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When you increase the incentive to thieves, your chances of getting your windows smashed rises, no matter where you’re parked.

The same holds true on your jobsite. No matter how high your fences, how many locks on your conex boxes or how many cameras, you’re making it easy for thieves to say yes if you leave a generator unchained 5′ from your fence line.

Never, EVER underestimate the brazen, reckless actions of thieves who got incentive from you to say “yes.”

Here are a few tips to make sure thieves say “NO” to robbing your jobsite.

1) Make sure all materials and equipment are stored securely in Conex boxes or with chains. Make sure by walking your jobsite everyday before close. Review your end-of-day security routine.

2) When possible, always add siren and strobe deterrents to your surveillance cameras. For many thieves, cameras alone aren’t effective deterrents. (See video + deterrents in action) For more, also read 6 Construction Video Surveillance Tips for Max Monitoring Impact.

3) Centralize storage in clear camera view, and with good security lighting that’s visible from the street.

4) Know the most-stolen items on your jobsite. Take special care with your:

Generator Security
Skidsteer Security
Trailer Security

More Security Resources:
Secure Jobsite Boxes: 4 Key Features to Look For
How Secure is Your Construction Security Fence? 11 Questions to Ask
Reducing Employee-Driven Job Site Theft
Pro-Vigil’s Jobsite Security Scorecard: 22 Questions that Measure Your Construction Site’s Security Vulnerability

Contact us today if you have questions about stopping jobsite theft >>

Don’t make your construction site a target for portable generator theft! This article describes 14 different ways you can protect your portable generators, divided into pro-active and reactive measures.


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9 Pro-Active Portable Generator Security Methods
We believe that the best time to fight crime is BEFORE it happens. These tips will help you stop thieves before they steal your generators.

1) Unload From Trailer and Secure Immediately
Have you ever found $500 just laying on the ground? That’s what a thief sees when you leave your generators loaded and ready to go on trailers. If you plan to store generators onsite overnight, always get them off the trailers and under several layers of security.

2) Secure the Trailers
If you have no choice but to leave them on the trailers, do everything you can to secure the trailer itself. This includes chaining the wheels, defensive parking, removing the hitch and more. Other suggestions in this article should help too.

3) Remote Monitored Security Video Camera Surveillance
Stop generator theft before it happens with live video surveillance connected to sirens and strobe lights onsite. When intruders enter with intent to steal, live security monitors trigger the strobes and sirens and then call the police if necessary.

This news report gives a good idea of the power of live, theft deterrent surveillance:

Further reading: 6 Construction Video Surveillance Tips for Max Monitoring Impact

4) Construct Generator Security Zone on Site
Centralize your storage within clear camera view – keep your portable generators, conex boxes, material pallets, and heavy equipment in direct view of your surveillance security zone. If you don’t employ construction surveillance then fence in your security zone and keep it well lit so that it’s visible from the road.

5) Install Appropriate Fencing
Good construction security fencing is the first line of theft prevention for jobsites. It’s more of a temporary deterrent, however and really only serves to delay intrusion rather than stop it completely. Fence height, barbed wire, size of mesh, the number of gates and the size of your clear zone around the fence all determine the fence’s effectiveness in preventing generator theft.

Further reading: Construction Security Fencing Checklist

6) Bright-White Security Lighting
Strong, white security lighting plays double defensive duty: it deters more cautious thieves and lights your jobsite at night so neighbors and passers by can see more brazen intruders. Be sure to position lights so that they don’t glare out onto the street, and remember to keep your generator security zone well lit.

Further reading: 5 Jobsite Security Lighting Tips

7) Chain and Padlock to Other Equipment
Like good security fences, chains and padlocks only delay theft – they can’t stop it. Sometimes delay is all you need though, especially if you utilize live video surveillance and/or leave the generators well lit and visible from the street. Be sure to weave the chain through wheels if possible, and attach to other heavy items that can’t be easily loaded by hand onto a trailer.

8) Defensive Blocking
If thieves can’t get to your generators then they can’t steal them. Block generators in with materials, other vehicles, or anything else on your jobsite that will make the generators awkward or difficult to get at.

9) Portable Generator Storage Boxes
If you generators remain on your vehicles then consider portable generator storage boxes which not only prevent theft but have handy cut-outs to enable operation.

5 Reactive Portable Generator Security Methods
Reactive methods, while lacking the impact of pro-active security methods, still pack a punch when it comes to potentially recovering stolen property.

10) Keep Detailed Records of Your Generator
Proving to the police and a court of law that a stolen generator was indeed yours requires good records. Record product identification numbers, make, model, year etc, take digital photographs, record the date of sale and retain the bill of sale.

11) Paint or Engrave with ID Numbers
Make it easy for police to identify who a generator belongs to – mark yours by engraving or painting on ID numbers or even your company’s logo. Make your mark big, bold and deep so the chop shop can’t remove it quickly.

12) Security Video Camera Surveillance
Security camera systems – without pro-active theft deterrents – can help you or the police to identify thieves after they have stolen generators from you.

13) Equipment Recovery Systems
There are several different recovery systems, methods and technologies available for recovering stolen generators. Check out the National Equipment Register as well as LoJack.

14) Monitor Craigslist and eBay After Theft
Just in case your generator was stolen by amateur thieves and not an organized crew, monitor Craigslist and eBay for a week or two after the theft. Police often do this too. Google offers a free “web band” scanner service called Google Alerts that monitors the web for you. All you have to do is tell them what sites to watch and what terms to look for. Monitor those sites for the make and model of generator you had stolen.

