Blackbird Security Protects Toronto Through Neighbourhood Watch

In Toronto, auto theft remains a threat to residential neighbourhoods. Some neighbourhoods are turning to private security to protect the safety of their community. Blackbird Security proudly provided daily overnight neighbourhood watch support to a neighbourhood community of 57 homes. Thanks to our efforts, auto thefts in the neighbourhood went from daily occurrences to zero. 

Blackbird Security’s CEO, Ranko Vukovic, was interviewed by CTV News Toronto about our neighbourhood watch support. Watch the full segment below. 

Auto Theft Poses A Serious Risk To Neighbourhoods

In 2023, 11,767 auto thefts occurred at a rate of more than 33 per day. This presents a 17% increase from 2022’s figure of 9,771. Auto thefts are expected to continue to rise and are proving to be a challenging issue for Toronto’s law enforcement.

In the past, car thieves typically used technology to remotely steal cars by duplicating key fob signals. However, as demand for stolen cars has risen, thieves have started taking a more direct approach to theft. As reported by CTV, car thieves are now breaking into homes to steal car keys. In a harrowing testimony, one resident says he was home at the time of the burglary and came face to face with thieves searching his home for car keys. 

Stolen cars are frequently transported overseas, making vehicle recovery a distinct challenge for law enforcement. Proactive measures are proving to be the key to reducing the amount of car theft experienced by residents, which is where Blackbird Security provides support.  

How Blackbird Security Provides The Solution To Neighbourhood Security 

Blackbird Security provides neighbourhood watch support through mobile patrol security in combination with tactical security guard services. 

In the case of the Toronto neighbourhood, Blackbird Security guards conducted patrols nightly from 10 PM to 7 AM, identified as the window in which car thefts most commonly occur. As a result, security incidents in the community decreased from nightly occurrences to zero. 

Mobile patrol security involves tactical security guards patrolling in visibly marked security vehicles equipped with overhead lights, providing a strong visual deterrent for potential thieves who look for home vulnerabilities in advance of committing burglaries and auto thefts. Because they’re onsite during active hours, mobile security guards can quickly respond to security incidents, including triggered house and car alarms. In addition to deterring criminals at the scene, our guards assist with incident report writing, gathering evidence, and collaborating with law enforcement, helping bring criminals to justice swiftly.

The security guards we deployed for neighbourhood watch duties were tactical security guards. Tactical guards are equipped with full vests and gear, and undergo advanced in-house training in key areas, including the use of force and conflict de-escalation. This rigorous training prepares our tactical security guards to respond to serious threats, making them an ideal solution for neighbourhood watch patrols. 

All Blackbird Security guards are equipped with smart technology to facilitate security reporting. We use Tracktik, an industry-leading security reporting software that allows our guards to make real-time reports and collect visual evidence. Our clients can access our Tracktik portal to view the routes of security guards in real-time, adding a layer of transparency for peace of mind. 

Partner with Blackbird Security For Neighbourhood Security

At Blackbird Security, our top priority is to keep our clients safe and secure. We’re proud to offer our protection to Toronto’s residents and help them regain their sense of safety amidst rising auto thefts.

We provide service coverage across Canada. If your neighbourhood requires protective security measures, get in touch with us at the form below.