of a VSS guard in front of Second
Service’s methods, that doesn’t mean the com- an administrative error on his part. Two train- Slice Pizza when he decided to turn
pany has escaped scrutiny by the authorities. ees, he says, allowed their 90-day probation- his lens on Jason Graff and another VSS guard exiting the Douglas Street McDonald’s—
Soon after VSS was formed, the Victoria ary licenses to lapse, and when the Security where VSS operates what Graff calls a “business-use facility” on the second floor—and
police called Graff in for a meeting to demand Industry and Licensing Branch reviewed its climbing into their company car. Graff then got out of the vehicle and approached Ford to
changes to the VSS uniform, lest the gen- records it found them to be working the ask why he was taking pictures of his employees. Ford withheld his affiliation with Monday
eral public mistake them for a government street, but out of compliance. as Graff explained that he didn’t want Ford taking photos there, citing the “safety and secu-
agency. “They were going through our records and rity risk to the staff members at our client location.”
“We had patches that had Victoria Security they came across that, and we admitted it and Ford, meanwhile, tried to explain that he was on public land, could point his lens where
Services, but it had Victoria written across the we got dinged for it, which is understandable, he pleased and then tried to leave the scene.
top of the crest, and we ended up changing because we were in the wrong,” says Graff. “I proceeded to try to go up the street and he stood in my way,” says Ford. “I said, ‘You
our logos to a circular logo,” says Graff. The “But since that time we’ve certainly stepped know, I’d like to go past you,’ and he said, ‘Fine, you can go past me,’ and again he stood
originals, one would presume, might consti- up our hiring process and double-checked our in my way and made a comment like, ‘Stop taking our photographs or I’ll grab your camera
tute a violation of Security Services Act regu- records to make sure that these guys do have and delete the pictures myself,’ and I said ‘No, you’re not going to do that.’ Then he said
lation 12 (3) which states, “A security worker licenses and get copies and document that all he’d call the police and have them sort it out and I said, ‘By all means, please do.’
licensee must not, while engaged in security and have that all.” As Graff turned to leave, Ford says he continued snapping photos, and that’s when
work . . . wear a uniform that resembles a However, a former VSS employee, who things went haywire.
uniform used by police officers.” cannot be named due to an ongoing wage “He came up to me and put a choke-hold on me,” says Ford. “A little bit of a struggle
Apparently the VicPD would also prefer dispute with the company, says using unli- ensued, and a few other people got involved, saying ‘Hey what are you doing to this guy?’
that Graff’s employees retire their entirely censed guards was par for the course during I attempted to take some photographs while he was choke-holding me, his associate
black uniforms, but on that demand, Graff is his time there. knocked my hat off, Jason released me, pushed me forward . . . his associate spat gum at
holding firm. “[VicPD] requested we change “Very few employees, aside from me, were my head. I turned around and started taking photos and his associate put his hand over the
it, but it’s a cost thing and we can’t really licensed,” he says. “Jason was very well aware lens and said ‘Take a photo of that,’ swore at me . . . and then they drove off.”
afford to change our uniform colour,” he says. and indeed did hire unlicensed employ- Jason Graff remembers the last part of the story a little differently.
“And with the governing agency, they said ‘We ees promising to get them their probation “I didn’t put him in a choke,” he says. “I pushed him away because he got right in my
approved you for your uniforms, and we stand license. He never did, and then, when he felt face. I was holding his shoulder guiding him away because he kept coming towards me.
beside you guys.’” he had used them up, he would fire them and He’s invading my personal space, so I have the right to defend myself. It’s a simple fact.”
Besides, says Graff, adopting a paramilitary rehire new employees and repeat the process.” But why, Monday asked Graff, should it matter if someone takes their picture while
appearance is part of carrying out their job And then there is the matter of the Victoria they’re out on patrol?
effectively. Security Service’s patrol car, which, as recently “Our job is a very dangerous job to say the least, and when we question our safety,
“The idea there is that if you’re walking as January 15, was photographed without any there’s an issue there and the cops will back us up on that side,” he says. “That definitely
down the street, and for instance someone is of the markings required under Section 10 trespasses into our safety side of it, personally.”
up to no good and they’re tagging a property, (4) of the SSA, and features a push bumper, But in a line of work where “observe and report,” has always been the name of
or thinking of committing a crime, they see which police typically use to nudge fleeing the game, the job is only as dangerous as Graff and his colleagues try to make it.
that uniform presence and it deters them vehicles off the road.
right there,” says Graff. “People don’t want Graff says the company had the registrar’s — J.Y.

