Reed Security was established in March of 2000 with a vision – we want to be the #1 security provider in Saskatchewan! Over two decades later we are known for our great local service and protect 1000’s of homes and businesses across the prairies. To serve you better we have locations in Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert, Calgary and Edmonton. 

In our latest article, we share the details of a security pilot project by the Downtown Saskatoon Business Improvement District.

SMART BUSINESS SECURITY

We help businesses and organizations re-gain control, reduce theft, monitor their properties, protect staff and grow their bottom lines. From small businesses to large enterprises our professional-grade Smart Business security solutions from Reed Security provide tools you can rely on.

In our latest project spotlight, we share some interesting information on a pilot project for the DTNYXE Bid in Saskatoon, and how security cameras and Video Surveillance Keeps Security Front and Center in smart cities across the globe! 

 
“Urban populations are expanding rapidly around the globe, with an expected growth of 1.56 billion by 2040. As the number of people living and working in cities continues to grow, the ability to keep everyone safe is an increasing challenge However, technology companies are developing products and solutions with these futuristic cities in mind, as the reality is closer than you may think. Solutions that can help to watch over public places and share data insights with city workers and officials are increasingly enabling smart cities to improve the experience and safety of the people who reside there. “ - Rishi Lodhia- Managing Director, EMEA,

We all want our public places to be safe, whether you are in shopping malls or walking around towns and cities downtown. From dangerous drivers to petty crime on the streets to high profile bank robberies, surveillance cameras can go some way to recording events, helping the police or other emergency services to respond quickly to, and in some cases even prevent serious incidents.

REED SECURITY PROJECT: DTNYXE 

Reed Security is excited to announce that we are the Saskatoon security company selected by the Downtown Saskatoon Business Improvement District to provide services for the pilot security surveillance project in Downtown Saskatoon. We installed high-definition surveillance cameras at several key locations in Saskatoon’s City Centre, in an effort to make our cities downtown feel safer for all citizens.

We installed REEDHD™ security cameras with ColorVu technology. The cameras use an ultra-low light sensor and a built-in spotlight to see in color 24/7. The client can check on cameras anytime, anywhere using our desktop and smartphone apps.

 “It was easy to increase the safety and protection of our community. The cooperation we received from DTNYXE and participating businesses was outstanding.”
Virgil Reed, CEO, Reed Security

"Reed Security was great to work with, the project was delivered on time and on budget and we are pleased with the overall result. They were sensitive to the needs of property owners to ensure the installation was sensitive to building facades."
Brent Penner, Executive Director, DTNYXE

  

 

DO SECURITY CAMERAS DETER CRIMINAL ACTIVITY?

 

Case studies have proven that having a video surveillance system can deter a significant amount of crime. The University of North Carolina found that half of all the surveyed burglars would flee the area after discovering cameras. Additionally, 60% of burglars said they wouldn’t rob an establishment if they had prior knowledge of the video surveillance system.

 

EXAMPLES OF SMART CITY VIDEO SURVEILLACE

Hayward, California*

After investing in improving its downtown area, city officials in Hayward, California, realized that the area around city hall needed further security measures to stop the drug dealing, prostitution, theft and violent crimes going on there. Purchasing solar-powered, deployable video surveillance units saved the city a significant amount of money since power lines would have had to have been trenched in. Even better, the drug dealing came to a rapid halt thanks to camera identification and other crime went down an estimated 60 percent as well.

Mankato, Minnesota*

The city of Mankato, Minnesota, has complied with its new public safety and property protection initiatives and helped reduce the number of public safety crimes, as well as vandalism incidents. A recent nationally-publicized altercation that took place outside a bar was captured on the city’s surveillance cameras, giving law enforcement evidence that aided in the judicial process.

*Source: https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/90109-the-impact-of-surveillance-smart-cities

 

You could say that the common factor between every smart city project in the world is in their ultimate goal: to improve quality of life, or livability, for their citizens, and Saskatoon is no different. 

