At this time of year you might be one who is diamond hunting for yourself or someone else. If you are -- a word of caution Before making any decisions about which necklace or ring to buy or who to buy it from do your homework.
As the recession is dying out that renewed interest, especially amongst the affluent, in buy an exquisite diamond ring, bracelet or necklace for that someone special is good news for the diamond industry but don't assume that all members of the jewelery industry will respond to this by treating you honestly. Most will -- but not necessarily all.
In order to protect yourself look for things like certification by the local jewelery association. In Canada look for the CJA sign in the window of the jewellery store or check the web page at: www.canadianjewllers.com
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Get a Good Description With a Camera
Some encounters with criminal types or people who arouse your suspicion happen with such lightning speed that it can be difficult to get a good description. But sometimes a camera can help to solve the problem if you get a chance to shoot a few frames with your digital camera using your cell phone or other type of camera.
Just be sure that it is safe to do so as many persons get upset very quickly when they even suspect you are taking pictures of them.
It is perfectly legal to take pictures of people on the streeet in Canada , -- although you should check your local laws first. It is usually only when you are going to use these pictures to reproduce in some magazine that you might need a signed model release form from the subject.
Something else I would consider is what type of camera you are going to use -- if you are going to do this on a regular basis as a security guard or other security professional. In many cases it might be better to carry a disposable camera for such use rather than any expensive digial camera -- just in case the police or courts want the actual camera you shot the picture with in some cases or there is a possibility of your camera getting damaged during the incident.
Just be sure that it is safe to do so as many persons get upset very quickly when they even suspect you are taking pictures of them.
It is perfectly legal to take pictures of people on the streeet in Canada , -- although you should check your local laws first. It is usually only when you are going to use these pictures to reproduce in some magazine that you might need a signed model release form from the subject.
Something else I would consider is what type of camera you are going to use -- if you are going to do this on a regular basis as a security guard or other security professional. In many cases it might be better to carry a disposable camera for such use rather than any expensive digial camera -- just in case the police or courts want the actual camera you shot the picture with in some cases or there is a possibility of your camera getting damaged during the incident.
Don't Forget These Points When The Need to Use Force Erupts
I was reading a newspaper account the other day about a policeman who savagely beat a teenager he was interviewing whom he suspected was one of the trouble makers at a party when he became enraged by the youth's claims that he was not the one he was looking for.
.He, of course is far from the lone sufferer of this malady in the police (and even security) world as you can see from numerous media accounts of the excessive use of force by police officers or security guards. It seems that far too many police officers and security people forget some critical parts of the use of force -- such as these:
Everyone in Canada, whether they are a private citizen or a police officer is allowed to use force to protect themselves or somebody else, to prevent an assault or other crime, or to prevent a suspect from escaping -- however:(1) They must be sure that what they are doing at the time is either allowed or authorized by law. (2) There must be no other alternative to the use of that force ( especially lethal force). (3) They must start with a minimum amount of force -- just enough to control the situation..(4) They must never use any more force than necessary -- what can be justified by law.
This, of course, requires a continuous assessment of the situation from the time they first learn of the situation or person they are going to confront right through to the end of the engagement.
If more police officers -- and security professionals practised this type of thing there is bound to be far few cases of police and security guard brutality.
In emergency situations following such a guideline is not easy as decisins about how to react to somebody must be made in secons not minutes, but it seems that far too often police officers -- and others --don't follow any guidelines such as the National Use of Force Model in Canada at all they just explode in a rage -- destroying their own careers as well as the lives of their victims.
A prudent police officer or security professional will always keep these guidelines in mind. As most do!.
.He, of course is far from the lone sufferer of this malady in the police (and even security) world as you can see from numerous media accounts of the excessive use of force by police officers or security guards. It seems that far too many police officers and security people forget some critical parts of the use of force -- such as these:
Everyone in Canada, whether they are a private citizen or a police officer is allowed to use force to protect themselves or somebody else, to prevent an assault or other crime, or to prevent a suspect from escaping -- however:(1) They must be sure that what they are doing at the time is either allowed or authorized by law. (2) There must be no other alternative to the use of that force ( especially lethal force). (3) They must start with a minimum amount of force -- just enough to control the situation..(4) They must never use any more force than necessary -- what can be justified by law.
This, of course, requires a continuous assessment of the situation from the time they first learn of the situation or person they are going to confront right through to the end of the engagement.
If more police officers -- and security professionals practised this type of thing there is bound to be far few cases of police and security guard brutality.
