Wise Way Security Inc.

Wise Way Security Inc. Serving Vancouver Island since 2014 Wise Way Security Inc. provides its clients a full range of secu

It’s nearly Valentine’s Day, that time of the year when thoughts turn to romance, gifts of flowers and candy and mushy c...
02/12/2026

It’s nearly Valentine’s Day, that time of the year when thoughts turn to romance, gifts of flowers and candy and mushy cards – all created as signs of devotion to the ones we love the most. But in reality the origins of this most romantic of festivities dates back millennia, and has roots that are far less loving, and much more severe.
Much of the history that ultimately led to the creation of the Valentine’s Day that we cherish today has been lost to time, but there is strong evidence that its roots can be traced to the festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration that was popular during the time of ancient Rome. Historians believe that Lupercalia itself owed its existence to a much older pagan celebration that the Romans adopted and converted to Roman use.
The Romans actually celebrated Lupercalia on February 15th not on the 14th that we commemorate Valentine’s but the two celebrations, linked as they are by both love and date are definitely closely related. In 496 AD Pope Gelasius I converted the older Roman celebration into a Christian feast day and formally declared February 14th to be known as St. Valentine's Day.
But just who was St. Valentine? This is where ecclesiastic history becomes a bit murky. According to some sources, during the early Christian era there were no less than three individuals by that name, with more than a little confusion over who was exactly who.
One they know for certain was an early Christian priest who resided in Rome. Another was a Bishop who lived in Terni, Italy during the latter stages of the Roman Empire, while the third St. Valentines lived and preached in Africa where he apparently met a nasty end. The curious thing is that all three are said to have been martyred on Feb. 14!
It’s the Bishop in Terni, Italy and his untimely demise who is most closely linked to the celebration of love and happiness we commemorate today. Sometime around 270 AD a Bishop named Valentine came to both the attention and displeasure of the Roman Emperor Claudius II. Seeking to strengthen the might of the Roman Army the Emperor banned the marriage of young men in the army, believing for whatever reason that bachelors made better soldiers.
As can be imagined the decree was neither universally accepted nor applauded. Against the direct orders of his Emperor Valentine secretly went about performing marriages for young lovers until he was betrayed, arrested and ultimately put to death for his crime – of willfully disobeying Claudius.
But that’s not the only aspect of the Valentine story that has made its way through the ages. Another of the legends concerning this early Bishop is that once he was arrested and incarcerated, he was to fall in love himself – with no less a person than the beautiful daughter of his jailer. As the myth goes, just prior to his crucifixion he was able to pass to his beloved a letter that expressed his passion for her – signed appropriately enough – from your Valentine. For many this deathbed note represents the very first Valentine’s card.
Fortunately today’s celebration is far less harsh and almost always has a happy ending. Whether myth or Fairly Tale, the true history of Valentine‘s Day may never be known for certain. What is most definitely true is that love never goes out of fashion and that coming as it does once the worst of winter is behind us, February 14th seems the ideal time to think of warmer thoughts and of the green and happy days that the coming months will bring. So, from the management and staff of Wise Way Security, Happy Valentine’s Day to lovers everywhere!

Modern life in any vocation can be stressful, thanks to economic uncertainties, employer expectations, familial obligati...
02/06/2026

