What Vancouver’s Retail Security Task Force Means for Businesses

Last month, the Vancouver City Council approved the creation of a new task force to combat the growing number of shoplifting incidents affecting retailers across the city. Over the course of six months, key stakeholders, including the Vancouver Police Department and local businesses, will collaborate to address the root causes of retail theft in Vancouver. In this blog, we’ll explore how the new task force plans to provide relief for retailers, how previous collaborations between Vancouver security companies and police have proven successful, and how retailers can leverage retail security to protect their stores.

How Does Shoplifting Impact Vancouver Businesses?

The creation of this new task force follows Vancouver retailers’ growing concerns about the increasing crime and retail theft in the city. Combined with economic uncertainty and increased operational costs, theft puts many retailers at risk of closing their doors in the coming years. 

Economic losses aren’t the only issue raised by increased shoplifting. Concerningly, an uptick in violent shoplifting incidents has created unsafe working conditions for employees. These incidents harm workers, put guests at risk, and erode trust in affected communities. 

As reported in the VPD’s crime metrics, Vancouver experienced a 12% increase in shoplifting incidents in 2024 compared to 2023, combined with a 3% increase in robberies attributed to violent shoplifting incidents. Last year, the downtown core alone saw a staggering 40% increase in shoplifting incidents over 2023. Notably, the city council’s motion regarding the task force adds that VPD’s data is “considered to be a small fraction of the total number due to significant under-reporting of shoplifting incidents.”

These concerns and statistics are what the Vancouver City Council aims to resolve with its new task force. 

How Will the New Vancouver Retail Security Task Force Address Retail Crime?

The task force seeks to combat retail theft through the combined efforts of “business owners, law enforcement, social service agencies, and municipal and provincial authorities,” according to the motion. It will be committed to creating evidence-based, actionable recommendations for the city through data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and examination of successful retail theft mitigation strategies from other jurisdictions. 

With this multi-area approach, the city council aims to address the complex root causes of retail crime in Vancouver, ensuring as many voices as possible are heard.

What Issues Will the Retail Security Task Force Tackle?

The motion lists “organized retail crime, social factors, enforcement challenges, and existing legislative and policy frameworks” as key areas of interest concerning the causes of retail crime. 

Ontario retailers have been significantly impacted by organized retail crime since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite best efforts from local police departments, the problem has shown no signs of slowing. Learn more in our blog, The Impact of Organized Retail Crime on Ontario Businesses.

Retailers on the West Coast have also seen organized retail crime efforts. In November, a Blackbird Security guard bravely prevented two shoplifters from stealing 18 items from an Arc’teryx in Coquitlam, recovering over $19,000 in inventory for our client. This is just one of the ways our retail security teams combat theft. 

Operation Barcode: How Blackbird Security Partnered With the VPD to Prevent Retail Crime in 2024

In May of 2024, Blackbird Security joined forces with law enforcement in Operation Barcode, a program aimed at catching shoplifters through the joint efforts of police and loss prevention operatives (LPOs) at major retailers. During the program, Blackbird Security LPOs helped detain shoplifters until VPD officers arrived on the scene. 

The program lasted just four days, and despite its short duration, it was a nationally recognized success, resulting in 34 arrests, 21 criminal charges, and over $6,000 in recovered merchandise. 

It was an honour to protect Vancouver’s communities and retailers alongside the VPD during Operation Barcode, and we continue to work closely with police officers in every industry we protect. 

Blackbird Security: A Founding Member of the Save Our Streets Coalition

The Save Our Streets (SOS) Coalition is an alliance of over 120 businesses, concerned citizen groups, and community organizations across BC. Established in October 2023, SOS aims to address the growing issues of crime, theft, and violence affecting communities by evaluating the success of government actions through research, evidence-based analysis, and community advocacy. Similarly to the new Retail Crime Task Force, SOS seeks a comprehensive solution to the root causes of crime in Vancouver. 

Blackbird Security is a founding member of the Save Our Streets Coalition, alongside local retailers including London Drugs, Artizia, Save-On-Foods, and Rexall. We’re proud to support initiatives that prioritize protecting our communities and local businesses.

Should Vancouver Retailers Invest in Retail Security?

With the rising costs of goods affecting every aspect of retail businesses, the impact of shoplifting can be devastating. Retailers should assess the effectiveness of their current security strategy to ensure it meets today’s challenges. Investing in a partnership with a professional Vancouver retail security company not only helps prevent theft and reduce losses but also improves staff safety, deters repeat offenders, and creates a safer shopping environment for customers.

Here’s a brief overview of the types of retail security guard services provided by Blackbird Security:

• Uniformed security guards provide a visible deterrent factor to potential shoplifters at store entrances while providing peace of mind and customer service for legitimate shoppers. 

• Tactical security guards undergo extensive training in the use of force to learn safe de-escalation, apprehension, and takedown techniques. These guards are ideal for stores that experience an elevated rate of criminal incidents.

• Undercover loss prevention operatives (LPOs) patrol store floors discreetly, monitoring for suspicious behaviour and shoplifting.

• Suit and tie security provides a discreet, elevated level of protection for high-end retailers and boutiques. 

• CCTV monitoring ensures visibility throughout the store, allowing issues and suspicious activity to be addressed promptly.

Partner With A Trusted Retail Security Company in Vancouver

At Blackbird Security, we are well-acquainted with the challenges that Vancouver retailers face and fully equipped to respond to a wide variety of criminal incidents. We’re proud to partner with local retailers, including Rexall, Sephora, MEC, Canadian Tire, Best Buy, and many more. 

Our experienced retail security teams receive comprehensive training and deliver real results in combating crime and shoplifting for our clients in BC. From big box retailers to local small businesses, we tailor our security services to meet the unique needs of each retail location. 

Get in touch with our team and learn how we can protect your Vancouver business.