More Jobsite Security Resources from Pro-Vigil:
10 Skid Steer Security Tips: The Jobsite Thief’s Favorite Tool
Equipment Yard Security: 10 Tactics that Stop Equipment Yard Theft
Job Site Security: Establish Your End-of-Day Routine
9 Ways to Stop Construction Theft During Holidays and Vacations
How to Analyze Your Job Site’s Security Needs BEFORE the Job Begins
Reducing Employee-Driven Job Site Theft
Job Site Security: Establish Your End-of-Day Routine
Secure Jobsite Boxes: 4 Key Features to Look For
5 Security Lighting Tips For Your Construction Site
How Secure is Your Construction Security Fence? 11 Questions to Ask

1) Compressors: 15%
2) Portable Generators: 13%
3) Trailers: 13%
4) Skid Steers: 10%

This data helps GCs better secure their jobsites by adding extra layers of security to those items. However, ForBusinessPro’s findings don’t show one of the core jobsite theft tactics that we’ve seen time and time again. Protecting yourself from this single tactic will reduce jobsite theft attempts considerably.

Skid Steer Loaders: The Jobsite Thief’s Tool of Choice
Our experience shows us that the skid steer loader is the number one tool of choice for jobsite thieves… in addition to being the 4th most stolen item from jobsites (PDF link). First we’ll look at why, and then look at ways you can prevent thieves from using this handy tool. The bonus is that if you stop thieves from using your skid steers as theft tools they can’t steal them either. Skid steer theft prevention delivers multiple benefits.

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How Theives Use Skid Steers to Rob Jobsites
Even the toughest lock can’t stand up to a skid steer’s repeated bashing. Thieves use skid steers to open up “secure” connex boxes like sardine cans so they can get at the materials and equipment inside. Thieves also use them to load up their trucks with your materials. When you stop to think about it, there’s really not a more useful piece of equipment for smash and grab operations on a construction site than the skid steer. And since many jobsite thieves are insiders, they know how to use them well…

10 Ways to Protect your Skid Steers – and Your Construction Site
Here are the top ways to protect your construction site from theft by skid steer – one of the most common theft methods we’ve found on customers who contact us for construction video surveillance.

1) Construct a Skid Steer Corral
Build a jobsite security fence corral around your skid steers and other frequently-stolen materials and equipment. Sometimes a good fence is all it takes to prevent thieves from attempting to steal a skid steer.

2) Install Construction Surveillance Cameras
Nothing stops thieves like live video surveillance backed by onsite deterrents. At 18 seconds this video gives you an idea of the effectiveness of Pro-Vigil’s live video surveillance:

3) Park Skid Steers Defensively
Defensively park your skid steers in a “circled wagon” formation. This makes them difficult to access. Alternately, block them in with larger vehicles. Engaging blades into dirt, when possible, can also serve as a deterrent against skid steer theft by dragging and loading.

4) Chain Up Your Skid Steers
Chain your skid steers to each other or to larger equipment to immobilize them. Make sure to thread the chain through moving parts. This tactic won’t stop a determined thief, but it will certainly slow him down.

5) Add Skid Steer Wheel Locks
Skid steer wheel locks – also called boots – prevent the wheels from turning complete circles. This is the same device used by traffic police on cars whose owners have unpaid fines. Put it to use on your skid steers to keep thieves off.

7) Install Skid Steer Controller Locks
Like the “the Club” for autos, skid steer controller locks make the skid steer undriveable – even if the thief gets the key or knows how to hotwire skid steers. Skid steer controller locks come in small versions that only incapacitate one controller, and large versions that incapacitate both. Skid steer attachment locks are available as well.

8) Remove the Spark Plugs
For quick, effective theft prevention simply remove the spark plugs from your skid steers. No spark, no engine. This is not the most convenient method, but great in a pinch or over long holidays.

9) Establish a Key Control System
Equipment key management can go a long ways towards stopping unauthorized and illegal usage of your equipment. Especially your skid steers. Consider investigating a key control system so that your jobsite’s subcontractors and employees can’t steal a key during the day and come back that night.

10) Keep Skid Steers Well Lit
To deter thieves, keep your skid steers brightly lit and visible from the road. Thieves prefer to strike in the comfort of shadows. Don’t help them to relax. Drive by your jobsite at night to check on your security. Good construction site lighting can make a big difference in keeping thieves off of your skid steers.

Bonus Tip 11) Store Skid Steers Off of Trailers
Though this won’t keep thieves from using skid steers to rob your site, it will make it much harder for thieves to steal them. Leaving skid steers on their trailers is like leaving your front door open and unlocked during a week vacation – and all your major appliances boxed and ready to load up. Don’t make theft convenient! Unload skid steer loaders at the end of the day.

More Construction Security Resources from Pro-Vigil:
Secure Jobsite Boxes: 4 Key Features to Look For
5 Security Lighting Tips For Your Construction Site
How Secure is Your Construction Security Fence? 11 Questions to Ask
How to Analyze Your Job Site’s Security Needs BEFORE the Job Begins
Reducing Employee-Driven Job Site Theft
Job Site Security: Establish Your End-of-Day Routine
Equipment Yard Security: 10 Tactics that Stop Equipment Yard Theft
A Model Home Security Plan: 10 Tips that Prevent Burglaries
Job Site Security: Establish Your End-of-Day Routine
9 Ways to Stop Construction Theft During Holidays and Vacations

>> Highway Jobsite Vulnerabilities
Highway construction sites pose particular challenges to security efforts. Here are some of the reasons they are so vulnerable to loss by theft.

