Welcome to Canada's foremost website on Home Security

Does your property management company understand Condominium Security? You better hope so, or it'll cost you lots in the long run.

Does your property management company understand Condominium Security? You better hope so, or it'll cost you lots in the long run.

Many management companies are unqualified to handle building security issues. Don't allow your condominium to become a burglars target because your property representative is ill informed about good building safety.

Is your property manager lackadaisical when it comes to security? One of the most important roles of a property manager is maintaining your safety and security. When was the last time he or she walked through your condominium looking for deficie

A good property manager will set up regular inspections to spot and repair security inadequacies, such as broken locks, burned out lights and malfunctioning door closers. Meeting with council representatives and informing them of security deficiencies is paramount in maintaining good building security.

If a lock is compromised during a break and enter, what action will your property representative take? Will they replace or upgrade the locking system? A clued in property manager will upgrade the damaged lock. There's no sense in replacing a lock that's been easily defeated.

There also needs to be an emphasis on "pro-activeness" from your management professional. Too many property managers pass the buck when it comes to building security. They strictly call a locksmith for a band aid solution to a serious problem just to stay within the building's budget. A savvy property manager will make it their business to find out how or why a thief broke into the building and take the necessary steps to prevent this from happening in the future.

Often a property manager will inherit a poorly maintained building where security was the last item on the improvement list. In these cases building representatives needs to meet with the owners to discuss the necessary upgrades in order to qualify their building as safe again.

Don't let painting and carpeting take precedence over poor building security. A strong property manager will work with existing budgets and assure each and every item on the agenda will be addressed on a priority basis.

I realize there are instances where building security can be a hard sell, especially if the building is occupied by several owners who consider home security a low priority. I'm aware there are owners who would rather boast visual improvements than flawless security reports.

But a good property manager can juggle both with great success. This is often done by breaking the building security into three or four stages making it more affordable on tight budgets. The first stage is often perimeter security with internal security getting the nod at a later date.

Whether providing guard service or lock replacement the property manager needs to be hands on when selecting a security professional. Careful choosing will involve not only a phone call but a follow up visit to the building to assure the work was executed properly.

An elite property manager will gain security knowledge from their security provider. This information is vital if the management company is going to make proper decisions on your building's behalf. Some of the things a keen property manager will check out are deficiencies in corridor doors like poor deadlocking bolts combined with improper installations and inferior door reinforcement with missing door viewers.

Balcony doors should to be checked as well. Many break-ins happen above the first floor so these doors need to be equipped with deadbolts. Balconies should also be checked for items that grab a burglar's attention like bicycles.

Has your property management company "signed" your building properly? Reminder signs around the building help keep owners in check. For instance all entrance doors to your condominium should have signs that read "no key.no entry".

And when was the last time your property management company reviewed your bylaws. Perhaps it's time to rewrite the laws of the building so the council can enforce the building's security laws. Laws like honouring that "stop and watch" area as your vehicle enters the parkade or preventing the obliging owner from letting every Tom, Dick and Harry into your home.

People ask me all the time, "How did you get into Home Security?" I strongly believe I was affected by a life altering incident that happened to our family many years ago.

People ask me all the time, "How did you get into Home Security?" I strongly believe I was affected by a life altering incident that happened to our family many years ago.

When I was a youngster, I experienced a devastating break-in to our family home. We had just moved into a new neighborhood about four blocks from our previous home. I was 8 years old at the time and have never forgotten the event that took place.

My mother had taken my sister and I to the old neighborhood to visit a close friend. My father was attending an evening work related course so we ended up staying for dinner. It wasn't long after darkness fell we decided to take the trek home. I can still remember the chill in the air as we walked back to our new house.

The conversation that transpired between my mother, sister and it's still clear after all these years. Discussion led to my mother's concern that she didn't pull the drapes or leave any lights on. After all why would she? She wasn't planning on staying for dinner and certainly didn't plan on coming home in the dark.

As we rounded the corner of our neighborhood and set sights on our new home, we noticed the lights were on in the bedroom and the curtains were drawn. At this point there was no cause for alarm because we assumed my father had come home early.

But when we went around to the back of the house, for some reason my mother decided to ring the doorbell. It's a good thing she did, because all of a sudden my bedroom window opened and a dark figure jumped out and scaled our fence. The burglar tripped over a roll of chicken wire that was laying in the neighbors yard. I can still hear the thief groaning as he hit the ground. He then picked himself up and disappeared into the darkness.

I'm thankful to this day my mother had the presence of mind not to enter the house before alerting our new neighbor and calling the police. I'll never forget the terrifying feeling as we walked through the back door with the attending police officer. We immediately spotted drawers pulled out and some were dropped on the floor. Every cupboard door was open. There were burnt matches all over the floor. Obviously the burglar lit his way through the home until he got brave enough to turn the lights on.

I remember every window was unlatched, presumably in case the creep needed a quick get-away. My parent's room was ripped apart. Even the bed was attacked leaving the mattress and bedding thrown to the floor. Clothes were everywhere, half hanging off the dresser drawers and strewn all over the floor. All their jewellery was gone, including my mother's precious family heirlooms.

My sister's room was in shambles with remnants of her piggy bank on the floor minus the money. My bedroom was for the most part untouched. Possibly the crook didn't have enough time for the raid or may even got interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell. But the scariest part for me was the fact he jumped out my bedroom window when he made his escape. As a young child it took me months before I felt safe in our new home.

So how did the bad guy get into our home? He entered through a window that was left open.The house was an invitation to a burglar, sitting in the dark with an unsecured window. It's obvious the intruder checked all the doors and windows before making his entrance.