In emergency situations following such a guideline is not easy as decisins about how to react to somebody must be made in secons not minutes, but it seems that far too often police officers -- and others --don't follow any guidelines such as the National Use of Force Model in Canada at all they just explode in a rage -- destroying their own careers as well as the lives of their victims.
A prudent police officer or security professional will always keep these guidelines in mind. As most do!.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Are You Aware of Your Surroundings?
With so many persons, both men and women, disappearing across North America these is often wonder how much of this could be prevented if the person had been more aware of their surroundings - namely dangers from predators who often watch potential victims for some time before striking.
When I started teaching a course for prospective security guards I quickly learned that most persons go through the day going from point A to point B without noticing very much about their surroundings. At the start of each class I usually tell the students that at the end of the week I will be asking them to describe somebody in the class as well as the stairwell leading up to the classroom.
Most fail miserably at this.
And this is something you see in everyday life as well. Stand on any street corner and you'll notice just how many persons are so caught up in cell phone conversations or their efforts to get where they are going that they don't have a clue who they just past or who is sitting in a car beside them.
As many predators observe you for some time to plan if, how, and where they are going to attack you this tendency of most of us creates many easy targets for these criminals.
When I started teaching a course for prospective security guards I quickly learned that most persons go through the day going from point A to point B without noticing very much about their surroundings. At the start of each class I usually tell the students that at the end of the week I will be asking them to describe somebody in the class as well as the stairwell leading up to the classroom.
Most fail miserably at this.
And this is something you see in everyday life as well. Stand on any street corner and you'll notice just how many persons are so caught up in cell phone conversations or their efforts to get where they are going that they don't have a clue who they just past or who is sitting in a car beside them.
As many predators observe you for some time to plan if, how, and where they are going to attack you this tendency of most of us creates many easy targets for these criminals.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Could You Create an Accurate Description?
Could you create an accurate description of the suspect if your were attacked by a criminal or witnessed a crime? A surprisingly large number of people could not.
In one instance the manager of the bank gave the police a suspect descrption that was the complete opposite of reality. After the traukmatic crimne her mind played games on her and where she describedh im as short he was tall; where describged him as at he was muscular and athletic. Where described him as having a drak complextion with brown or black hair he was actually blond with blue eyes.
Your mind can play games on you like this if you are either the victim of a crime or a witness, but you can overcome these problems if you are more prepared. Some security people, for instance make a practice of developing their sills in suspect description by practicising when people they encounter on a regular basis.
They practice recreating a mental picture of that person who just passed them whenever they have the opportunity. In this way they become more adept at noticing and remembering the features of persons they meet.
It is just like riding a bicycle. At first you will find it difficult but as you practice it will become second nature.
In one instance the manager of the bank gave the police a suspect descrption that was the complete opposite of reality. After the traukmatic crimne her mind played games on her and where she describedh im as short he was tall; where describged him as at he was muscular and athletic. Where described him as having a drak complextion with brown or black hair he was actually blond with blue eyes.
Your mind can play games on you like this if you are either the victim of a crime or a witness, but you can overcome these problems if you are more prepared. Some security people, for instance make a practice of developing their sills in suspect description by practicising when people they encounter on a regular basis.
They practice recreating a mental picture of that person who just passed them whenever they have the opportunity. In this way they become more adept at noticing and remembering the features of persons they meet.
It is just like riding a bicycle. At first you will find it difficult but as you practice it will become second nature.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Don't Fool Yourself
When it comes to food you can cause yourself a lot of harm by convincing yourself that all food is good simply because it is labeled organic.
As Jon Jerring, Managing Editor of Total Health Breakthroughs warns, for instance, sugar is still sugar whatever its source and can cause a lot of health problems including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes if you consume too much. This causes dangerous spikes in the insulin in your blood.
You can't go overboard just because it is organic or experts tell you a particular food or fruit is rich in antioxidants or other disease fighting quialities unlike a friend of ours who heard that the beta carotene in carrots is not only good for protecting your eyesight but is also a cancer fighter. She responded to this information by consuming so much this through jkuices that her fingers actually developed an orange tinge.
Also, when shopping don't fool yourself into believing that just because something is labeled "organic" that it is. Be a food detective and check out its source.
As Jon Jerring, Managing Editor of Total Health Breakthroughs warns, for instance, sugar is still sugar whatever its source and can cause a lot of health problems including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes if you consume too much. This causes dangerous spikes in the insulin in your blood.
You can't go overboard just because it is organic or experts tell you a particular food or fruit is rich in antioxidants or other disease fighting quialities unlike a friend of ours who heard that the beta carotene in carrots is not only good for protecting your eyesight but is also a cancer fighter. She responded to this information by consuming so much this through jkuices that her fingers actually developed an orange tinge.