High Value, Easily Stolen Equipment and Supplies in Temporary Storage
Skid steers, generators and compressors remain the highest jobsite theft items year after year. Their prevalence – and the necessity of temporary equipment yard storage – make highway jobsites highly vulnerable targets for theft.

Proximity to High Traffic, On/Off Ramps and Interchanges
Thieves always look for fast and easy get aways. The closer your highway jobsite is to major on ramps, off ramps and interchanges to other roads the more vulnerable you are to loss by theft.

Lack of Electric Supply
Lights, video cameras, motion detectors – all these typically require electricity. Though there are solar powered options, a lack of electricity can severely limit standard security options.

Thieves Read the News
“Entrepreneurial” thieves keep up with the news to discover new theft opportunities. The burst of new highway projects in your area will have them licking their chops for the easy marks.

>> 11 Highway Construction Security Tips
Don’t succumb to the victim mentality – stop crime on your highway jobsites by following our security tips below.

1) Make One Person Responsible for Security
When the buck stops with a single individual you make your job as a manager much simpler. Give this person the authority and guidance required to implement and enforce an ongoing security strategy on your crew. Visit your site at night with this individual to see how well he has assessed and protected your machinery and materials. Further, this individual should be your contact person with the police and any business or residential neighbors in your proximity. Make these contacts at the beginning of the job for greatest impact on crime stopping.

2) Invest in Pro-Active Surveillance Technology
Surveillance cameras with remote guards and onsite deterrents provide the same crime stopping power of a guard at a fraction of the cost. Learn more about stopping crime before it starts in this news story:

Read more about Pro-Vigil’s proactive crime stopping surveillance >>

3) Protect Your Temporary Equipment/Supply Yard
Your temporary storage yard is the thief’s primary target. Fencing, lighting, motion detectors, surveillance cameras – it’s hard to take supply yard security too far. Keep it picked up and don’t let debris or materials pile up near the fence as this provides cover and access for thieves. Layer your defenses for the greatest security affect.

Read more about equipment yard security >>

4) Maximize the Impact of Your Security Surveillance
Make sure that you know and utilize the security zone created by your surveillance cameras. Be sure that this zone covers your equipment/supply yard as well as all access points, drop off points as well as the surveillance camera power supply.

Read more about maximizing the impact of jobsite surveillance >>

5) Prevent Theft by Employees and Subs
We see it time and again, across all industries. Employees, sub contractors and the employees of subs have the highest likelihood of becoming criminals on your jobsite. We hold that background checks and frequent drug testing make the greatest impact on reducing the potential thieves on your jobsite. As an additional security layer we recommend that you have “education” sessions with any new subs and employees so that they are aware of your 24/7 jobsite surveillance.

Read more about Reducing Employee-Driven Job Site Theft >>

6) Protecting Your Highway Job Site on Holidays and Weekends
Your highway jobsite is the most vulnerable during long holidays and weekends – typically at the break of dawn when law enforcement is least likely to be suspicious of jobsite activity. Remember to keep your skid steers OFF of trailers at this time, and be sure that all your vehicles are defensively parked. If possible, heighten your surveillance security at this time.

Read 9 Ways to Stop Construction Theft During Holidays and Vacations

7) Heighten Security During Equipment/Supply Drop Off
Thieves love it when they find equipment or materials loaded on trailers and ready to drive off with. Remember that during times of drop off and pick up your equipment and materials make excellent theft targets, especially to the insider thieves on your site. Ideally your pick-up and drop-off points fall within your video surveillance zones. This can put your GC in full control of he-said she-said conflicts between suppliers and subs.

8) Effective Security Lighting Strategy
Effective security lighting enables outsiders to identify faces at 100 feet. With proper illumination security lighting does not cast a glare to outsiders, nor does it create “pools” of shadows that allow thieves to park trucks or otherwise stage their crimes. Darkness makes thieves more confident – take this away with bright white security lighting.

Read 5 Security Lighting Tips For Your Construction Site >>

9) Establish an End of Day Security “Lockdown” Routine
An end of day security routine includes things like locking all access points, ensuring that all materials and equipment are locked down and that all conex boxes are secured. This must happen at the end of each day as often times your employee thieves make the site ready for their theft by leaving locks open or keys in or near the ignition of machinery. This routine is best enforced by the person you make solely responsible for jobsite loss prevention.

Read Job Site Security: Establish Your End-of-Day Routine >>

10) Post Adequate Security Signage
Highway jobsite security signage “advertises” that your jobsite is a poor target for theft. Large white or orange signs must communicate the layers of security that exist so that potential thieves, both jobsite insiders and outsiders, will see that you take security very seriously. Consider writing your signage in multiple languages.

11) Effective Highway Construction Site Security Fencing
Fences provide both physical and psychological crime deterrence benefit to your highway jobsite. Adequate fencing makes climbing difficult, includes barbed wire (especially in urban areas) and has minimal access points. Further, we recommend that employees park outside of the fencing, making quick, impulsive theft of small equipment and tools more difficult. Fences only delay intrusion though, so you will need further layers of security to stop theft on your highway construction site.

By layering the tips we outline above you can stop highway jobsite theft. This puts more profits in your pockets and reduces more than just the dollars lost to replacement. The hidden costs of highway jobsite theft include man hours for material and equipment replacement, increased insurance costs and the paper-work cost of handling police and insurance claims. Stop loss today by following our tips.