As you can tell, many years later the image of the break-in is still strongly embedded in my mind. The impact of a break and enter can have a devastating effect on a young child. As a matter of fact I still occasionally catch myself ringing the doorbell before I slide the key into the lock.

The message is clear, lock all your windows and doors. The last thing you want is a child to experience the devastation of a home break-in". And please remember every child has the right to feel safe and secure in their own home.

It's a terrible feeling! You've had your wallet or purse stolen! If this has ever happened to you, I don't need to explain the gut wrenching feeling associated with the shock of this crime. Your identification is now in the hands of a total stranger.

It's a terrible feeling! You've had your wallet or purse stolen! If this has ever happened to you, I don't need to explain the gut wrenching feeling associated with the shock of this crime. Your identification is now in the hands of a total stranger.

This very scenario happened to a client of mine a few days ago. It was a routine visit to the local gym where the crime occurred. He changed into his workout clothes, hung his work clothes in his secured locker and hit the weights.

After 2 hours he returned to his locker and noticed his combination padlock was missing. And so were his wallet and keys. His immediate concern was his wife's safety because she was home alone. He searched for his cell phone to no avail and settled on a facility land phone where he reported the incident to his spouse.

After sweating about the missing identification, my client had the worst thought of all. Was his vehicle still in the parking lot? Fortunately for him it was, but he did have to tow the vehicle home because the crooks had his only key to the steering wheel lock.

So let's look at the risks to the victim in this type of crime. First of all, my client's wife was at risk because she was home alone. And even if she was away, their house was in jeopardy of an illegal entry with the homeowner's keys.

The vehicle was at risk of being stolen. His credit was at risk of being compromised. His passport was missing. His driver's license was gone. His birth certificate which he carried in his wallet was toast. All his company identification was taken as well. His health card was no more and his social insurance card was history.

These poor folks said the hardest thing was to think of all the calls they had to make to report the crime. So I decided to make a prioritized top ten list should an unfortunate event like this happen to you.

1) Contact your bank or financial institution and report any missing bank or credit cards.

2) Contact the local police and report your stolen wallet or purse, just in case it happens to get turned in. This call should be made to your local policing non-emergency number.

3) If you possess any other credit cards, phone all the companies involved and have their cards cancelled.

4) Re-key the locks in your home and don't forget to change all existing overhead garage door remote controls

5) Replace your driver's license. Usually a temporary replacement driver's license can be issued on the spot. Contact your provincial or territorial ministry responsible for transportation for more information.

6) Replace your birth certificate. Keep in mind you will have to show identification. A driver's license is an acceptable form of identification. Check your provincial or territorial ministry website for more information.

7) Replace your citizenship certificate. You will need two pieces of identification when applying for a citizenship certificate. The application kit will provide the necessary details on what identification is acceptable. You may find more information on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada web site.

8) Replace your medical or health cards. Two or more pieces of personal identification may be required to apply for your replacement health insurance card. A driver's license and birth certificate are acceptable in most provinces and territories. You may contact the provincial or territorial government department responsible for health for more information.

9) Replace your passport. This needs to be reported to the local police immediately. You should then contact Passport Canada to report the circumstances of the loss. You may replace your passport at any Canadian Government Office. Keep in mind because of the seriousness of a stolen passport, Canadian authorities will conduct an investigation so expect delays in processing the replacement passport.

10) Replace your Social Insurance Number (SIN) card. Identity thieves love to get their hands on SIN cards. You need to report this theft to the appropriate authorities. You will be asked to provide a primary document that proves your identity and status in Canada.

Always photocopy your important documents and keep them in a safe place. Having photocopies available will speed up the replacement process and take stress and burden off your shoulders during a difficult time.

So you posted a few pictures of yourself on the web. Not a big deal, right? Well not exactly. Did you know when you upload photos for display on the internet you are sending confidential information about yourself to complete strangers?

So you posted a few pictures of yourself on the web. Not a big deal, right? Well not exactly. Did you know when you upload photos for display on the internet you are sending confidential information about yourself to complete strangers?

Information like where you live, where you spend most of your time as well as when you are away from home. It all boils down to something called "Geotagging or Geo Tagging". Although this sounds like something from a science fiction movie, I can assure you this is serious business.

So what is "Geo Tagging?". This process involves adding geographical identification "metadata" to various media such as photographs, video, websites and RSS feeds. To simplify Geo Tagging is the equivalent of adding a 10 digit grid coordinate to everything you post on the internet.

It's mind boggling to think that "Geo Tagging" can supply the bad guys with personal information about your living habits. This is done by identifying the location of a given picture and pinpointing it's exact location. The position is usually derived from the global positioning system which is based on a longitude and latitude coordinate.

It can also be used to decipher altitude, bearing, distance, accuracy data and place numbers. Photographs are the most common security risk associated with "Geo Tagging". The way it works is when the photo is taken, the image captures GPS information. Once this happens the photo is immediately attached to a map. Keep in mind the user must own a camera with a built in GPS or a standalone GPS along with a digital camera.

Many phones have geotags automatically embedded in their pictures. Smart phones are a good example. The scary part of this is many people are unaware of the fact that the photos they take and upload to the internet are geotagged. Photos posted to photo sharing sites like Flicker and Picasa can also be tagged with location, but it's not an automatic function.

The location of the photo is usually derived from the global positioning system which is based on a longitude and latitude coordinate. It can also be used to decipher altitude, bearing, distance, accuracy data and place numbers.