Modern life in any vocation can be stressful, thanks to economic uncertainties, employer expectations, familial obligations and countless others. For those who have chosen careers in the security sector, in addition to all of that is added the very real possibility of conflict and the potential for violence and even injury.
These sorts of pressures can lead to workers quitting their jobs or making damaging personal choices such as substance abuse, relationship break-ups or other unwelcome outcomes. To head off these problems it’s important to try and keep workplace stress from escalating beyond the breaking point, not an easy task for security workers (or really anyone in any vocation). But there are a few things you can do that help make the job a little easier, even on the darkest days:
Knowing it Exists: If possible, try and determine the cause of your stress, it may not be wholly workplace related, but come from some other outside source. Being able to identity the things bothering you is the first step in dealing with and developing a plan to reduce or remove them from your life. While it may seem obvious knowing what’s causing the stress can help you manage it.
Asking for Help: If a situation, place, co-worker or any other factor is causing stress look for support from whatever resources are available. This could come from your employer, family, friends, or colleagues – talking about it is a great way to process feelings and to get a handle on the problem while ideally building a personal support network.
Looking After Number One: You are the only person who has any real control over your life. It’s important to not be afraid to practice self-care. Taking care of your own physical and mental health first is the best way to be able to take care of others. Self-care includes everything from ensuring you’re getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and finding relaxation activities best suited to your time, budget and needs.
Personal Coping Techniques: Dealing with anxiety and stress (especially at work) can be as simple as stepping aside and taking a few deep breaths, allowing the time to process whatever is causing the concern. Once you’re back home whatever makes you feel calmer, stronger or valued – including meditation, music or other mindful practices are also encouraged.
Professional Help: Sometimes the task of dealing with stress is more than the individual can handle. Remember there’s no shame or dishonor in seeking professional guidance. In security the potential for PTSD, depression, or other anxieties are all too real. If you can’t do it on your own, then find the help you need.
These are just a few basic suggestions for dealing with workplace stress. As a security professional the first person you should concern yourself with is you, without you the job can’t get done.

Canadian retail operators lose more than $5 billion annually to shoplifting, a loss that impacts all aspects of business...
01/08/2026

Canadian retail operators lose more than $5 billion annually to shoplifting, a loss that impacts all aspects of business operations – including pricing, hiring and in some cases the very survival of the business itself. To help combat this escalating loss the need for qualified and professional retail security workers has never been higher – creating the perfect career opportunity for you!
Nanaimo-based Wise Way Security is actively seeking new members for its growing Asset Protection team, security workers who will be paired with clients within the greater Nanaimo area. In business for more than 15 years, Wise Way is recruiting fully licensed, hard working, and responsible security professionals for its growing team of Asset Protection Investigators.
Prospective candidates must have a current British Columbia Security Worker Licence with at least Basic Security Training (BST), those having Advanced Security Training (AST) would be preferred. Working with clients throughout the Central Vancouver Island region, Wise Way Security provides a range of security-based services from Loss Prevention and Uniformed Guard duties to the installation of CCTV and other security technologies – but thanks to the need, there has been an increasing focus on its retail loss prevention team in recent years.
Wise Way Security believes it fields the best asset protection team on Vancouver Island but is always seeking new teammates who can provide its growing list of clients with the best service in the industry. Contact us today to learn more.

The year is winding down and there’s no better way to bring 2025 to a successful conclusion than to have a safe and happ...
12/25/2025

The year is winding down and there’s no better way to bring 2025 to a successful conclusion than to have a safe and happy holiday season. From the management and staff of Wise Way Security we wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, and a joyous New Year. We look forward to continuing to serving you in 2026, all the very best during this special time of year.

“It’s like it’s a brand-new store!” That’s a phrase commonly heard around the Thrifty Food’s Longwood Station outlet the...
12/01/2025

“It’s like it’s a brand-new store!” That’s a phrase commonly heard around the Thrifty Food’s Longwood Station outlet these days, thanks to its extensive renovation project. Beginning last spring, the official reopening of the updated store took place November 27th, now that the final stages of its multi-million-dollar upgrade is complete.
Far more than a cosmetic facelift, the Longwood Thrifty’s renovation project included everything from enhanced lighting, widened aisles, new services, a fresh exterior façade, all designed to improved traffic flow and to make for a more enjoyable shopping experience for the operation’s customers.
A part of the Thrifty’s family for many years, Wise Way Security continued to provide in-store security and loss prevention services throughout the entirety of the project. Wise Way works at multiple Thrifty Foods operations in the region and is proud to work with our partners at Thrifty’s. Congratulations to Store Manager Byron Severs, and all the management and staff at Thrifty’s Longwood for the successful completion of this major undertaking.

