Q & A: Straight Answers to Hard Asked Questions
Recommendations and Advice from Risk Experts
Reg H., Condominium Industry Professional
I am in the property management business but not on the front line or a manager. I work for one of the larger companies. Recently there has been a lot of effort on the part of our company to train on situation awareness. I understand this for front line workers especially given the shooting up north a few years ago you have written about, but even after receiving the training, I don’t get why people in my position need this.
Riskboss Answer:
Thank you for your email. You are not alone. Situational Awareness while on the surface seems like a pretty simple topic and concept, actually it is more complex than most people realize. Situational Awareness assists in effective decision making both on the front line and organizationally.
We have decided to write an article on this topic in our next edition (Spring/Summer 2025) to further explain situational awareness. Thank you very much for leading us in this direction. Remember, if it is important to you, it is likely important to many others, and to us here at Riskboss Magazine.
Leslie C., Condominium Board Member
Our condominium recently had a break in one of the main floor units at the back that overlooks a ravine. What can we do to prevent this from happening again? Thank you in advance for your answer.
Riskboss Answer:
Thank you for your email. Break-ins into condominium units were up until recently almost never heard of. There has been a trend in higher end condominiums of two types of break-ins recently; from the outside by smashing windows and doors gaining entry into units; and internally by way of insider information, sometimes by movers and resident tradespeople. Riskboss conducts comprehensive risk assessments outlining this issue in condominium communities providing recommendations for prevention.
Each condominium is different so accordingly the prevention techniques we recommend are be tailormade for the uniqueness of the site.
For information on getting a free thirty-minute tour of your condominium community by one of our Riskboss experts, please contact us at www.riskboss.com.
S. Cruz, Apartment Complex Property Manager
My company manages several low-rise apartment complexes north of Toronto. We don’t have the budget for full time security but are looking to hire part time services. I have always wondered what security checks are done for security guards. One of our clients who is an apartment complex owner is worried about bringing in security guards that may have criminal records. Can you please help? Thank you.
Riskboss Answer:
Thank you for your email. Your question is something that many people wonder about.
The security industry in Ontario is highly regulated by the government. The Ministry of the Solicitor General oversees the security industry. First and foremost, prior to opening up a security company, owners must go through a comprehensive background analysis that includes a criminal background check.
Individual security guard licensing requires all guards to get a criminal background check every year.
The Ministry has recently changed the requirement of who can conduct criminal background checks. In the past, private companies could conduct such checks. Now only accredited police services can conduct these searches which greatly improves the credibility of the analysis.
There are some threshold offences that are allowed under certain circumstances; however, that is only after the matters have been dealt with and sentencing has been dealt with.
There are few industries and jobs that requires this level of scrutiny attached to it. Such scrutiny helps to prevent criminals from entering the workforce.