With photos that are stored in JPEG file format, the geo tag information is typically embedded in the metadata stored in Exchangeable Image File Format (EXIF) or Extensible Metadata Platform (XMP). Of course this data is not visible in the picture itself but can be read by special programs and most digital cameras and modern scanners.

Cell phone photographs are also susceptible to "Geo Tagging". Many utilize a GPS chip along with built-in cameras to allow users to automatically geotag photos. So let's give a synopsis of what could happen with a photo embedded with a geo tag.

If you take a picture of your vehicle outside your home and post it on twitter for example, the image could contain metadata which would have revealed the exact geographical location the photo was taken, the vehicle and when you left your home.

Geo Tagging is not a new phenomenon. Photos have used geotagging for quite some time. Certain formats allow for geographical information to be embedded within the image and then read by picture viewers. This shows the exact location where a picture was taken. Although most digital cameras do not automatically add Geo location Metadata to pictures, camera owners should study their camera's manual and understand how to turn off GPS functions.

With the growing popularity in social networking today people need to be aware of this breach of privacy. There are certain situations in which exposing specific geographical location can be devastating. Since most smart phones automatically display this information, it takes little more effort on the user's part to protect their privacy.

Let's face it, with advancements in today's technology, enhanced GPS capabilities and smart phones with GPS, privacy and security aren't what they used to be.

"We've added every security enhancement available and the creeps still got in! I'm stumped how did they do it? There are absolutely no signs of forcible entry!".

"We've added every security enhancement available and the creeps still got in! I'm stumped how did they do it? There are absolutely no signs of forcible entry!".

Those were the exact words of a distraught homeowner after a break-in to his condominium's secured resident parking area. The frustrated homeowner ranted, "We secured the perimeter of this building like Fort Knox. There's no way anybody could have defeated our barriers! We have spent thousands of dollars fortifying every possible access area into this building!"

The homeowner was correct, the owners of the building had spent lots of money securing their building. Yes they secured the front and back as well as side entrances. They installed good lighting in all areas of possible congregation.

They had spent a considerable amount maintaining their landscaping. Their natural surveillance abilities were maxed out with well trimmed trees that allowed maximum illumination from street lights and walkways that afforded plain views of people entering the property.

These owners' did an excellent job of securing their building with one fault. They failed to understand the single most important facet of Home Security. Something I refer to as the, "Leaky Roof Syndrome". If you don't seal each and every hole in a roof, water will migrate until it finds a way in.

Burglars work on the same principle. Once the owners' of the condominium secured the perimeter doors, opened up the sight lines and added additional lighting, the burglars migrated. They attacked the only hole in the buildings security, the overhead garage door which led to the parkade.

It was there they found an obvious flaw in the building's security. The beam which monitors the path of the gate and can stop the gate dead in it's tracks was compromised. It's no secret this safety feature can be a security hazard if not protected from the bad guys.

The sensors should never be accessible from the outside of the building". Here's why. A crook could reach in from the outside and place a cloth or tape over one of the beams, and wait for a car to enter the parkade.

Once the car has entered the parkade through the overhead door, the door will not close because the cloth or tape is blocking the beam. And the burglar is banking on the fact the owner will not stop and wait for the overhead garage door.

This is why this area is flagged a 'Stop and Watch" area. It's not only because a burglar might sneak in behind a vehicle, it's because the overhead parkade door may not descend. It's up to the person entering or exiting the condominium parking area to assure the door has completely descended before proceeding in their vehicle.

But we all know the building is only as secure as it's weakest owner. So outside of hiring a 24 hour guard to monitor the overhead door, what's a building to do to prevent this type of violation from happening? Since it's obvious this particular violation was a culmination of an owner's negligence and a crooked opportunity the answer is simple. Block off any access to the beams from the outside of the overhead door.

One of the best ways to seal off this area is to apply a polycarbonate like "Lexan" to the overhead garage door in the area that allows accessibility to the electric beams. Make sure you block off any area whether above, below or beside the beam that would give a potential thief access to the sensor. And before you install any Lexan to the door check with your garage door company and make sure the weight of the Lexan won't affect the operation of the overhead door.

Some gate motors have a special alarm feature that detects an idle gate. The beams adopt an intruder detection function. If the beams are blocked for a preconfigured length of time, they will trigger the alarm. Check with your local overhead garage door provider and ask for a "garage door open" indicator to be added to your unit. Most garage door companies can retrofit an "open indicator" whether in the form of a light or audible device.

ew Condominium Buildings are often hit hard by burglars. So what makes new construction so appealing to the "bad guys?" The answer is quite simple, "easy access". Many condominium builders today are missing crucial vulnerabilities in building security.

New Condominium Buildings are often hit hard by burglars. So what makes new construction so appealing to the "bad guys?" The answer is quite simple, "easy access". Many condominium builders today are missing crucial vulnerabilities in building security.

In all fairness the blame needs to be shared with city architects and engineers. Cities need to meet with security professionals to upgrade minimal security requirements in their building codes. These upgrades would take a huge bite out of crime for condominium owners.

So why aren't the building codes reviewed and updated more often? After all the main purpose of building codes are to protect public health, safety and general welfare as they relate to construction and occupancy of buildings and structures.

What better way to protect the public than to recognize and implement positive change to the building laws? So why don't cities make the necessary changes to the security building requirements? How hard is it to review a few proposed common sense changes to the building codes?

Changes would harden up the targeted common areas around the exterior and interior of buildings. Grade one locking hardware combined with superior door closers would be a great starting point. Or perhaps the elimination of keys and unnecessary hardware on exterior doors would provide tougher barriers.