A key part of the retail security sector, and one of the primary services offered clients by Wise Way Security, is that ...
11/25/2025

A key part of the retail security sector, and one of the primary services offered clients by Wise Way Security, is that of Loss Prevention Officers (LPO). Working within a retail outlet, wearing street clothes and looking like any other shopper, an LPO’s job is to remain as inconspicuous as possible, while watching for shoplifters or other unwanted activity.
Working in concert with the store’s regular employees the LPO will travel the aisles, often with a shopping basket or cart, watching for problems. The role and the sole function of the job is to deter and reduce theft. Loss Prevention Officers are fully trained and licenced security workers who very likely also function as uniformed guards at other locations, depending on the types and variety of contracts their employer has.
If working in a large ‘big box’ venue it’s possible there will be more than one LPO present, especially if the store has a functioning video monitoring system. These surveillance systems are used to identify criminal activity, to coordinate efforts to arrest those involved in the activity and to recover the stolen goods. Mostly however a single Loss Prevention Officer will be in the store, working alongside the in-store staff.
An LPO’s main function is to visually monitor suspicious individuals, often referred to as Persons of Interest (POI), while they move through the aisles. As the name suggests ‘Prevention’ is at the heart of this specialized service. By identifying individuals known to the guard, then encountering and safely escorting them from the premises, crime can be prevented before it takes place. Every store or retail outlet is different and will have specific needs and policies that must be addressed on an individual basis.
An ability to successfully deal with people is one of the skills required to be an effective LPO. Not merely a representative of the company they work for, an LPO also represents the client they are tasked to serve. Being able to interact with everyone in a professional, calm, unbiased and fair way is essential.
Having the skills and training to correctly observe and to write clear and concise reports should an incident occur is also essential. This includes having the communications skills and maturity to work alongside the police or other authorities in a professional manner. The LPO is there to work with the store’s staff, to free them to do their jobs without worrying about criminal activity, and to recover any goods that are taken.
An important security function, Loss Prevention Officers are one of the backbone roles in the Canadian security sector and is currently one of Wise Way Security’s primary services.

If you’re a licenced and experienced Security Worker (especially those skilled in retail security) Nanaimo’s Wise Way Se...
11/16/2025

If you’re a licenced and experienced Security Worker (especially those skilled in retail security) Nanaimo’s Wise Way Security has the position you’ve been looking for. Wise Way is currently seeking a vigilant and dedicated Loss Prevention Officer (LPO) to join our growing security team.
The ideal candidate will be responsible for safeguarding company assets, preventing theft, and maintaining a secure environment across retail and corporate facilities for staff and the public at large. This role requires a professional with exceptional observational skills, knowledge of surveillance systems, and a background in law enforcement or security operations.
The Loss Prevention Officer will play a critical role in deterring theft, investigating suspicious activities, and ensuring full compliance with company policies. Some of the aspects of this job include the ability to monitor store premises using CCTV and other surveillance equipment, to identify potential theft or security breaches, and to conduct regular patrols of the facility to deter theft and to ensure that all safety protocols are followed. The successful applicant will also be able to accurately document incidents thoroughly through detailed reports and to maintain accurate records of all security activities. – among many other duties.
An opportunity that can be adapted to the needs of individual applicants, Wise Way is seeking both Part Time, and Full Time Permanent LPOs to join its corporate family. Depending on experience the salary range for this position ranges from $19.75 - $25.00 per hour, with an expected time commitment of from eight to 40 hours per week.
Serving Vancouver Island businesses since 2014 Wise Way Security Inc. provides its clients with a full range of security services - including uniformed guards, loss prevention services and security technology installation. If interested in this exciting opportunity contact Wise Way Security today – your career is waiting!

When working in crime prevention sometimes it pays to change the rules – that was the premise behind the anti-shopliftin...
11/11/2025