For more information on Pro-Vigil’s proactive crime stopping surveillance contact us today >>

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

>> 3 Types of Crime at Vacant, Foreclosed Homes <<
Understanding what types of crimes and criminals foreclosed homes attract enables prevention.

1) Foreclosed Home Burglary
Many items of value remain in foreclosed homes. Recessions spur those with latent, money-motivated criminal tendencies into action. Appliances are typically the highest value items remaining in foreclosed homes, but criminals with the right contacts can find buyers for cabinets, sinks, granite counter tops, toilets, pipes, windows and just about any thing else that reciprocating saws and pry bars can remove. Copper, despite the drop in price-per-pound, continues to attract specialized thieves as well.

2) Unlawful Occupation in Foreclosed Homes
Some criminals treat foreclosed homes as “safe houses” for all manner of illicit activity. Teens use foreclosed homes as “party houses” where they can drink and use drugs without supervision. Drug dealers and drug users alike search out foreclosed homes for conducting their trade – as do prostitutes and gangs. Vagrants commonly use foreclosed homes for temporary shelter.

3) Graffiti, Vandalism and Arson in Foreclosed Homes
Foreclosed homes attract non-commercially motivated destruction from graffiti and vandalism. Arson is another dangerous crime associated with high foreclosure rates – sometimes it’s commercially motivated by angry former homeowners.

>> 8 Security Challenges for Vacant, Foreclosed Homes <<
Securing foreclosed, vacant homes – and neighborhoods with high foreclosure rates – presents a number of significant challenges. Here are the eight vulnerabilities that we have identified.

1) No Electricity for Foreclosed Home Alarms and Surveillance Cameras
It’s typical that foreclosed homes have all utilities disconnected. The lack of electricity renders the fundamental tools of security – lighting, security cameras and alarms – ineffective.

2) Foreclosure Address Data Readily Available
The ready availability of foreclosure addresses makes it simple for criminals with commercial and non-commercial motivations to select their targets.

3) Geographically Disparate Sites
A bank’s holdings are spread out across a vast geographic area making routine security checks difficult.

4) Internal Theft: Contractor Access to Keys and Data
Insider thieves smell huge opportunity with foreclosed homes – they have access to keys, addresses and they’re familiar with routines. Internal contractors have proven to be especially damaging thieves.

5) Previous Owner has Motivation and Access
Previous owners are notorious for stealing or vandalizing their former property in acts of vengeance. There are many “gray area” periods in which the bank technically owns the property but the former owner still has access.

6) Neighbors Intimidated or Unmotivated to Report Crimes
In many cases neighbors become intimidated by criminal activity at foreclosed homes and fear of potential reprisal keeps them quiet. Sometimes it’s general disgust and lethargy that prevents homeowners from aggressively observing neighborhood activity.

7) Fewer Neighbors Nearby to Report Crimes
Neighbors are the best security a home has – with many neighborhoods decimated by foreclosure the potential observers drops below an effective level.

8) Foreclosure Signs Must Stay Up
Often times, local laws require that foreclosed homes post signs and/or board up the windows. These are clear signals to criminals that a home is a target for their desired activities.

>> 10 Ways to Protect Vacant Property and Foreclosed Neighborhoods from Crime <<
Despite the challenges inherent in securing vacant, bank-owned foreclosed properties we propose ten ways that banks, insurance agencies, property preservation companies and concerned neighborhood groups can protect themselves from crime.

1) Solar Powered, Live Video Surveillance with On Site Deterrents
Live remote monitoring – coupled with remote-activated deterrents – prevents crime before it starts. This video below demonstrates the preventative force that remote-activated sirens have on two potential vandals:

Solar powered live video surveillance with remote-activated deterrents stops crime without the use of outside power sources.

2) Maintain the Foreclosed Property
External maintenance sends a strong signal to prospective thieves. Remove mail, clean up trash from the yard, cut and water the grass, make windows opaque and perform other measures that make clear statements that someone still cares about the property. For neighbors of foreclosed homes it’s often advisable to take on some of this responsibility if the bank owner hasn’t stepped up.

3) Organize and Fund a Community Watch Initiative
We’ve written extensively on the power of a watchful community. We highly advise banks, insurance agencies and property preservation companies to establish or revive and grow a neighborhood watch program. We wrote Effective Neighborhood Security: 10 Strategies for Community Security Organizers as a guide for residents AND outside agencies seeking to reduce crime through empowered, active, aggressive neighborhood efforts.

4) Change the Locks Immediately
Property preservation companies typically change locks – ideally this happens as soon as legally possible to prevent former owners from illegally entering. Former owners often enter their former property to remove possessions, appliances, furnishings, and other items for sale that are no longer theirs.

5) Motion Activated Solar Powered Security Lighting
Motion activated solar powered security lights are commonly available on the market. Test several and then install them across your vacant properties. For neighbors of foreclosed homes we suggest installing and pointing lights on these properties to reduce any safe feelings criminals may have.

6) Establish Relationship with Area Police Department
In Atlanta, police formed a special unit just for patrolling foreclosed homes. Even if your area doesn’t have this level of police concern, it’s best that your organization contact and continue communications with area police. Appoint a single person responsible for building and maintaining a solid working relationship with the police and their response and concern will improve.

7) Contact the Neighbors and Enlist Their Help
If your organization is unable to organize, promote or reinvigorate a neighborhood watch then at a minimum you should drop by neighbors’ houses personally. This puts a face to a foreclosed property and makes people aware that there could be criminal activity. Further, it shows that your organization has an awareness of the potential for increased crime. On these visits you should inform them of what you’re doing to keep your property – and theirs – safe.

