Located in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Canada, the Downtown Eastside Women's Center (DEWC) in Vancouver deployed a HD megapixel surveillance system donated by Avigilon in late 2012 to create a safe environment for shelter users. The surveillance products helps create a safer environment by deterring and providing clear evidence of safety-related incidents in the vicinity of their emergency shelter.The center serves over 300 women, children and seniors daily and provides emergency shelter for up to 60 women each night.
Located in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Canada, the Downtown Eastside Women's Center (DEWC) in Vancouver deployed a HD megapixel surveillance system donated by Avigilon in late 2012 to create a safe environment for shelter users. The surveillance products helps create a safer environment by deterring and providing clear evidence of safety-related incidents in the vicinity of their emergency shelter.The center serves over 300 women, children and seniors daily and provides emergency shelter for up to 60 women each night.
"Many of the women who rely on our shelter are victim to physical abuse and threats of violence,” said Fiona York, Fund Development Coordinator, DEWC. “With the detail provided by the Avigilon system we can monitor our grounds closely and ensure the women who need our facility have a safe place they can go.”
The system was installed to meet the increased need for shelters in the winter months due to decreased temperatures and poor weather conditions. Along with the influx of users, according to Statistics Canada security is a major factor for women's shelters across Canada, as more than 71 percent of shelter users report physical abuse and threats of violence.
"The DEWC has provided assistance to thousands of at-risk individuals over the years,” said Alexander Fernandes, President and CEO at Avigilon. “Avigilon was developed in Vancouver and we strive to give back to our community by helping to make the city a safer place for our neighbors in need.”
The DEWC donation is the first of Avigilon's new corporate social responsibility program. With this initiative, the company will provide a set amount of HD surveillance systems to charitable organizations that demonstrate financial need and offer protection. The program is available in any country Avigilon has an office.