When working in crime prevention sometimes it pays to change the rules – that was the premise behind the anti-shoplifting blitz Wise Way Security was involved with October 17th and 18th at the Port Place Shopping Centre in downtown Nanaimo.
“Where normally if our loss prevention team were to witness a theft taking place, they would respond by making the arrest and recovering the goods. But during the sweep at Port Place Mall, it was all about ‘Observe and Report’ – to allow the RCMP to make the arrest,” explained Wise Way CEO Warren Griffey.
Working in coordination with the police, and in concert with the shopping complex itself, four-person teams of Loss Prevention Officers (LPO) were deployed at the mall’s Thrifty Foods store watching for shoplifters.
If a theft was observed, rather than engaging with the thief the LPO (using radios provided by the RCMP) would announce that a theft had occurred, identify the individual, and provide pertinent information such as a physical description and direction of travel. Once the thief exited the mall plain clothes officers would swoop in and make the arrest.
“It was difficult not to act, after all that’s what we’re there to do, but the results were worth it,” Griffey said.
During the two-day shoplifting blitz, a total of 21 police files were generated, with 16 charges for theft under $5,000 being forwarded to Crown Counsel for consideration – according to information released by RCMP Media Relations Officer Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien.
Wise Way’s team were involved in identifying 10 individuals, while recovering more than $1,665.00 in stolen property (out of a total of $2,678.00 recovered), making for a very successful two-day event. Similar operations take place regularly on the Lower Mainland but are relatively rare occurrences on Vancouver Island. But based on the success of this blitz similar sessions are possible in the future.
“I’d really love to see this happen again, perhaps in other parts of the city,” Griffey said.

It’s that time again, Halloween, but today’s fun-filled night known for its costumes, candy, fireworks and hordes of del...
10/29/2025

It’s that time again, Halloween, but today’s fun-filled night known for its costumes, candy, fireworks and hordes of delighted children has origins that are both ancient and with a much more religious focus.
Held this year on Friday, October 31, Halloween can trace its roots to a pagan festival, the ancient Celtic celebration of Samhain. This was an annual event that routinely saw people light bonfires and wear exotic costumes to ward off ghosts and other evil spirits. Samhain (pronounced sow-in) was celebrated throughout Britain and Ireland and parts of northern France more than 2,000 years ago.
Samhain was held to mark the end of summer and to show appreciation for a bountiful autumn harvest. As the Celts linked the coming of winter to a time of death, they believed the ghosts of the dead would return to earth –providing the origins of the modern Halloween’s fascination with all things spooky.
Pope Gregory III in the 8th Century designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints and as a result ‘All Saints Day’ was created by Papal decree. Some of the traditions of the ancient Samhain celebration were incorporated into the ‘All Saints Day’ festivities. Prior to the introduction of ‘All Saints Day’ the event was known as ‘All Hallows Eve’, evolving into the name Halloween we know today.
Halloween came to North America with its earliest settlers, originally in the fledgling New England colonies, slowly spreading across the continent. As the beliefs and customs of the different European ethnic groups, as well as those of the First Nations peoples meshed, a distinctly New World version began to emerge. The first celebrations included “play parties”, public events held to celebrate the harvest, where neighbors would share stories of the dead, tell each other’s fortunes, dance and sing.
By the middle of the 19th Century the celebration, borrowing from long standing Irish and English traditions, saw revelers start donning costumes and go house to house asking for food or money, a practice that eventually evolved into today’s “trick-or-treat” tradition. Young women believed that on Halloween they could divine the name or appearance of their future husband by doing tricks with yarn, apple parings or mirrors.
In the early decades of the 20th Century the structures of the Halloween we know today had been established. Today Halloween is celebrated across the continent with North Americans expected to spend more than $13 billion on the event this year, making it among the largest commercial holidays after Christmas.
Regardless of how you celebrate it, the management and staff of Wise Way Security urge everyone to have a safe and memory-filled Halloween this year, but to be especially careful when driving on busy city streets cluttered with an assortment of ghosts and ghouls. Happy Halloween everyone!

During times as dynamic, changeable and uncertain as ours there is comfort to be found in tradition and in time-honored ...
10/10/2025

During times as dynamic, changeable and uncertain as ours there is comfort to be found in tradition and in time-honored events. They provide a sense of security, normalcy and peace of mind – with few being more cherished than Thanksgiving Day.
Held in Canada on the second Monday in October, Thanksgiving has been officially celebrated in Canada since 1957 when it became a statutory holiday, but its unofficial commemoration goes back much further. One of the earliest Thanksgiving celebrations held in Canada occurred in the 16th Century when English explorer Martin Frobisher gave thanks for having made a safe transit across the Atlantic Ocean, after having arrived in what is now Newfoundland.
While the Canadian Thanksgiving is celebrated in October the American Thanksgiving takes place on the fourth Thursday of November. The Canadian holiday is often considered less elaborate than its southern cousin as Canadians do without the large parades and other festivities associated with the US version of the holiday, marking the day in a more personal and subdued manner.
No matter how you celebrate the day, as always, from the Wise Way Security family to yours, the management and staff of your Vancouver Island-based, home-grown security provider wishes you and yours the very best at this special time of year.
We hope you get to share memories with your loved ones, enjoy the bounty of the season and create fresh memories to be celebrated for years to come. We wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving Day and look forward to continuing to serve you in the months to come.