8) Suppress Address Publication and Signage Until Ready for Sale
If at all possible keep foreclosure data – especially addresses – off your website, out of news stories, and out of data bases until ready for sale. Lists of foreclosed addresses serve as “shopping lists” for thieves and greatly simplify their efforts. Though this will at times work against the need to market and sell your properties, it will prevent some potential crime by thieves who understand efficiency.

9) Realtors Record Visitors and Conduct On Site Security Checks at Close of Showing
Be aware that potential thieves may case properties before breaking into them – under the guise of interested buyers. They often work in teams and while one distracts the realtor the other unlocks a window or door for later access. Make sure that realtors showing foreclosed homes conduct security walk throughs at the end of a showing and that they record names – and ideally license plates – of all visitors.

10) Monitor the Local News for Reports of Burglaries
It’s easy in this digital age to plug into a flow of news that pertain to foreclosure burglaries – and foreclosure announcements – in your region. Google offers a free “web band” scanner service called Google Alerts that monitors the news for you. All you have to do is tell them what terms to look for in news stories and give them your email address.

For example, try monitoring for these terms:
[your city and state] foreclosure
[your city and state] foreclosure burglary
[your city and state] foreclosure vandalism

Let Google monitor the news in your area and then take appropriate precautions when foreclosure rates and foreclosure crimes increase.

>> 2 Other Relevant Security Resources <<
Recession Crime: 21 Ways to Protect Yourself from Recession Theft in 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.

A Model Home Security Plan: 10 Tips that Prevent Burglaries
“Neighborhood security requires – above all else – community participation. You’re only as safe and secure as your neighbors make you, which is why true neighborhood security requires an organizer. If you are the neighborhood’s security organizer, on your HOA’s security board or simply a citizen determined to make your community safer this article presents tools, theories, concepts and tactics for bringing true safety to those who matter most – your family.”

>> Citations <<
(1) Foreclosures in U.S. Rose 81%, Topping 2.3 Million Last Year Bloomberg
(2) White House forecast sees more job losses in 2009 Reuters
(3) Job loss puts 32% of home owners over the edge into foreclosure (PDF) FDIC

>> Foreclosed Home Crime News and Resources
Foreclosure Homes Invite Crime
There Goes the Neighborhood: The Effect of Single-Family Mortgage Foreclosures on Property Values
THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION: DECEMBER 2008
Fannie Mae Contractor Sold Appliances from Foreclosed Homes
Police fight a rash of vacant home burglaries
Man arrested in attempted burglary at foreclosed home
Foreclosure Fraud…How Desperate Times can Lead to Desperate Measures
Proposal: Give Foreclosed Homes to Cops
Sacramento police arrest two sets of boys in burglaries
Police Respond to Burglary
Bank-owned home values cut in half
Foreclosed homes in county open door to crime
Empty, foreclosed homes invite criminals
High number of foreclosure properties in U.S., LI: Vandals move in
How to discourage burglars from breaking into foreclosed homes?
Warnings to Combat Burglaries Carry New Urgency During Recession
Louisville man’s burglary case to go to grand jury

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

>> The 3 Basics of Rental Company Security
As in all disciplines, there are a few core areas of expertise and activity that will have drastic impact. Our first section outlines the 3 essentials of rental company security.

1) Make One Person Solely Responsible for Loss Prevention
Either hire or reassign someone who you can make solely responsible for loss prevention. Work with them closely to develop your loss prevention program. This is the person who develops and enforces your facility’s nightly lockdown routine. This person conducts nighttime and holiday security review drive-bys. This is the person who reaches out to neighbors and the police so that your company has a personal, friendly face. This is the person who stakes out customers who are late to return equipment. Set aggressive loss reduction goals and build in performance bonuses.

2) Loss Prevention Technologies that Stop Theft Before it Starts
Many security technologies focus on either recovery or post-theft prosecution. Loss prevention technologies head off thieves before they strike, meaning you have your equipment immediately available for rental instead of hidden in a temporary storage facility. Put your security dollars into loss prevention technologies such as remote video surveillance that includes remotely operated sirens and strobe lights.

Ideally your loss prevention technologies can stop crime before it starts:

Click here to stop rental equipment theft before it happens with live remote monitoring >>

3) Prevent Insider Theft
If you’re a thief seeking to mitigate risk and maximize return then you’re highly likely to seek insiders who can tip you off to specific vulnerabilities and opportunities. That’s why thorough employee background checks are vital, at all levels of your company. Make sure you’re calling and confirming all references and always trust your gut. Regular drug abuse checks are vital as well. Finally, implementing employee crime-stopper programs can go a long way towards helping honest people fight temptation and STAY honest.

Also see: Reducing Employee-Driven Job Site Theft.

>> Physical Security in the Equipment Rental Yard
Securing the physical environment of your equipment rental yard can go a long way towards preventing theft. Even if you’re not 100% unassailable you will still send thieves looking for a softer target. Here are some ways to stop loss from your equipment rental yard.

4) Maintain a Clean, Orderly Appearance
By maintaining a clean an orderly appearance at your equipment rental yard you send a strong message to thieves that you care. Thieves feel less safe in clean, orderly environments because they know that a disheveled, dirty and disorganized equipment yard means that the owners aren’t likely to be taking care of security. Keeping things clean and orderly will also benefit the impression your customers have.

