Archive for January, 2009

Foreclosed Home Security: How to Protect Vacant Homes from Burglary

Friday, January 30th, 2009

It doesn’t take an analyst to recognize that home foreclosures, already high, will reach unprecedented heights in 2009. This also means a massive spike in crimes that inevitably accompany home foreclosures. These facts make the situation clear:

Bloomberg reports that foreclosures rose 81% in 2008 (1).

The White House forecasts almost 3 million jobs lost in 2009 (2).

The FDIC states that job loss puts 32% of homeowners over the edge into foreclosure (3).

This article answers two questions:
1) What can banks, corporate insurance agencies and property preservation companies do to protect their foreclosed home investments from burglary, theft and vandalism?

2) What can homeowners living in neighborhoods with high foreclosure rates do to protect their property values?

Table of Contents:
>> 3 Types of Crime at Vacant, Foreclosed Homes
>> 8 Security Challenges for Vacant, Foreclosed Homes
>> 10 Ways to Protect Foreclosed Homes and Neighborhoods from Crime
>> 2 Other Relevant Security Resources
>> Citations
>> Foreclosed Home Crime News and Resources
(more…)

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Free Passes to the Industrial Fire, Safety and Security Expo in Houston Feb 4-6

Wednesday, January 28th, 2009

Join us at the INDUSTRIAL FIRE SAFETY & SECURITY 2009 Expo in Houston. We’ve got free passes to the exhibit hall valued at $100. Please call 866-616-1318 or contact Kris.Brackin@Pro-Vigil.com to learn more.

You can also visit http://www.IFSSevent.com/

INDUSTRIAL FIRE SAFETY & SECURITY 2009
Houston, Texas from February 4-6, 2009, at the Reliant Center

INDUSTRIAL FIRE SAFETY & SECURITY 2009
Why is it The Must Attend Environmental * Security * Emergency Planning & Response Hot Spot?

Largest Gathering of Municipal, State and Federal Regulatory, Training Organization, Energy Company Operators and Industrial Emergency Response Leaders in North America. Approximately 1500 are expected in Houston.
Most Comprehensive set of “Real-World” Conference Sessions, programmed by the industry…for the industry.
Houston Places You Right in the Action, Discounted Hotels, Value-Priced Registration Options, and Valuable Pre-Conferences/Training Workshops.

Over 70 speakers, 35 sessions and experts over three days! Federal Regulators, State Agencies, Industry Majors, Responders and Contractors are all represented.

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Mean, Green and Lean: International Builders Show 2009 Round Up

Monday, January 26th, 2009

Pro-Vigil fielded a booth at the 2009 International Builders Show in Las Vegas. This was our third visit, and as usual we came home with new insights into the industry and a reconfirmed enthusiasm for our mission to end jobsite crime. Thanks to all of those who requested free 2009 IBS passes – it was great to see you out in Las Vegas!

From our conversations on the showroom floor we found that the 2009 builder’s show was mean, green and lean…
(more…)

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Rental Equipment Loss Control: 21 Ways to Prevent Rental Company Theft

Monday, January 12th, 2009

Rental equipment companies continue to face millions of dollars a year in loss due to equipment theft. In fact, insurers report that, “the volume of claims they see for equipment being rented by policyholders far exceeds the volume of rental equipment that they are insuring.” Thieves are simply more likely to target rental equipment because it’s less risky. With the coming recession crime wave of 2009 it’s more important than ever to stop equipment rental loss.

This article investigates all the ways loss prevention professionals can make it MORE risky for thieves to target both equipment rental facilities and rental equipment on construction sites. According to Jeff McGeary, senior vice president of sales, Allied Insurance Brokers, “the money you spend on loss prevention you will get back at least five-fold.”

In this article you will learn:
>> The 3 Basics of Rental Company Security
>> Physical Security in the Equipment Rental Yard
>> Jobsite Rental Equipment Loss Prevention
>> Rental Equipment Transportation Security: Protecting the Handoff
>> Late or Stolen? How to Stop Equipment Theft by Fraudulent Conversion
(more…)

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Recession Crime: 21 Ways to Protect Yourself from Recession Theft in 2009

Friday, January 9th, 2009

2009 will be a record year for theft, burglaries and robbery. People from all walks of life are more likely to give in to their criminal impulses during times of increased economic pressures. An understanding of the coming crime wave of 2009 is vital for businesses seeking to stop crime before it starts.

This article first investigates the facts and figures behind the crime wave of 2009 and then outlines 21 methods for protecting yourself from becoming a victim.

Be a hero by forwarding this article to friends, relatives and associates to help them protect themselves!
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Video: “Romantic” Christmas Day Trespassing Interrupted

Wednesday, January 7th, 2009

On Christmas Day around 11pm this couple decided to take a romantic walk after spending the day with family. Too bad they were trespassing…

At 23 seconds you can see the flash of our strobe lights in the trees after the couple walks out of frame.

At 30 seconds you can see the boyfriend rapidly outrunning his girlfriend on their way OFF the property…

What a gentleman.

This couple probably weren’t going to steal or vandalize, but they had no business trespassing there and they could have gotten hurt walking around there in the dark. Pro-Vigil – We Stop More than Just CRIME Before it Starts ;)

Also see: Video: We Run Off Unwanted Thanksgiving “Guest” >>

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Video: Vehicle Theft Prevented… in the Pro-Vigil Parking Lot!

Wednesday, January 7th, 2009

Our live surveillance pros protect the Pro-Vigil company parking lot. They watch through live cameras and then take action when necessary. On the night of November 15th, a little after midnight, some thieves pulled up to one of our employees’ trucks.

They thought they had an easy target…

This video is proof that we eat our own dog food… AND IT WORKS, TOO!

If you’re interested in stopping parking lot theft you might find this article useful: 3 Types of Auto Dealership Thieves + 10 Ways to Stop Them

Contact us today for more information on protecting your property with Pro-Vigil >>

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Contractor Settles Delivery Dispute with Pro-Vigil Video Documentation

Wednesday, January 7th, 2009

A Pro-Vigil customer came to us with a problem. His subcontractor didn’t receive a delivery of wire. The supplier claimed they made the delivery.

After logging into his online video archive, our customer wrote us back:

“Thanks, your camera system saved our electrical contractor from getting taken for 6000 feet of wire from their supplier which they claimed they delivered.  The video clearly shows they did not.”
(more…)

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