As a regional provider of security services Wise Way Security salutes and supports the City of Nanaimo, which has offici...
10/05/2025

As a regional provider of security services Wise Way Security salutes and supports the City of Nanaimo, which has officially designated October as Emergency Preparedness Month in the city.
An annual salute to the region’s first responders, and an opportunity to put local emergency plans to the test, Emergency Preparedness Month has been developed by the city to deliver information to residents about how to prepare for emergency situations. This included being prepared for everything from a fire or earthquake to windstorms and power outages.
One of the first key events of the month is Fire Prevention Week running October 5th to 11th. This year’s focus is on the importance of maintaining fire alarms and the use and risks of Lithium-Ion batteries in the home.
On October 16th a province wide earthquake drill will take place during the Great BC ShakeOut. Local citizens can take part by registering at www.shakeoutbc.ca and by listening in during the drill on local radio stations 102.3 FM The Wave or 106.9 FM The Wolf. During an actual emergency radio stations will play a key role in distributing information. As part of the day the City's emergency alert system, Voyent Alert!, will be sent out. Residents can visit www.nanaimo.ca/goto/alerts to sign up for Voyent Alert! if interested.
As a security provider frequently in contact with emergency services, Wise Way supports the concept of emergency preparation and planning. It also understands the importance of being ready for whatever might happen, as planning and practice is the best way to keep our citizens safe.

When it comes to providing retail security the role has many names. Whether you call it a Floor Walker, Secret Shopper, ...
09/24/2025

When it comes to providing retail security the role has many names. Whether you call it a Floor Walker, Secret Shopper, Store Detective, Asset Protection or Loss Prevention Officer, the job is the same – to reduce theft in a business. Providing that service is one of the key functions Nanaimo’s Wise Way Security performs for its clients.
According to Statistics Canada during 2024 Shoplifting cost Canadian businesses $9.1 billion. In a statement from the Retail Council of Canada this represents a significant increase from the $5 billion lost due to shoplifting in 2018. This cost includes not only the lost merchandise itself but also how crime impacts store security, employee wages, and how it ultimately contributes to higher consumer prices.
In the United States the loss was more than $45 billion last year. Based on a year-to-year increase in shoplifting incidents American retailers anticipate that shoplifting could cost retailers over $53 billion by 2027. In 2023, there were 1.15 million reported cases of shoplifting in the US, the highest rate since 2019. The average shoplifting incident cost retailers $461.86 in 2020, a staggering loss expected to rise in the years ahead.
While Wise Way can and does provide its clients the option of a uniformed security guard (this summer for example Wise Way delivered round the clock uniformed security for a major dog show for an entire week) its undercover Loss Prevention service has become the service of choice for many of its clients.
What does a Loss Prevention Officer (LPO) do? In essence they watch, they try to identify any potential shoplifter, and if they witness a theft occurring, they intervene. An LPO dresses in street clothes and will walk the aisles just like any other shopper. The whole point is to blend in, to become part of the background and to respond at the appropriate time.
While in earlier times an undercover security worker might be more regularly employed in a higher end clothing store, today the same worker will be equally well employed in everything from a hardware store to a supermarket. The rising prices of just about everything from tools to food justify the expense of employing a security team. An LPO is also on site to allow store owners and managers to focus on other aspects of their business besides theft – and to provide peace of mind to the store employees themselves.
While the service has many different names the object is always the same, to make retail outlets safer, and to reduce revenue loss due to theft. If your enterprise is an ongoing victim of shoplifting, then perhaps Wise Way Security can help. Why not reach out today and let us help you develop a security plan for your business?

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PO Box 33
Lantzville, BC
V0R2H0

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+12509332217

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