5) Install Adequate Security Fences and Walls
The security barrier around your rental equipment yard must be at least 8 feet tall and topped with razor wire. Walls are far more secure than fences – there are stories at least once a month of fences getting cut. Walls however can hide internal activity so there is something of a security tradeoff. Minimize access and be sure that there’s no rubbish piled on either side of your barrier. Consistently remove any brush, trees or weeds that could give prowlers cover along your perimeter.

Also see: How Secure is Your Construction Security Fence? 11 Questions to Ask.

6) Install Bright White Security Lighting
Next to employee insiders, shadows are a thief’s best friend. Eliminate shadows completely using bright white light that doesn’t create a glare to outside observers. Lighting enables neighbors and passersby to identify threats, and creates enough light to positively identify intruders on surveillance camera.

7) Install Security Signage in Multiple Languages
Advertise your security technologies every 20 feet. Large signs are best, but smaller signs near the checkout (Smile! You’re on Surveillance Camera) will make a difference too. Say it loud and proud – this shows thieves that you are a risky target.

8) Crack Down on Loitering
Whether it’s employee friends or locals who congregate on the corner where your facilities are located, loitering leads to theft. Many cities have anti-loitering laws for convenience stores for similar reasons. Loitering creates cover for potential thieves. If possible remove any pay phones near your facility as these attract loiterers as well as people in illicit trades.

9) Install Strong Locks
This includes the locks on all your access points, as well as locking mechanisms for your most vulnerable equipment. Make sure your locks are resistant to freezing and other common methods for compromising security.

10) Establish and Assign Responsibility for an End of Day Lockdown Routine
A consistently enforced lock up routine at the close of business goes a long way towards stopping theft. Checking locks, checking lighting, checking alarms and video surveillance, checking the perimeter for access points – all this and more must occur every single day. Thieves often prepare the equipment yard before striking by changing locks or moving equipment slightly so that they can get better access. Think like a thief and you’ll be able to quickly create your routine.

11) Asset Management Technology
Do your rental vehicles ever get lost? If you’re still using a whiteboard to track and manage your rental equipment it might be time to investigate some asset management technology. Sloppy asset management makes it easy for employee thieves to flourish and makes it harder for you to recognize when thieves of any kind strike.

>> Jobsite Rental Equipment Loss Prevention
Your rental equipment is highly vulnerable on the jobsite for many reasons. Jobsite access is difficult to regulate. Jobsite fences and barriers are temporary and therefore less effective. Jobsites are often near major roadways, making getaway simple. There are a number of things you can do to help increase the security of your equipment when it leaves your hands.

12) Educate Your Jobsite Equipment Renters
Educating your equipment renters on how to prevent jobsite theft can help you to reduce the theft of your equipment. Here are a number of links you can print off or send out via email:

A Model Home Security Plan: 10 Tips that Prevent Burglaries
9 Ways to Stop Construction Theft During Holidays and Vacations
How Secure is Your Construction Security Fence? 11 Questions to Ask
Secure Jobsite Boxes: 4 Key Features to Look For
5 Security Lighting Tips For Your Construction Site
Security Questioning Tactics for Your Construction Site
A Pre-Job Checklist That Improves Your Job Site Security
How to Analyze Your Job Site’s Security Needs BEFORE the Job Begins
Job Site Security: Establish Your End-of-Day Routine

13) Provide Discounts for Jobsites with Theft Prevention Technologies
If your equipment renters decide to add pro-active video surveillance to their jobsite, your equipment will be safer. Why not reward this decision with a discount? Provide a financial incentive for your customers to keep your equipment safer and you will reduce loss over the long term.

14) Install Equipment Recovery Technologies
There are a number of GPS systems that enable you to track down your vehicles after they are stolen from your customers’ jobsites. An added advantage is that you can use some offerings in your own internal vehicle tracking program and they could potentially provide advance warning if someone has taken your equipment to an unscheduled location.

>> Rental Equipment Transportation Security: Protecting the Handoff
Equipment drops offs are especially prone to incidents of theft. There are a number of tactics you can employ to reduce your loss in these vulnerable moments.

15) Always Unload Equipment From the Trailer
Leaving equipment on the trailer makes theft fast and easy. Instruct your equipment delivery crew to never, ever leave equipment on a trailer when they deliver it. Instruct them on the basics of jobsite security and give them the authority to speak frankly with your clients about security vulnerabilities.

16) Ensure that Scheduled Drop Offs are Secured
All too often careless general contractors leave jobsite fences or barriers open for evening or weekend delivery and neglect to make allowance for securing closure. Instruct your delivery crew to never leave jobsites unsecured if no one’s there – otherwise you’re throwing your equipment to the wind. Be sure to reward employees who aggressively protect your security – any rewards you make will pay you back tenfold in loss reduction.

>> Late or Stolen? Preventing Equipment Theft by Fraudulent Conversion
Burglary is not the only methods used in rental equipment theft. Thieves increasingly use the cover of false identities to unlawfully rent equipment and steal it flat out.

17) Install Video Surveillance at the Rental Counter
Video tape the faces of each and everyone of the people who approach your rental counter. Digital video recording works best because you can store months and months of footage for future review. Make sure that your cameras shoot up from a counter level rather than down – this helps to view facial features even when thieves wear hats.

18) Install Video Surveillance in the Parking Lot
Install video surveillance in the parking lot so you can record each and every license plate that drives in. Make sure that all your customers and parking lot visitors know you have their license plates on camera – this helps keep everyone honest. This information will go a long way towards helping your recovery efforts.