All too often new condominium purchasers get stuck holding the bag with the cost of security upgrades. In all likelihood builders will wait for the city to make the first move before tightening up the ship. So how does a new homeowner protect themselves in the meantime?

My recommendation to new condominium buyers is to form a council as soon as possible. This starts with the first annual general meeting (AGM) which usually takes place within the first year of registration of the strata plan or when the building ownership is over 51%.

Once the members of the council have been elected, proper documentation in the form of " minutes" by council will be available to existing and potential new home buyers. Each and every violation should be documented in the minutes.

The minutes will act as a catalyst for improvements to condominium security by allowing potential new home buyers to hone in on the buildings security deficiencies before placing ink to paper. The minutes are often the window needed to project a clear snapshot of how many violations the building has experienced over a period of time.

Obviously the more break and enters, the weaker the security. This knowledge gives the new purchasers the upper hand when negotiating "security improvements" with the builder. The builder will then be forced to improve the security of the building if he or she wants to sell the remaining apartments.

And if you are at the preliminary stages of forming your building's council, make sure to take the time to review the building's bylaws. Clamp down on sloppy residents by incorporating fines for security risks like not waiting for the parking gate to close or neglecting to assure the exterior doors are secured when entering and exiting the building.

These residents place building security low on the priority list. I'm referring to irresponsible residents who keep their overhead gate openers on their car visors. Keep in mind doing periodic security checks of residential vehicles in your building is important. Looking for loose change, CDs, and laptops in vehicles could stop the building from being branded, "a treasure hunt".

Or how about the obliging owner who will let anybody in the building with a push of a button? Pizza delivery men, confused visitors, phony police officers, bogus trade persons. These "trigger happy" residents are putting the rest of the owners at risk of a violation.

Once your building has been marked as an easy mark, you will continually be targeted. Owners need to be vigilant about their home security, looking for weaknesses in the building. If not, their new Condominium could be tainted as an easy mark and chances are it will be under fire until the necessary improvements are made.

Alarm monitoring is an essential component of an effective alarm system. When your alarm system is triggered, a signal is sent to the Central Monitoring Station within seconds.

Alarm monitoring is an essential component of an effective alarm system. When your alarm system is triggered, a signal is sent to the Central Monitoring Station within seconds. The monitoring station will call your premise, confirm the alarm and verify your password.

If there is no answer or the wrong password is given, the monitoring representative will notify the police or proper emergency personnel. After that, the monitoring company will usually call one of the key holders you provided when the alarm was initially installed.

In addition to added safety and peace of mind, monitoring can also reduce your home insurance premiums by up to 20%. But here's the kicker, the monitoring company must be ULC certified in order to get the maximum insurance discounts. Many consumers choose to have their home alarm system monitored without even knowing whether the monitoring station is ULC certified or not.

Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) is an independent product safety testing, certification and inspection organization. They have tested products for public safety for 90 years and are accredited by the Standards Council of Canada.

So what are the main differences between monitoring stations that are ULC certified and those that are not? First of all in order for a monitoring company to qualify for ULC certification they must agree to ongoing onsite inspections of their monitoring stations. The two main concerns of the ULC inspectors are the extent of physical protection and the communication signal from the residence to the monitoring station. During these inspections many facets of the facility are evaluated for ULC compliance. For example the monitoring equipment is inspected as is the general location and security of the building. For instance the room that supplies power to the station must have the proper back- ups in case of equipment failures, storms and of course power failures

Extra security measures like computer supervised generators allow companies to continue monitoring, even during an extended blackout. Fully redundant telephone switches combined with software designed to make" switch-over's in seconds are frequently seen in ULC listed stations.

ULC listed companies also require two staff members to be on duty at all times. These stations must not be located on the ground floor and must have at least two fire-rated security doors. Rooms used for monitoring with outside windows are definitely prohibited.

A ULC monitoring station must be committed to "alarm monitoring only". These stations must not run any other part of the business from this location because the covenant requires staff members must not engage in distractions like phone answering duties.

Another advantage of having ULC certified monitoring is the assurance of knowing the required protection is in place and up to specification, working properly and under contract to keep working by ULC follow-ups of service audits. Also included in the overall specifications of the ULC certificate are the various communication levels that exist to transmit a signal to the monitoring station.

Line security levels vary between the property being protected and the monitoring station. Each level of communication has a relative amount of security from attempts to disable connections between the premises and the station.

The majority of transmissions are transmitted through the telephone network, with some systems transmitting by cellular or radio waves. There are different communication methods available ranging from a digital dialer to dedicated lines which provide the highest protection from line tampering.

In past years Central Monitoring Stations used to provide their own in house guard service to verify alarm calls. Today, most monitoring stations employ third party private guard companies to confirm whether a break and enter has actually occurred before the police are dispatched. These companies greatly reduce fines to homeowners because of unnecessary calls to police resulting in false alarms.

ULC has recognized this change in the industry and is allowing "guard companies" that obtain a ULC listing toward ULC Burglar Alarm Guard Service Certificates in conjunction with premises that currently have a ULC certified alarm installed.

Dogs, they are kind loyal members of the family who are loved by each and every family member. The good news is 30% of Canadians own a dog.

Dogs, they are kind loyal members of the family who are loved by each and every family member. The good news is 30% of Canadians own a dog. The bad news is thousands of dogs are stolen across Canada each year by "pet thieves".

I realize it's difficult to keep your dog under lock and key 24 hours a day however you can minimize the risk of theft by understanding the problem. A dog may be stolen for a variety of reasons. It could be somebody who's simply taken a fancy to the animal and wants a pet of their own or perhaps an estranged partner views the pet as their property and decides to organize a dog napping.