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permission to use a ghost car, but now chooses not


to. “We used to, and then there was an issue with Know your Rights
this, so now we just use marked patrol vehicles.” A short guide to dealing with security guards
The Security Industry and Licensing division
is well apprised of VSS’ operations through com- As more and more businesses enlist private firms
plaints submitted by members of the public and like Victoria Security Services, it is important for the
obtained by Monday through a freedom of infor- public to know the limitations of powers possessed by
mation request. Among the complaints on file with guards under provincial government regulations.
the licensing body is one from June 15 that reads As the phenomenon grew in Vancouver in recent
in part, “ . . . all the rules he has broken, includ- years, the BC Human Rights Coalition published
ing unlicensed and untrained guards, using cuffs, Security and You, a guide to “interacting with security
patrolling in an unmarked vehicle, and enforcing guards that patrol property.” According to that docu-
laws off property he has jurisdiction over.” ment, the public has the following rights with respect
Another complaint filed July 15, 2009 reads in to private security:
part, “I [name redacted] am filing a formal com- • To be judged by their actions, not their appear-
plaint in regards to Victoria Security Services (Jason ance;
Graft) for unproper and unjustified questioning. I • To ask why they are being banned from property;
was moving freely down the street and was stopped • To see a licensed guards ID and license;
by Victoria Security Services and asked to provide • To know why they are being detained or arrested;
my name for what seemed to be no reason. I will • To keep silent and speak with a lawyer if detained
be filing a civil court case in regards to this matter or arrested;
as well.” • To report a guard that abuses them, swears at
A separate complaint also filed on July 15, 2009, them, or violates their rights.
reads, “He routinely pours people’s alcohol out who In addition, here’s a few more helpful hints to
are drinking in public, not on properties he has remember if you find yourself dealing with private
been hired to perform security for, performs ‘arrests’ security:
at places that have not hired his company to provide • Security guards, whether licensed or not, have
security, orders people to leave locations he has no no authority to enforce the Safe Streets Act. This law
right to enforce anything on, and by and large they prohibits panhandling when it causes people to fear
listen to him because they don’t know any better or for their safety and it prohibits panhandling in certain
don’t want any trouble.” ‘captive audience locations.’
Confiscating open liquor, if indeed that is part • Guards have no authority to tell people to move
of VSS’s activities, doesn’t fly with the local cops. along when on public property and they have no
According to the VicPD’s Lori Beauvais, “Drinking authority to issue tickets in relation to panhandling.
in public is not a crime. It is an offence, which is Only police can enforce this law.
something found in provincial legislation. If they • Guards cannot hold someone against his/her will
see someone drinking in a public space, unless they unless the person is under arrest.
are committing mischief, and there are a whole lot • If a guard suspects that a crime was committed
of parameters with that, and unless they’re able to and wants to ask questions, they have no power to
articulate that what they’re seeing in front of them is keep the person on the premises.
indeed elements of the offence of mischief, they do • A guard can ask a person to leave property and
not have the provision to confiscate or arrest if they they can ban someone from property if rules are bro-
see it happening.” ken. When doing so, guards should be professional
Another provincial ministry with its eye on VSS and indicate which rule is being broken.
is the ministry of employment standards, which — J.Y.
told Monday there have been several wage com-
plaints filed against the company in its short life. ✃
Those payroll problems were one of the reasons the company’s guards make it a point to rove widely
the Strathcona Hotel severed its contract with VSS, on their “free community patrols.” But amid tur-
according to Strathcona co-owner Grant Olson. bulent economic times and a slow government
“They were having some problems paying their response finding the root of growing social distress,
staff, and so that becomes a little bit of a problem businesses can’t be blamed for wanting to put a
because we’re obliged to follow any garnishee order,” pleasant face on their slice of the downtown core. In
says Olson. “I didn’t know if it was going to contin- celebrating Victoria Security Service’s perceived effi-
ue on that way, so we just decided to part ways.” ciency at “giving the street back to the businesses,”
The company’s trouble paying workers may be however, it appears accountability is being pushed
one reason that VSS presently employs only four out with the panhandlers. M
guards. A full team, says Graff, is ten.
Currently it’s difficult to gauge how many busi- — Special thanks to Attila Szabo for extensive
nesses actually pay Victoria Security Services, since research assistance compiling this story

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