19) Conduct Background Checks on All New Customers
Who’s the GC on the project they’re renting for? Who’s the owner of the project? Asking the right questions at the right times can go a long ways towards preventing theft. Always, always, always follow up with references. There are two times when you need to TRIPLE CHECK references – when your gut tells you there’s something wrong, and when you tell yourself there’s no way a potential customer could be a thief.

20) Conduct Checks on New Faces from Old Customers
A common tactic for thieves is to assume the identity of someone from a trusted customer. If you know your company regulars and someone new shows up always make a call to their office to make sure you’re working with an authorized company representative.

21) Get Aggressive With Service Thieves
Service thieves are the guys who rent equipment for three days and bring it back two weeks later – having used it hard the whole time. Get more aggressive with them by setting your “dogs” on them if they’re late. This includes aggressive phone calls, jobsite visits and, if the law permits, calls to the police. Cracking down on service thieves will help you with your turnaround time with fraudulent conversion thieves.

References
Equipment Yard Security: 10 Tactics that Stop Equipment Yard Theft
LOCK STEADY
Equipment Claims Adjustment
Theft is a major threat to your rental company
Won’t Pay for the Time? Now it’s a Crime Theft of Services Update
Equipment theft hits epidemic levels
Combating Rental Equipment Theft
Rental Industry Locks Down On Heavy-Equipment Theft
Heavy Equipment Theft and Solutions—Part 1
Prevent Theft In Rental Yard and in the Field
Lessons from an Equipment Thief

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!

Contact Pro-Vigil today for video surveillance that fights back. Watch the ABC News Report below to learn more about how we stop crime before it starts:

The Crime Wave of 2009: Facts and Figures
Richard Rosenfeld, a sociologist at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, told the New York Times, “Every recession since the late ’50s has been associated with an increase in crime and, in particular, property crime and robbery… Typically, he said, “there is a year lag between the economic change and crime rates.”

Law enforcement agencies report an increase in property crimes. “An October survey of 180 law enforcement agencies by the Police Executive Research Forum, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, found that 75 percent cited a recent rise in at least one category of property crime.”

Employee Theft Increasing in the Recession:
The Wall Street Journal reports that, “…employers are seeing an increase in internal crimes, ranging from fictitious sales transactions and illegal kickbacks to the theft of office equipment and retail products meant for sale to customers.”

Here’s a video in which we caught a framer sub contractor stealing from the jobsite >>

Unemployment Rates at 16 Year High:
CBS reports that “The nation’s unemployment rate bolted to 7.2 percent in December, the highest level in 16 years, as nervous employers slashed 524,000 jobs”

“You see a strong relationship between falling wages and higher unemployment rates for less educated men and crime rates that tend to go up,” Bruce A. Weinberg, an associate professor of economics at Ohio State University, told the New York Times.

Illegal Drug Use on the Rise:
Drug usage – a known fuel for theft and burglaries against businesses – is on the rise as well, as reported by the Kansas City Star: “We’re seeing an extreme uptick in the abuse of pharmacological drugs,” said Jeff Benz, a founder of Mainstream Kansas City Inc., an alcohol and drug rehabilitation and residential treatment center in Wyandotte County. “We have noticed it for several years, but it really became more pronounced in the last few months.”

Shoplifting Increases in the Recession:
CBS reports that, “The bad economy has been particularly hard on retailers, but now they are getting hit again — this time by shoplifters. There has been a shoplifting surge across the country.” In fact, “NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly and Mayor Michael Bloomberg said shoplifting is up 9 percent since May.”

21 Ways to Stop Crime Before it Starts: Protection Against the Crime Wave of 2009
Fortunately there are a number of ways you can stop crime before it starts at your business. This portion of the article investigates methods you can use to reduce and/or completely prevent the crime wave of 2009.

>>Business Security Basics
There are just some things you HAVE to do in order to keep your business secure.

1) Make Someone Accountable for Security
First and foremost you must make security a primary responsibility for someone at your organization. If there’s no one accountable – or if the person accountable is over burdened with other jobs – crime will increase. Give this person proper authority to investigate, question, research, devise and purchase security measures for your organization. This person should be in regular, security-related contact with law enforcement officials as well as the local community to discuss emerging threats and to look for ways to work together more effectively.

2) The Latest Security Technology Advances: Pro-Active Video Surveillance
Video cameras just records theft. Guards fall asleep and are underpaid to the point that they often become accomplices to crime. In a Pro-Active Video Surveillance System live guards watch your property through video cameras. When an unlawful intruder enters they trigger alarms and strobe lights that frighten the intruder away, before they commit a crime. See a video of a Pro-Active Video Surveillance System in ACTION >>

3) Appearance Counts: Invest in Keeping it Clean
Keeping up appearances is proven to send a strong signal to potential criminals that you are not a good target. People and organizations that are lax about appearances are also often lax about security. Though it gets expensive it is vital that you consistently remove trash, rubbish, weeds and graffiti from your property.

>>Preventing Employee Theft
In our experience stopping theft with live theft deterrents and video surveillance we’ve found that a large majority of theft is perpetrated by employees. Here are some tips on stopping theft by employees:

4) Conduct Adequate Background Checks on Your Employees
Make sure potential employees don’t have a history of stealing from their employers, and that all of their credentials and references are valid. Often times thievish employees make great impressions and seem very trustworthy on the surface. If something seems fishy be sure to follow it up aggressively.

5) Demonstrate an Ongoing Determination to Stop Thieves
Conduct nightly “lock down” procedures that show your employees that you’re aware and ready for the potential of burglary and theft. Habitually check your perimeters for access points and check all doors and make this a requirement for anyone in charge of security. Make it plain to each and every employee through word and deed that alarms and other security measures are in place at the end of every day. This will help to cut down on employees notifying more professional thieves of easy opportunities.

