Downtown Ambassadors ®

The Downtown Ambassadors® Program is comprised of 16 full-time Ambassadors who are trained to provide hospitality assistance and crime prevention services to the DVBIA area and other BIAs (South Granville, the West End and Yaletown).

The Ambassadors patrol both on foot and by bike, Monday to Friday from 7 am to 10:30 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 10:30 pm. Look for the program to expand to 24/7 service starting this Summer

The goal of the program is to address "quality of life" issues such as panhandling, litter, illegal vending, and graffiti with the understanding that these issues not only affect the general quality of life in the downtown but also the overall crime rates.

The primary roles of the Ambassadors are to:
 
  • assist the public with directions and inquiries about the district, its businesses and its services
  • respond to calls concerning specific incidents (suspicious persons, tourists with special needs, first aid situations and similar events)
  • provide an effective street presence, monitoring and deterring criminal activities in parking facilities and other areas accessible to the public
  • report crime and "quality of life" concerns to appropriate agencies and assist in mitigating these from taking root
  • complete accurate and concise daily incident reports on issues attended to and follow-up with other agencies to effect resolution of problems
  • a walking service (safewalk) to escort employees and visitors to their vehicles, where safety might be a concern, and where feasible

Equipment
The Ambassadors are equipped with the following:

  • two-way radios
  • digital cameras
  • cell phones
  • bikes
  • hand-held Casio computers (in partnership with the Insurance Corporation of BC these computers track all stolen cars)
  • first aid kits
  • visitor information including maps, brochures etc.

Management
The program is co-managed by the DVBIA and Genesis Security, a private security firm. The DVBIA is responsible for program development, supervision of policy and procedures and monitoring of crime issues through its Consultant, Crime Prevention Services. The contractor is responsible for hiring, basic security, training and managing personnel.

Inquiries or applications for employment should be directed to Genesis Security at 604-669-0822, or visit their website at www.genesissecurity.com.
 
 
 

Training
Ambassador training includes:
  • a thorough orientation about the DVBIA, its role and goals
  • general instruction, role playing, videos and guest speakers
  • an outline of acceptable conduct, attitude, etiquette, rules and regulations
  • awareness training that addresses community sensitivity and cultural diversity
  • first aid and CPR
  • familiarity with equipment and its use (cell phones, radios, computers, bikes, flashlights, video and digital cameras and identification)
  • safety and crime prevention monitoring techniques
  • detailed knowledge about downtown, its attractions and activities
  • legal parameters of the role, including the management of incidents such as crimes in progress, violence, disorderly conduct or vandalism
  • hospitality and customer-service skills
  • knowledge of the Vancouver Police Department's Stolen Auto Recovery program (SAR)
  • conflict resolution and mediation
  • incident-reporting procedures and report-writing

Budget
The Downtown Ambassador® and Loss Prevention programs are funded exclusively by the DVBIA. The budget for 2007-08 is $961,140 or 59% of the DVBIA's programming budget of $1,620,198.