Atlanta, Georgia

In addition to city departments, the networks of local private businesses can also be integrated. This results in a public-private partnership that ensures the highest level of protection for a city and its citizens. There are already some very successful use cases proving the importance of collaboration between the public and private sector, for example, the initiative “Operation Shield” ran in the City of Atlanta.

 

“Operation Shield is a two-way street. The police department gets eyes in a particular area they might not have had before, and at the same time, it gives businesses peace of mind that APD can see what’s going on and respond faster should the need arise.” - Thomas Sutton, Senior Police Officer of the Atlanta, Georgia Police Department

10 CITIES WITH THE MOST VIDEO SURVEILLANCE

#1- Cameras per person 

Based on the number of cameras per 1,000 people, these cities are the top 10 most surveilled in the world: 

1. Taiyuan, China – 465,255 cameras for 3,975,985 people = 117.02 cameras per 1,000 people 

2. Wuxi, China – 300,000 cameras for 3,315,113 people = 90.49 cameras per 1,000 people 

3. London, England (UK) – 691,000 cameras for 9,425,622 people = 73.31 cameras per 1,000 people 

4. Indore, India – 200,600 cameras per 3,113,445 people = 64.43 cameras per 1,000 people 

5. Changsha, China – 262,000 cameras for 4,694,722 people = 55.81 cameras per 1,000 people 

6. Beijing, China – 1,150,000 cameras for 20,896,820 people = 55.03 cameras per 1,000 people 

7. Hangzhou, China – 400,000 cameras for 7,845,501 people = 50.98 cameras per 1,000 people 

8. Qingdao, China – 262,000 cameras for 5,742,486 people = 45.62 cameras per 1,000 people 

9. Kunming, China – 200,000 cameras for 4,550,831 people = 43.95 cameras per 1,000 people 

10. Xiamen, China – 150,000 cameras for 3,790,792 people = 39.57 cameras per 1,000 people

#2- Cameras per square mile 

Based on the number of cameras per square mile, these cities are the top 20 most surveilled in the world:
 

Source: Comparitech Figures as of May 2021

Depending on whom you ask, the increased prevalence and capabilities of CCTV surveillance could make society safer and more efficient, could trample on our rights to privacy and freedom of movement, or both. No matter which side you argue, the fact is that live video surveillance is ramping up worldwide. 

WANT TO FEEL SAFE, GET ACCOUNTABILITY AND RE-GAIN CONTROL? 

DROP US A LINE AND GET A FREE SECURITY EVALUATION OR CALL 306.653.3200

Reed Security is a Multi AWARD WINNING company and we are your TRUSTED SASKATOON ALARM & SECURITY EXPERTS

Source: Saskatchewan.ca

Home Renovation Tax Credit

Home Security Systems, Devices and Professional Installation qualify. Monthly fees do not.

Under this non-refundable tax credit, Saskatchewan homeowners may save up to $2,100 in provincial income tax by claiming a 10.5 per cent tax credit on up to $20,000 of eligible home renovation expenses. Eligible expenses include the cost of labour and professional services, building materials, fixtures, equipment rentals, and permits.

This tax credit will be administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as part of the Saskatchewan personal income tax system. CRA will develop the necessary forms and filing instructions in the coming months.

1. To Qualify

• Renovations must be to your principal residence, which must be located in Saskatchewan.
• Renovation expenses must be incurred between October 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022.
• The renovation must be substantially completed by December 31, 2022.
• At the time of the renovation(s), you must own, alone or jointly with another person, the housing unit (or share of the capital stock of a co-operative housing corporation that you acquired solely for the right to inhabit the housing unit owned by that corporation).
• You, your current or former spouse or common-law partner, or any of your or your spouse/common-law partner's children must ordinarily inhabit the housing unit during the eligibility period.
• In general, renovations must be of an enduring nature and integral to the dwelling or to the land that forms part of the dwelling. Land of one-half hectare or 1.24 acres, including the land upon which your housing unit stands and any portion of the adjoining land, will generally be considered part of your eligible dwelling for purposes of this tax credit.

