Encampments have become a fixed part of the landscape in parts of Surrey, Vancouver, and the Fraser Valley — and for property owners and businesses nearby, that shift has brought a specific set of risks that didn’t exist a decade ago. Vacant lots, unmonitored construction sites, and commercial properties adjacent to encampment areas see more break-ins, more fire incidents, and more liability exposure than comparable properties elsewhere in the region.
This isn’t about the people living in these conditions — it’s about a property management reality. Any long-term, unmanaged occupation of adjacent or nearby land changes the risk profile of a property, and that calls for a response built around visibility and consistent presence. For property owners across Metro Vancouver, a scheduled mobile patrol in Vancouver is often the most practical way to manage that risk without escalating tension or requiring a stationed guard around the clock.
Why Properties Near Encampments Carry More Risk
A handful of factors set these properties apart from a typical commercial or vacant site:
- Increased foot traffic and access attempts. Fencing and locked gates get tested more often when a property sits adjacent to an area with high transient activity.
- Fire risk. Open flames for warmth or cooking near a property’s perimeter, storage areas, or structures raise the likelihood of an accidental fire spreading onto private property.
- Material and equipment theft. Vacant buildings, construction sites, and storage yards near encampments are frequent targets for scrap metal, tools, and building materials.
- Unpredictable timing. Unlike typical break-and-enter patterns, activity near encampments doesn’t follow a predictable overnight-only schedule — it can happen at any hour.
None of this is a reason to avoid these areas of the city. It’s a reason to have a security plan that accounts for them.
The Cost of an Unmanaged Property
Property owners who don’t adjust their security approach in these areas tend to see the same pattern of consequences:
- Repeated minor incidents that add up. A single break-in or fire is rarely the story — it’s the slow accumulation of trespassing, vandalism, and small thefts that erodes a property’s condition and value over time.
- Insurance complications. Insurers increasingly ask about security measures for properties in higher-risk areas, and a documented patrol schedule can be the difference in a claim or a renewal.
- Liability from on-site incidents. If someone is injured on an unsecured property — whether trespassing or otherwise — the owner can carry real legal exposure, particularly if no reasonable security measures were in place.
- Delayed response to structural or fire issues. Without regular checks, damage or hazards can go unnoticed for days.
What an Effective Mobile Patrol Looks Like
A scheduled mobile patrol is built specifically for properties that need consistent oversight without a guard stationed on-site full time:
Randomized patrol timing. Predictable schedules are easy to work around. Patrols at varied intervals — including overnight and early morning — create the unpredictability that discourages repeat activity.
Perimeter and structure checks. Every visit includes a walk of the fence line, entry points, and any vulnerable structures, so early signs of damage, fire risk, or attempted entry get caught before they become bigger problems.
Documented visits. Each patrol is logged with time, findings, and photos where relevant — giving property owners a paper trail for insurance purposes and a clear record of due diligence.
Direct escalation. If a patrol identifies something that needs immediate attention — a fire hazard, an active break-in, someone requiring emergency medical help — guards are trained to escalate to the appropriate service immediately, rather than trying to resolve it themselves.
The Ex-Servicemen Approach
Ex-Servicemen Security has patrolled properties across Surrey and the Lower Mainland since 2001, including sites bordering encampment areas in some of the region’s more complex neighbourhoods. Our guards are trained to de-escalate rather than confront, and to treat every situation — including interactions with people experiencing homelessness — with the same professionalism our veteran-led company was built on.
We build patrol schedules around each property’s actual risk: proximity to encampment activity, history of incidents, fire load, and what’s stored or built on-site — not a one-size-fits-all route.
FAQ
Is a mobile patrol enough, or do I need a stationed guard?
For most vacant lots, construction sites, and commercial properties near encampments, scheduled mobile patrols provide sufficient coverage. Sites with a documented history of repeat incidents, high-value materials, or active construction sometimes warrant a combination of patrols and a stationed guard — we’ll assess this during a site visit.
Can a security guard remove someone from an encampment?
No. Security guards do not have the authority to forcibly remove people from public or private land — that’s a bylaw enforcement or police matter. A guard’s role is to protect the property itself, document activity, and escalate to the appropriate authority when needed.
How often should patrols visit a property in these areas?
This depends on the property’s history and risk level, but most sites see patrols multiple times per week at minimum, with overnight and early-morning visits weighted more heavily since that’s when most incidents occur.
What happens if a patrol finds a fire hazard or medical emergency?
Guards are trained to contact emergency services immediately and document the incident. Patrols are a monitoring and deterrence service, not a substitute for fire or medical response.
Protect Your Property With a Patrol Plan Built for Reality
If your property sits near an encampment area, waiting for an incident isn’t a strategy. A scheduled mobile patrol gives you consistent oversight, a documented record, and a fast response if something goes wrong.
Request a free security assessment and we’ll build a patrol schedule around your property’s actual risk.