Motives could also be driven by puppy mills, where operators seek fresh breeding stock or perhaps underground dogfighters on the lookout for likely breeds to be used in training. Another problem entering into the equation is the fact people are prepared to pay for purebred animals without getting registration papers. With pedigree dogs costing hundreds if not thousands of dollars it opens a huge market for canine theft. After all, it's all about "supply and demand".

So how can you prevent a pet thief from stealing your precious family member? To start with make sure you spay or neuter your pet. The experts tell us this is the best way to defend against unlawful breeders. These are purebred dog snatchers who are looking for financial gain by stealing your pet. It's always a good idea to indicate on your dog's collar the fact your animal has either been spayed or neutered.

And beware of strangers who seem overly interested in your pet. If they ask about the breeding or buying of your pet, tell them your animal has been fixed. Don't ever talk to a stranger about your pet's bloodline or special abilities. It's always a good idea to discreetly find out the person's name and address in conversation as well as note their license number if they are driving a vehicle. Educate your neighbors on keeping an eye on suspicious activity toward animals in your neighborhood. When at home don't leave your dog outside on a tethered leash and if you're away from home never leave Fido unattended in your vehicle or tied up outside a store or eatery.

It's always a good idea to take precautions with a secured fence around your property which contains a gate with a double cylinder deadbolt lock (keyed both sides). This will force a dog thief to have to scale the fence to get into the yard and scale the fence with the animal to exit the property. Why not consider buying pet insurance from a company that covers the cost of locating a missing animal. There are companies that offer $1000.00 with no preliminary deductable, for advertising and reward expenses. If you are sure someone has stolen your pet, contact the police and make sure they take a stolen property report. Blanket your immediate area with flyers, posting them on telephone poles, in grocery stores as well as other retail outlets. Also posting flyers near schools and fire stations will give more exposure. Veterinary offices, shelters, pet stores and grooming shops are other great stops to make with your flyers. Don't be shy with your flyers, hand them out to postal employees, garbage workers, couriers and paper delivery boys.

Call your local newspaper advising them of the theft and ask them to warn others in the neighborhood of the crime. Local television and radio is another great avenue to proceed down. The internet has become a great tool to track down lost pets and there are a number of free sites you can post images and exchange information.

Contact all breeders in the area and make sure you also contact the provincial and national breed clubs. Make sure you notify local animal shelters of the theft and visit all animal control shelters within a 100 mile radius. And remember not to give up searching after a couple of weeks, many stolen dogs have been returned safely back to their owners after several weeks.

There's a potential danger lurking in our homes today. Many people have suffered heartache and trauma from this modern day "master of communication".

There's a potential danger lurking in our homes today. Many people have suffered heartache and trauma from this modern day "master of communication". Of course I'm talking about "the home computer". This seemingly harmless piece of equipment can have an adverse effect on many people.

I'm specifically referring to online dating. With the online dating stigma fading fast, daters often find themselves dropping their guard with anonymous prospects. And the home computer is the main artery between cyberspace companions.

I realize online dating is one of the most popular trends in society today with sales over a billion dollars a year. Armed with a never ending inventory of prospective dates, it's safe to say its popularity isn't venturing too far.

Let's face it, it's easy to be confident while tapping on a keyboard from the comforts of home. And rejection....so what, there's a lot more fish in the sea of cyberspace. But before you get too brave let me warn you about the many risks linked to this activity.

For starters, don't lose touch of the fact the person at the other end of the keys is a complete stranger. This is an anonymous person who could harm you if you don't take the necessary precautions. For instance before you head out on a real date, consider a background check on the person. Some dating services do background checks, but keep in mind a few bad apples could fall through the cracks.

Fortunately most people looking for Mr. or Ms. Right are trusting individuals. But there are many individuals who misrepresent themselves. They lie about their age, sex and marital status. 30% of people using an online dating service are married and most of them are posing as single people. And remember women are just as good as men at running dating scams on the internet.

Beware of the appealing person who makes you feel like you're on top of the world. These scammers gain your trust and once you fall for them, they work their art. They start asking for money and once you send the funds, they disappear like Houdini. So remember the golden rule of cyberspace dating, "never send money".

Often people you meet online will appear on your doorstep, even if you didn't give out your address. A traced IP address is enough to gain important information about you. Did you know there are many criminals adverse in the art of online dating? These creeps are responsible for many online affairs that result in sexual abuse and more often than not, these losers are married people.

Don't volunteer too much information about yourself to soon. It's not difficult for a "bad guy" to gain personal information, especially when people are quick to give out their phone number. A phone number is an easy way for someone to do a little research and come up with personal information about you like your home address. So it's best to use an unlisted number or cell phone number if you are cruising the web for a date.

Use an online service with anonymous email function until you are comfortable the person you are communicating with is genuine. You don't want to get involved with dating scammers who communicate by sending generic emails to your address. These scams are intended to suck you in like a vacuum by posting attractive photos of themselves (or somebody else) and only communicate through email as part of their baiting scheme.

I'm a believer in trusting ones instincts. If something doesn't feel right, move on. Never give personal information such as your telephone number, and home address. Never fall into a comfort zone with anybody you have never met in person. And never give out your original email address. Set up an anonymous email account and always check the other person's information for authenticity.

And finally, if you decide to meet each other in person, make sure the first meeting is in a busy public place and don't forget to take a friend with you as well. Tell your friend to remain anonymous and at the same time keep an eye on you and your date.

