From watching property to safeguarding health, pandemic has kept Alberta security services busy

Alberta security companies say they're busier than ever, largely due toCOVID-19 protocols and a risein crime.

"When COVID hit, there's been an increase in crime, an increase in vandalism, property damage," said Moe Hadayat, operations manager at Optimum Security.

"Property owners reached out to us and they said, 'Look, we have never seen this kind of increase ... so we need to have security monitor these properties to make sure that nothing is escalated.'"

Hadayat said crime is largely rooted in unemployment and a lack of things to do, thanks to business and social restrictionsthat are in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Paladin Security has seen an increase in patrols going outas a result of so many Albertans working from home,said operations manager Damian Radcliffe.

"That opens up more opportunities for criminal activity," Radcliffe said.

Radcliffe emphasized that an empathetic approach is proving valuable in dealing with people who are under pressure as a result of the pandemic.

"If we lead with that sort of compassion-first type mentality, I think that we can have most of those interactions go well and still do the job that we need to do," Radcliffe said.

Paladin has also workedwith clients who have seen their revenues drop hotel operators, for example to come up with cost-effective security plans.

Backwoods Security Services traditionally servesthe oil and gas industry but since the pandemic has expanded its work to include homeless shelters and health-care facilities.

"Insome of our northern facilities and camps that we're in, the guards are mainly there just to ensure that COVID protocols are being followed, people aren't congregating together just those gentle reminders to keep their distancing and sanitize and wear their masks," said Kyle Applejohn, the director of security at Backwoods.

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Backwoods,which is owned by Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation and Enoch Cree Nation, also does mass temperature screenings in high-density workplaces using thermal imaging technology launched in May.

The company provided security for the NHL playoff bubble and the 2021 world junior men's hockey championship.