VI. Management Protocols

FSGV is committed to the following management protocols to reduce the potential for harm or nuisance to individuals and property from the operation of Directions and, where necessary, to take appropriate actions to address problems within its control. For the purposes of this management plan, FSGV has defined the area of “neighbouring”, “nearby”, and “adjacent” buildings to refer to the areas in front of the Burrard Inn (1100 Burrard) and Burrard Health Centre (1144 & 1166 Burrard) and the perimeter of Directions Youth Services Centre at 1134 Burrard to refer to the front and rear of the building.

Behavioural Expectations of Clients

FSGV staff communicates Directions' policies verbally and through signage in the centre that clearly lays out a code of conduct expected from youth when accessing services inside Directions. Individuals who do not abide by the code of conduct are not permitted access to services at Directions and are connected to services more appropriate for them. FSGV staff follows an established set of risk management procedures.

The following behaviour/actions outside the perimeter of Directions and in front of adjacent buildings will not be tolerated:

1. Any display of violence towards others;
2. Causing damage to the Directions building or front of adjacent properties;
3. Dealing, use, or possession of drugs or alcohol in or around Directions, or in front of the adjacent buildings. Any drugs confiscated will be turned over to police. (Note: Youth will be permitted access to Directions when under the influence of drugs and alcohol, but are not permitted to exhibit behaviours that could be perceived as a threat to others).
4. Stealing from others;
5. Sexual harassment or assault of others;
6. Verbal harassment of others through racial or gender-biased slurs;
7. Engaging in criminal activities in or around the Directions building, or in front of the adjacent buildings; or
8. Using Directions to recruit others into criminal activities.

Safety and Security

As part of its commitment to operating a centre of excellence, FSGV has established the following set of protocols to ensure the safety and security of youth, staff, and the community. In case of immediate danger inside or outside of the centre, 9-1-1 will be called.

1. Interior Security: FSGV will maintain the internal security of the centre through architectural design elements which support security such as: the central reception area with double door entry way; interior locking systems; panic button; security cameras; and a pull down capacity for Directions that will reduce interior space usage for clients, as needed.

2. Exterior Perimeter Security: FSGV will monitor activities around the perimeter of Directions through the use of staff monitored security cameras and staff patrols.

3. Coordinated Neighbourhood Security: Prior to the opening of Directions, FSGV will seek to coordinate its own security efforts with the local business improvement associations, Vancouver Police Department, and security companies of neighbouring buildings. FSGV may implement further security measures beyond those identified in this plan to respond to emerging issues. The security plan will be reviewed semi-annually.

4. Police Liaison: The Vancouver Police Department will provide ongoing support to Directions through a police liaison, a mental health/police response car and their 911 system for volatile and threatening individuals.

5. Criminal Activity: FSGV will take appropriate action to intercede in cases of vandalism or other criminal activity, up to and including reporting the incident to police.

6. Harmful Waste Management: FSGV will monitor the exterior perimeter of Directions for harmful waste (syringes, needles, condoms, human & animal waste) and ensure that any harmful waste will be immediately removed and disposed of safely.

Nuisances

As part of its commitment to operating a centre of excellence, FSGV has established the following set of protocols to reduce the potential for nuisance to the community:

1. Loitering: 

• Process for youth admittance: Prior to being admitted to the building, youth will be screened for age and program qualification by staff at a 24-hour reception area immediately inside of the front doors, to prevent queuing outside Directions. Qualified youth will check in at the reception area and will be required to sign in for their program. The only entry point for youth into the building will be from Burrard Street. Youth may not access the building from the back entrance.
• Dealing with non-qualifying individuals: Those individuals who do not qualify for the services of Directions will be provided with resource information to connect them to other services more appropriate for their needs. Examples of such services include: health, mental health, and addiction services, services for over age homeless individuals, and other government resources.
• FSGV staff will communicate to the youth participants of the services, verbally and through signage, that the centre does not permit loitering around the Directions building and/or in front of the adjacent buildings.
• A member of staff will observe on a regular basis any loitering outside of the doorways and will ask people to move on or bring them into Directions, as appropriate.

2. Litter: Directions will ensure that any garbage around the Directions building will be removed in a timely manner.

3. Shopping carts & personal effects: Youth coming to Directions will be discouraged from bringing shopping carts. However, personal items, including shopping carts, will not be permitted to be left outside of the building; thus space has been allocated inside Directions for shopping carts, when necessary.

4. Pets: Pets will not be permitted to be left outside of the building. Pets will be kennelled inside the facility.

5. Noise: Directions staff will ask for a commitment from participants to respect the neighbourhood when accessing the services of the centre. This will include requesting that noise levels be kept to a minimum when accessing Directions at night. This will be done verbally and through signage in the centre that clearly lays out the code of conduct expected inside Directions as well as around the Directions building and in front of the adjacent buildings.

6. Disturbance: Directions staff will follow established procedures to deal with any individual causing a disturbance to the centre or to adjacent neighbours.

7. Smoking: Youth will only be permitted to smoke in the designated, ventilated smoking room while inside Directions.

8. Garbage: Garbage containers at the rear of Directions will be contained behind a fence and locked. FSGV will maintain an orderly and tidy appearance to the street frontage and rear of the building.

9. Graffiti: Directions will ensure that any graffiti on the Directions building will be removed in a timely manner.

10. Panhandling: Panhandling will be discouraged by inviting youth into Directions and asking non-qualifying individuals to move on.

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