You must have a back-up plan to protect your irreplaceable possessions, should a burglar manage to penetrate your existing security.

You must have a back-up plan to protect your irreplaceable possessions, should a burglar manage to penetrate your existing security. All too often an evening ends with the discovery of missing heirloom jewelry.

Stolen replaceable items are one thing, but when we talk about family heirlooms it casts a totally different shadow on the situation. More often than not, we don't think about this possibility until it's too late.

The first words out of a distraught victims mouth are usually, " Why didn't we secure our precious heirlooms?" Unfortunately shutting the barn door after the horse is gone is not an uncommon occurrence.

The first step in protecting your jewelry involves calling your insurance company and inquiring about the amount of coverage your policy provides. If it is not enough, you may have to buy a floater or endorsement to assure your coverage is complete.

Make sure that you have updated appraisals on all your heirloom jewelry. Any current fine jewelry you purchase should be accompanied by a written appraisal. If you are not successful at receiving an appraisal, you should at least have your jeweler write an in-depth description of the purchased jewelry.

This description should include all information provided to you before the purchase of the piece, and should include the return guarantee. This will protect your investment in the off chance that your independent appraisal indicates conflicting information.

Storing your valuables in a safe location is imperative. Expensive heirloom jewelry that is not worn often should be stored in a safe deposit box at your bank. Your insurance company may even give you a better rate for vault storage. Keep in mind if you decide to wear it out for the evening, you may have to purchase a small policy to cover it while out of the secured bank vault.

Keeping expensive jewelry in your home is a gamble at the best of times. Unless you have a high security safe that can withstand severe attacks using powerful tools such as sledgehammers, power saws, carbide disc cutters and drills, you had better not take the chance of leaving your precious jewelry at home.

Make sure to take individual pictures of each and every piece of jewelry. This will give you some form of visual documentation to keep with your appraisal and insurance papers in the safe deposit box.

Ask your jeweler about a relatively new process that involves laser coding your diamonds. This process is not supposed to harm the quality of the diamond. It involves cutting a tiny identification code into the girdle of the stone with a laser beam. You then receive documentation that proves your ownership and makes tracing your diamond easier in the event of loss or theft.

There is no substitute for occupancy, so whether away on vacation or away for the evening, make sure to take the time and assure you have protected those precious family heirlooms before a thief decides to leave a lasting impression.

B.C.Cabinet Minister Colin Hansen who is responsible for the 2010 Winter Olympics assured us in July, 2006 there will be no cost overruns for security during the "Mega Event".

B.C.Cabinet Minister Colin Hansen who is responsible for the 2010 Winter Olympics assured us in July, 2006 there will be no cost overruns for security during the "Mega Event". Adding to his financial assessment was the fact that Athens and Turin, although spent more on security, used their budgets to build new police stations and upgrade equipment.

He assured us this would not be the case in Vancouver, so the $175 million budgeted for "Security" would be enough. This figure was determined after round table discussions with delegates from future and potential host cities.

So what happened? The latest figures for the Olympics' security budget is $900 million and climbing. How could there be such a huge shortfall. Back In the fall of 2001, Government of Canada departments and agencies began working with the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation to determine preliminary cost estimates for security and policing at the 2010 Games.

Strategic planning for security began immediately following the July 2003 announcement that Canada would host the 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games. These efforts were led by the RCMP Integrated Security Unit.

British Columbia's financial commitment to the Olympic Games and Paralympics Games Security was sealed with the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in December 2006. This agreement outlined the roles, obligations and responsibilities of British Columbia, Canada, the RCMP and the joint BC/Canada Security Committee.

Granted the MOA clearly contemplated the possibility that security costs would be in excess of the initial bid budget, as the development of a comprehensive security plan moved forward. After careful review in February 2008 by the Budget Review Sub-Committee, a detailed audit of the revised security costs surfaced. Hence the new revised cost share agreement between the Federal and Provincial government surfaced on February 19,2009.

My issue is not with the current budget. As a matter of fact I feel the figures are very realistic considering the fact Vancouver is a port city who rubs shoulders with the United States. My concern is the total amount calculated from the cost estimates of 2001 and the strategic planning in 2003 added up to a five year miscalculation of $725 million dollars in July 2006.

This is a highly visible national security event with possibilities of terrorists and assassins. So how could these strategic planners overlook this by submitting a vastly underfunded security budget? Maybe the Olympic planners need to realize that a budget represents the forecast of revenues and expenditures associated with organizing and staging such an event.

Here we are almost 8 years after preliminary security cost estimates began looking at a provincial bill of $252.5 million to secure the 2010 Winter games. The federal government will pay the remaining $647.5 million and assume the remaining costs and any unforeseen costs in the development and delivery of security operations for the Games.

Maybe we would have been better off if PyeongChang had won the coin toss so we could invest the $252.5 million into the policing of our own communities in British Columbia.

How safe and secure do you feel? The fact that Surrey streets have been riddled with gunfire these days has perked the attention of many citizens.

How safe and secure do you feel? The fact that Surrey streets have been riddled with gunfire these days has perked the attention of many citizens.

Radio, television and newspapers are buzzing with every gunshot that rings through the streets, and rightfully so. It doesn't matter what kind of spin you put on the problem, it boils down to three key issues, more resources, tougher laws and stiffer sentences.

Criminal law is under federal jurisdiction, however the administration of justice is the responsibility of each individual province (with the exception of the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut). This is why the vast majority of Crown Council are employed by Canada's ten provinces.