SP&T News, Canada's #1 magazine for security dealers and integrators recently interviewed Virgil Reed.

Before founding Reed Security, a Saskatoon-based business that offers custom-designed alarm systems and high-definition video surveillance, Virgil Reed got his first taste of the security industry working as commercial sales representative for ADT Security back in 1998.

Though he appreciated the vital lessons that he learned from the company, Reed decided to follow his dream of starting his own company.

Founded in 2000, Reed Security started out as an authorized dealer for another company for five years before making another change.

“After five years of being a dealer, we became an independent — and it was the greatest choice I ever made,” Reed said in an interview with SP&T News.

Read the full article: https://www.sptnews.ca/reed-security-celebrates-20-years/

To Our People - Clients, Dealers, Staff and Community,

At Reed Security we're paying attention to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. It's unsettling and share the same concerns as you.

We have increased measures to Reduce the Spread. We encourage you to consult these trusted sources before making any decisions or disseminating any information: 

• Public Health Canada 
• Saskatchewan Government
• WHO 

INCREASED MEASURES

• As of today none of our employees have traveled to a country or area with an “Active Travel Health Notice” per Public Health Canada. If an employee did we would not allow the person to return to work until the end of the mandatory government recommended self-quarantine - which is currently 14 days. 
• If you (employee) travel outside of Saskatchewan please consult a government website to assess the risk level and current protocols for your trip and return. All travel outside of Saskatchewan should be disclosed to the office for the safety of all employees and our clients.
• If you (employee) are faced with self-isolation and do not have adequate supplies please let us know and we will do our best to assist you.
• If you have upper-respiratory symptoms (headache, coughing, fever, other flu-like symptoms), please notify us and stay home; and we recommend you consult a doctor and a trusted information source to determine the best next steps.
• As of today most clinics and doctors offices request that you call first if you think you have COVID-19 so that they can be prepared for your arrival.
• Please do not come to work within 24 hours of having symptoms of a cold or flu.
• If a household member is symptomatic, but unconfirmed COVID-19 please consult a professional and use your best discretion in deciding when it’s safe to return to work.  
• Should you (employee) require self-isolation or extended time off for illness please contact Employment Canada about benefits.
• If you (employee) are confronted with someone who is COVID-19 symptomatic please maintain a safe distance of at least 2 meters or 6 feet, as always you have the right to refuse work that you think is unsafe.
• While we are extremely happy with the job our cleaning staff does we have requested they increase their current cleaning to include wiping down public surfaces with alcohol based wipes.
• Our goal is to reduce the staff in the office at any given time by 20%. Please discuss work from home or reduced in office days with your manager. 

 
REDUCE THE SPREAD

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and especially after using the restroom and before eating.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, wherever available. 
• Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes.
• Avoid shaking hands, hugging, or other personal contact.
• If you need to cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your bend of your elbow.
• Wipe down your cell phone with alcohol based wipe several times per day.
• Once per day wipe down public surfaces with an alcohol based wipes. This includes the front counter, light switches, door knobs, proximity card readers, and security system keypads.
• Everyone (including clients) is required to wash their hands before and after using our boardroom.
• Do not share computers, desks or phones.
• Where possible do not share tools or van space.
• Anyone can be denied entry into our office, or asked to leave the office if they are displaying symptoms that make our staff feel unsafe, a sign will be posted to indicate this at the front door of our office.

Today Reed Security is officially celebrating our 20th Anniversary!

When we started on March 10th, 2000 the security industry was booming and the competition was fierce. The big companies had successful door to door programs and the telephone company (SaskTel) started in the security business. 20 years later the door to door programs are still persistent and even more telephone companies (Bell, Telus/ADT) offer home and business smart security. The competition has never been greater!