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SAFE BUDDIES

Launched April 10, 2021

Helping you get home safe.

'Safe Buddies' help individuals feeling unsafe get to their destination safely.

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This program was created in response to a surge of racial violence during the COVID-19 pandemic and mounting concerns of street harassment. Stop AAPI Hate reported nearly 38,000 anti-Asian incidents just one year, of which physical assault was the third-largest category. In light of the Atlanta shootings and the rise of violence against Asian American seniors, as well as an incident in Vancouver where a woman was stalked, BOLT Safety Society launched this Safe Buddies program to help people get home safe.

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We've served over 850 clients to-date.

Safe Buddies service status: online

We are currently taking booking requests from community organizations working in high-risk environments and local events. Please send an email to safebuddies@boltsafety.org for any inquiries, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Request a Phone Safe Buddy

This is a non-emergency, advance-booking program for community organizations. If you are in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1.

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Phone Safe Buddies:

  • Stay on a call with the client from the start to the end destination
    Can call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency, and report the client's last known whereabouts

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Steps:

Book Safe Buddies for your next event

11,700+ people reached with event coverage to-date

We:

  • Create a safer guest experience by having a ‘Safe Buddies booth’ (designated safe space)

  • Can walk guests to their ride / bus stop / back home, etc after the event

  • Can call 911 in the event of an emergency or connect guests with crisis support services (e.g. sexual assault hotline, walk to the nearest hospital, etc.)

  • Can patrol the event and check-in on guest well-being

  • Are physically non-confrontational

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Please Note:

  • Booking confirmations are contingent on availability

  • This is a paid service, with rates starting at $240 CAD

  • Your final quotation depends on event size and duration (a fee breakdown is provided in the form)

  • Booking requests must be submitted at least two weeks before your event

Program Inquiries

 

Have questions for our team?​

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Terms of Service

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By using our service, you agree to adhere to our terms of service, which are as follows:

  • You are requesting our services at your own risk, thereby waiving BOLT Safety Society, its volunteers, partners and clients of any liability

  • You permit BOLT Safety Society to collect your information for the purposes of contacting you and providing services, as well as to share with volunteers, partners, or emergency response services (like the police) on a need-to-know basis

  • You understand that we reserve the right to refuse providing service at our discretion

  • You agree to inform yourself on, and follow, any rules and guidelines pertaining to COVID-19 as directed by the Provincial Health Authority and Government, as well as those for clients provided by BOLT Safety Society

  • You understand that BOLT Safety will strive to accomodate all requests for a Safe Buddy, but cannot guarantee this as service is contingent on availability at the time.

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Vetting Process

 

BOLT Safety Society makes the most efforts within reasonable means to provide a safe program experience for both our volunteers and clients. That being said, please note that you are engaging with this service at your own risk (as outlined in our terms of service). The vetting process for Safe Buddies may include an online application, interview, open-source background check, and a Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check.

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