A weakness in our judicial system as I see it is the fact that Crown Attorneys don't have to answer to the electorate. If these were elected positions Crown Council would certainly take a harsher stance when prosecuting criminals.

I realize we don't currently have the resources to tackle gang problems in our communities. So what else is new? We don't have the resources to tackle theft, graffiti or internet crime either. We not only need more police officers, we need more Crown Attorneys as well. However what we don't need are more bleeding hearts sitting on the benches of our court rooms.

Let's quit trying to solve the problem from the bottom up. Crime Prevention starts at the top. The only way we are going to make a difference in crime stats is to hand out stiffer sentences. So why isn't this happening? Why are murderers walking our streets? Why are prolific car thieves constantly scouting new inventory? Why are burglars and drunks cruising the streets of our community? The answer is obvious, a weak judicial system.

I feel for our police officers to-day. For the most part, they are hard working dedicated individuals who put their lives on the line for the safety of our communities. Imagine how frustrating it would be to spend hours if not days preparing documents as evidence on a criminal case in exchange for a light sentence or worse yet freedom for the accused.

We need to elect our judges. They need to be accountable for the decisions they are handing out. It judges had to answer for weak sentences, you would see a drastic change in crime stats.

I'm tired of hearing buzz phrases, like "symptoms of crime" or "root of crime". Let's quit dancing the issue and do something about it. Less talk and more action. We can obviously create more strategies and initiatives but if we can't put our criminals behind bars they're not worth the paper they're printed on.

I applaud Dianne Watt's dedication in her fight against crime in the city of Surrey, but there's only so much she can do without help from above. It's time for the Premier, Attorney-general and the Solicitor General to step up to the plate and toughen the laws so we can feel safe on our streets again.

Last week I had the pleasure of running into Ron Cole an old locksmith friend of mine.

Last week I had the pleasure of running into Ron Cole an old locksmith friend of mine. I'm sure many of you remember Ron when he owned and operated "Coles Locksmith" for many years on the Peninsula. It's hard to forget Ron's distinguished accent, brilliant wit and remarkable sense of humor.

After we exchanged pleasantries, it was straight to "Security Issues". I decided to light Ron's fuse with a loaded question, "So what security issue is bugging you to-day?" He exploded with a one word answer, "Keys".

Concerned with the low level of importance most people place on their keys, Ron brought up a good point. It's amazing how we take our keys for granted, until they're gone. I've had calls from people who were devastated over the loss of their keys.

I know we have all experienced forgetful moments when we've left the keys in the car or found them hanging out of the front door lock. But I'm specifically talking about the conscious negligence of keys. The person who leaves their house and car keys in their coat pocket and knowingly hangs the coat on a public coat rack.

I've seen young mothers leave bunches of keys on restaurant tables, unaware of their whereabouts while tending to junior. Then there's the person who places the keys to their worldly possessions in the hands of a mechanic for vehicle repairs or how about the "pitch and putt" attendant who demands your car keys as collateral for a worn out set of rental golf clubs.

We even need to evaluate the necessity of having keys hanging around the confines of our own residence. I can't tell you how many homes I've had to re-key because somebody broke in and stole a set of house keys. I see it all the time, keys hanging on hooks near front, back, kitchen or laundry room doors. So why do we leave house and car keys hanging around our homes? I can explain it in a word, "Convenience".

We are living in a convenient world geared to a fast pace lifestyle. We want "fast and easy". But unfortunately so does the bad guy. These losers are professionals at focusing their sights on exposed keys. Once spotted, these hawk-like thieves swoop in snatch the keys and head out the door before anybody even notices. The only thing these creeps leave behind is a huge headache for the victim.

So why are we giving crooks the opportunity to score at our expense? The answer is obvious. We have a built in trust factor which gives the bad guy the upper hand. An upper hand that often finds itself wrapped around the steering wheel of our cars or worse yet the keys to our homes.

So unless you want a stranger driving around in your car or paying your home an unscheduled visit, you better take Ron's advise and "know where your keys are."

Here's a solution to help curb mail theft, "Install stronger mail boxes". Canada Post literally holds the key that can make the difference.

Here's a solution to help curb mail theft, "Install stronger mail boxes". Canada Post literally holds the key that can make the difference. I'm specifically talking about the postal key that allows the mail person access into the banks of mail boxes. Let's use a new apartment complex as an example.

Here's how it works. The builder of the apartment block purchases the mail box units from a lock wholesale company. Once installed, the builder notifies Canada Post and requests them to install their "postal locks" into the units.

Canada Post does not carry individual mailbox keys. They only hold keys to the postal lock which allows them access to several mail boxes at one time. Once the mail has been loaded into the individual mailboxes, the mail person locks the access door and moves to the next bank of boxes.

With the increasing numbers in mail theft, why isn't Canada Post putting the pressure on the mail box manufacturers to produce a more secure product? All Canada Post has to do is refuse to install their lock into inadequate mail boxes.

If Canada Post refuses to install their lock into a builder's bank of mailboxes because of security deficiencies, the owners will not receive mail delivery. This will force builders to put pressure on the mailbox manufacturers who will then be forced to produce a more secure product to hold your mail..

It wouldn't take the manufacturers long to improve the strength and quality of these boxes if the specs required by Canada Post were upgraded. With the numbers in mail theft increasing, it only makes sense to halt the manufacturing of inadequate mail boxes.

I can't blame new home builders for the deficiencies in the system. They can only purchase what's available and if weak and insecure is the only product available than that's what the homeowner gets. Canada Post has recently changed their old archaic locking system to a newer high security lock made by Assa/Abloy. This was a long time coming to British Columba, but nevertheless a good move.

