Blackbird Security Protects The Birdhouse During Pride Weekend in Vancouver

This past Pride weekend saw Vancouver decorated in every colour of the rainbow to celebrate our city’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community. As a committed supporter and ally, we at Blackbird Security recognize the need for secure, safe spaces where members of marginalized communities can gather fearlessly. Event venues, especially during busy events such as Pride, require comprehensive security coverage to ensure that everyone can enjoy the event as safely as possible. We proudly supported Vancouver’s LGBTQ+ community by providing event security for The Birdhouse during Pride weekend. 

Vancouver’s Space for Queer Community Events: The Birdhouse

A newer addition to Vancouver’s queer nightlife scene, established in Olympic Village in 2023, The Birdhouse is an eclectic event and arts venue that provides a safe and inclusive space for members of the queer community to gather, dance, and be their authentic selves. As a 19+ venue serving alcoholic beverages and featuring live music, security is a priority for The Birdhouse. Here’s how we kept this lively venue safe all throughout Pride weekend:

Overnight Event Security

The Birdhouse saw a jam-packed weekend of music, hosting a total of five events from Friday night to Monday morning. To ensure comprehensive protection, they needed event security guards to monitor and protect the venue’s music, stage, and sound gear during off-hours throughout the entire weekend. We provided near round-the-clock security, including two full nights of overnight security from August 2-4. 

Our security guards safeguarded The Birdhouse’s expensive equipment, closely monitored the surrounding area, patrolled the property, and provided a valuable physical security presence to deter potential thieves and vandals. This ensured that any suspicious activity could be caught and addressed immediately, offering far more comprehensive coverage than remote security options.

Blackbird Security guards receive comprehensive training through our in-house training program, Blackbird Academy, to report any suspicious activity using the industry-standard reporting software TrackTik and, when necessary, contact law enforcement. Through our comprehensive training, we trust our security guards to take the best action in every scenario they encounter on the job. 

Emergency Response

During the daytime events on Saturday and Sunday, two Blackbird Security mobile patrol guards parked their vehicles on 4th Avenue, outside the venue building, reserving parking spaces for emergency vehicles in case first responders were called to the event. Reserving easily accessible parking spaces with security vehicles ensured our team could move the cars to allow first responders to park in front of the building if needed. 

A total of six of our event security guards were on-site during these days to provide a safe and smooth experience for attendees, and to support staff in resolving and responding to any issues that arose. 

Line Management

Every event experiences lineups and crowded spaces. Without proper organization and event security staff, crowds can easily become agitated, and conflicts can quickly arise between attendees. An important aspect of an event security guard’s duty is to ensure that crowds and lines stay peaceful and orderly throughout the event. 

Our security guards helped direct and organize lineups, keeping ticket holders and door ticket purchasers separate. They also assisted Birdhouse staff with ID and bag checks, ensuring that no weapons or other dangerous objects were brought into the venue. 

Crowd Control and Monitoring

Inside, event security guards watched crowds closely for signs of aggressive behaviour, arguments, and physical altercations. Through Blackbird Academy, our guards are trained in verbal de-escalation techniques to diffuse high-tension situations quickly and effectively. 

When addressing aggressive individuals, they will attempt to resolve the situation verbally in a professional manner. If the individual is unable to calm down, guards will professionally ask them to leave the venue and escort them outside. At Blackbird Security, de-escalation is always our top priority. Our guards will make every effort to verbally resolve situations, for the well-being of attendees and staff, as well as for their own safety. 

Our security guards also remained vigilant for other signs of distress among attendees, including medical distress, panic attacks, and overdose. Blackbird Security guards are trained in standard first aid and crisis intervention, equipping them with the knowledge and techniques they need to provide potentially lifesaving care to attendees in distress. 

During the nighttime events on Saturday and Sunday, our security guards courteously asked attendees not to walk onto or stand in the street, ensuring they were safe from traffic along 4th Avenue. 

A Helpful Presence

The Birdhouse is committed to providing a safe and comfortable experience for all attendees. This includes a buddy system, where Birdhouse staff members are available to address concerns and provide a reassuring presence in case any attendees feel unsafe during the event. We were proud to support The Birdhouse with this proactive initiative aligned with our mission.

Through all of our security services, we prioritize an exceptional customer service experience for our clients’ guests. Our security guards are trained in how best to represent our clients’ brands and promote a positive environment for everyone. As a result, our event security guards provide support for guests, in addition to standard security duties. 

Allyship in Action at Blackbird Security

At Blackbird Security, we strive to provide an inclusive and welcoming environment both internally for our diverse staff members and externally for our clients and their guests. We provide an inclusive workplace, invest in training to help our guards best serve members of marginalized communities, and are committed to improving Indigenous inclusion and awareness in Canada. We have a zero-tolerance policy for any staff behaviour falling under violence, harassment, or discrimination, to ensure a fair, comfortable, and safe environment for everyone. Learn more about our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion on our website. 

We’re honoured and grateful that The Birdhouse placed their trust in us to protect their weekend of festivities, and we appreciate the opportunity to support Vancouver’s LGBTQ+ community! 

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