Also, when shopping don't fool yourself into believing that just because something is labeled "organic" that it is. Be a food detective and check out its source.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Two Excellent Sources of Critical Security Information
If you are looking for clear concise information on how to protect your business or protect clients' people, property, and information there are two excellent magazines available.
One is Canadian Security . You can find an online edition at www.canadiansecurity mag.com.
the other one is Loss Prevention, published by Spark Publications and found at www.LPportal.com.
Subscriptions to both publications are free to security and loss prevention professionals and come in online and print editions. Both focus on timely, usable ideas.
One is Canadian Security . You can find an online edition at www.canadiansecurity mag.com.
the other one is Loss Prevention, published by Spark Publications and found at www.LPportal.com.
Subscriptions to both publications are free to security and loss prevention professionals and come in online and print editions. Both focus on timely, usable ideas.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
A Wake Up Call for Everyone
A recent report in Metro News on November 12, 2009 in Vancouver B.C. Canada was a real wake up call for everyone.
According to the story many persons during the recent H1N1 epidemic scare , including hockey players, staff of private colleges and others have went into survival mode jumping the queue to get their H1N1 vaccination ahead of others.
Professor Scott Schieman a University of Toronto Sociology professor says it is all about their personal "survival mode".
According to Schieman when threats like the swine flu (H1N1 virus) erupt many persons will do whatever it takes to ensure t heir personal survival.
Their selfish actions upset many persons but it should wake the rest of us up, realizing that there are many persons in the world like that, people who would do anything to ensure their personal survival regardless of how it affected others and take steps to make sure that we have a personal survival plan for ourselves and our families and practiced putting into action so we are prepared to survive any natural or man-made disaster.
In any natural disaster, although their have been some heart-warming accounts of people going out of the way to rescue and help others after natural disasters, this might not always be the case and we should be prepared to survive independent of others around us if they are not so willing to put others ahead of themselves.
Being prepared to ride out any disasters will also put you in a much better position to be able to help others who are caught unprepared or in situations beyond their control.
According to the story many persons during the recent H1N1 epidemic scare , including hockey players, staff of private colleges and others have went into survival mode jumping the queue to get their H1N1 vaccination ahead of others.
Professor Scott Schieman a University of Toronto Sociology professor says it is all about their personal "survival mode".
According to Schieman when threats like the swine flu (H1N1 virus) erupt many persons will do whatever it takes to ensure t heir personal survival.
Their selfish actions upset many persons but it should wake the rest of us up, realizing that there are many persons in the world like that, people who would do anything to ensure their personal survival regardless of how it affected others and take steps to make sure that we have a personal survival plan for ourselves and our families and practiced putting into action so we are prepared to survive any natural or man-made disaster.
In any natural disaster, although their have been some heart-warming accounts of people going out of the way to rescue and help others after natural disasters, this might not always be the case and we should be prepared to survive independent of others around us if they are not so willing to put others ahead of themselves.
Being prepared to ride out any disasters will also put you in a much better position to be able to help others who are caught unprepared or in situations beyond their control.
Friday, December 4, 2009
A Case of False Assumptions
The case of Amanda Knox who was today found guilty of murdering her room mate and sentenced to 26 years in jail is a stark reminder that the justice we enjoy in Canada and the United States does not always exist in other countries --even some European countries such as Italy.
Amanda, her lawyers and family apparently assumed she would receive a fair trail instead of a verdict determined by the media.
Her final fate will not be decided perhaps for another two to six years if and when an appeal is heard or the case is heard by European Court of Justice forcing Amanda family and friends through an emotional gauntlet for some time.
The case is a stark reminder of the need for Americans Canadian and others who are protected by the presumption of innocence rule in their justice systems to take extra precautions to protect themselves when travelling to European and other countries as all of this is reminiscent of the British couple in Spain or Portugal were the police there accused them of been responsible for their young daughter's disappearance a few years ago.
Amanda, her lawyers and family apparently assumed she would receive a fair trail instead of a verdict determined by the media.
Her final fate will not be decided perhaps for another two to six years if and when an appeal is heard or the case is heard by European Court of Justice forcing Amanda family and friends through an emotional gauntlet for some time.
The case is a stark reminder of the need for Americans Canadian and others who are protected by the presumption of innocence rule in their justice systems to take extra precautions to protect themselves when travelling to European and other countries as all of this is reminiscent of the British couple in Spain or Portugal were the police there accused them of been responsible for their young daughter's disappearance a few years ago.
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