However to install a good high security lock in a bank of mailboxes that could be opened with a butter knife doesn't make sense. So why doesn't Canada Post demand stronger boxes from the manufacture for the safe keeping of our mail?

There's a simple explanation. Canada Post's only obligation is to deliver the mail. What happens after that is your problem. If a mail thief breaks into the banks of mail boxes after the mail has been delivered.....that's your problem. If the boxes are destroyed..... that's your problem and if your identity is stolen........unfortunately that's your problem.

Canada Post will not accept any responsibility after the mail has been delivered. However it goes without saying that Canada Post is still holding the key to change. A key that could make a difference in tomorrows mail theft statistics.

It's a familiar story.

It's a familiar story. Whenever I do lock repairs I often here the same comments from homeowners, "I've been meaning to get my lock fixed for ages" or "I don't know why I didn't call you sooner" In most cases living with a sticky lock or a door you need to throw a hip check into before locking or opening is more of an inconvenience than a security risk.

So what do you the homeowner look for when assessing your locks future? You can start by opening your front door and looking at it's edge where the deadlocking bolt (throw) is located. The throw should be level with the edge of the door. If it looks like it's recessed at all, it's more than likely broken!

Neglecting to repair or replace the bolt will eventually result in the throw jamming between the door and frame causing the lock to fail. This could put the homeowner in a "locked out" situation if the problem door is the only access into their home.

Another common problem involves the"strike plate". This is the metal plate that's screwed into the frame side of the door. The throw fits inside this plate when in the locked position. If you find your deadbolt is hard to lock or open, it could be because the door has dropped and the throw is rubbing against the bottom of this plate. Before you start filing or adjusting the plate, make sure you first check the door hinges.

Often the hinge screws become loose and cause the door to drop. You may only need to tighten the screws on the hinges to correct this problem however adding one or two 3" screws to each hinge will offer a more permanent fix.

Because we live close to the water, there's a lot of salt in the air. Salt attracts water. So the combination of salt, water and oxygen increases the waters ability to carry electrons which cause corrosion.Once corrosion sets in, your key may not slide into the lock cylinder easily.

So if you curse every time you lock or unlock the door because you have to push hard while wiggling the key back and forth, here's a tip. Go to your local hardware store, purchase a can of WD40 and spray a generous portion into the keyway. Contrary to what some say, WD40 works well in locks to help free up the moving parts.

Another common complaint is, "My keys don't work well in the lock, I have to lift up on the key and turn at the same time to engage the lock. This problem stems from a pinning problem inside the lock cylinder. The pins determine what key operates the lock.

Pins that are too long make the lock stiff to open or close whereas pins that are too short feel like the key is catching on something inside the lock.

To correct this problem you must re-pin your lock. To do this you may either take the lock to your local locksmith or pay the service call and have the locksmith come to your home .No matter what decision you make, I can assure you a little preventive maintenance will reward you with many years of smooth operating locks.

The dictionary describes a "predator" as one who victimizes, plunders, or destroys. "Predators" are an unfortunate part of today's society.

The dictionary describes a "predator" as one who victimizes, plunders, or destroys. "Predators" are an unfortunate part of today's society. Driven by a multitude of motives, these dangerous individuals leave a long trail of grief for their victims and their families.

These creeps often take the form of thieves, burglars, vandals and muggers. But there's a different type of predator creating havoc among the young these days. What's disturbing is the young victims often know who's behind these deplorable acts.

That's because the predator generally attends the same school as the victim. I'm talking about classmates who've acquired a cruel streak and like to exercise it by inflicting emotion pain on fellow students.These sick individuals rely on computers and cell phones to execute their cowardly actions.

With "internet interaction" at an all time high, a student's repertoire of communication tools could include e-mails, text messaging, instant messaging, chat rooms or even photos from cell phones. These are the tools modern day bullies use to prey on their victims. This crime is known as "cyber-bullying".

"Cyber-bullying" is when a child, preteen or teen is harassed, humiliated, embarrassed, threatened, tormented or otherwise targeted by another child using interactive and digital technologies. In order to fall under the "Cyber-bullying" category, both sides must be minors. If an adult is involved the crime becomes "cyber-harassment" or "cyber-stalking".

So how can parents tell if their children are victims of "cyber-bullying?" Some signs to look for are behavioral changes, trouble sleeping, stomach and headaches, lack of appetite, crying for no apparent reason, lowered self-esteem, and a decrease in his or her school grades.

Although most "cyber space" interactions are positive, parents or guardians must realize their children could be subject to this type of crime. As a parent you need to keep the lines of communication open between yourself and your children. And young people need to know, if they're being harassed repeatedly and are fearful of their own safety or the safety of others, there are laws to protect them under the Criminal Code of Canada.

Keep in mind it's also a crime to write something that is designed to insult a person or injure their reputation by subjecting them to hatred, contempt or ridicule. This is known as "defamatory libel". A "cyber-bully" may also be violating the "Canadian Human Rights Act" if he or she spreads hate or discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation or disability.

Schools need to do their part in the fight against "Cyber-bulling" as well. They need to develop anti-bulling policies that are designed to promote a strong message throughout the school. These policies should outline the specific roles,responsibilities and procedures for staff, parents and community volunteers.

All adults and children need to be updated on the latest ways to deal with bullying incidents, code of conduct for students, response protocols and the consequences of bullying. Nobody has the right to strike fear into innocent children.

So if you fall under the category of "Cyber-bully", be forewarned, you are outnumbered, you will be caught and you will pay the consequences!