6) Open Communication with Employees
Recent studies of employee psychology revealed that: “simply sharing information with people and treating them with dignity reduces their inclination to steal in response to injustice.” Now if all this talk of “sharing” and “honesty” makes you feel like you’re in an episode of Oprah then find out ways to make the communications fit your style. However you do it, telling your employees more about why you’re making the decisions you make will end up reducing the impetus for theft in the first place… and it might help with morale too.

7) Create “Employee Awareness” Programs
In neighborhoods the greatest crime fighter is other neighbors. In your company it’s your honest employees who will be your strongest crime fighters. Encourage them to be aware of where and how theft occurs in your line of work. Inform them of some of the signs to watch out for and encourage them to share tips anonymously through a hotline. Consider adding an award program for theft reduction using a tenth of the budget you’d normally lose to theft.

8) Establish Regular Drug Abuse Checks
It’s an unfortunate fact that often times employees steal to feed their ever increasing drug habit expenses. Establishing regular drug checks will greatly decrease the number of potential thieves on your staff. Once it’s known in the worker community that you screen for drugs, the number of drug-using applicants will drop dramatically.

Also see: Reducing Employee-Driven Job Site Theft

>>Preventing Theft by Securing the Physical Environment
Crime prevention through environmental design is the art and science of securing the physical environment. There are many ways you can secure the physical environment of your business.

9) Provide Bright White Security Lighting
Adequate lighting is shown to reduce criminal incidents. Eliminate shadows completely using bright white light that doesn’t create a glare to potential observers. Lighting enables neighbors to identify threats, and creates enough light to positively identify intruders on surveillance camera. Lighting has the additional benefit of helping customers feel safer in parking lots.

10) Security Fencing to Limit Access
Security fencing is a vital layer to your security program. If the environment requires it, consider higher than normal fences, secondary perimeter fencing, a concrete footing around the base of the fences and even a solid wall.

11) Limit Access with Smart Locks and Access Card Systems
Smart locks and smart access cards can communicate with your activity tracking databases so that you know who has had access to your properties and for how long. With the appropriate technologies you can differ access rights for authorized users from location to location.

12) Adequate Security Signage
Security signage in multiple languages tells potential intruders that their theft efforts will meet with strong opposition. This communication, backed by one or two forceful interventions can spread the word that your operations are not good targets for thieves. Never underestimate the power of communicating to potential intruders that your security team is watching them remotely through surveillance cameras…

13) Conduct Routine Security Reviews
Are all your security lights operational? Have any trees or brush grown up nearby that could allow intruders cover or even a means to climb over fences, walls or other barriers? Are your employees appropriately challenging unknown, unexpected or suspicious individuals? If you’re in retail, are you regularly educating your employees on safely handling robberies?

14) Remote Locks and Non-Reproduceable Keys
Your operations should already have locks. There are other, more powerful locking technologies available though. Remote open locks require activation across the internet in order to open. Non-reproducible keys are manufactured in such a way that the keys are very difficult to open using a thief’s traditional methods.

15) Remove Pay Phones from the Vicinity
Pay phones encourage loitering. When people just “hang out,” robbers become more comfortable in loitering and gathering information that could make you more vulnerable. Further, loitering around your pay phones attracts all manner of illicit trade, which in turn attracts robbers.

16) Enforce a No-Loitering Policy
Get the police involved with loitering reduction. Train employees to notify authorities if there’s an unknown hanging around – especially if they are acting suspiciously. Many ordinances focus on loitering reduction as a means of robbery reduction.

17) Neighbor Awareness Security Program
Any neighbors to your operations can provide an excellent line of proactive defense. Go door to door to meet your closest neighbors and request that they keep an eye on your operations and report any suspicious nighttime activity. Even consider funding or promoting a neighborhood watch program.

>>Preventing Crimes in Your Neighborhood
Starting, joining or revitalizing a neighborhood watch is the most powerful way to fight crime in any community. We highly advise that security-concerned businesses join or start neighborhood watches in their communities.

18) Institute or Revitalize Your Neighborhood Watch
The National Sherif’s Association reports that almost 80% of first responders to neighborhood crime are your neighbors. Crime simply can’t take root in an alert and cooperative neighborhood.

19) Form Up Community Citizen Patrols
As an addition or evolution of your community watch program consider partnering closely with your local law enforcement agency and forming up regular community patrols by neighbors. Find and authorize people willing to volunteer an hour a week for a drive through the neighborhood with a cellphone at the ready. Make sure these patrols are well trained, unarmed and that the patrol members understand how to stay safe in the case that they detect suspicious or unlawful activity going on.

20) Organize Daytime, Neighborhood-wide Activities
Community events encourage natural feelings of neighborliness – and communicate to outsiders that a neighborhood has solidarity. Neighborhood clean up events remove the little bits of garbage and vegetation overgrowth that subtly tells thieves that an area is not well guarded. Monthly clean up volunteers can tackle regular maintenance issues as well as potential vegetation overgrowth or waste that provides cover for criminals. A neighborhood that keeps clean is less likely to seem like a good target to thieves.

21) Provide Basic Home Security Education to Your Neighbors
You’d be surprised how lax most people are about the most basic security habits. Locking front doors is an alien concept to some people. Bringing in your local law enforcement to lead a seminar on basic home security can be a great way to both educate and bring together your neighbors. Also there is a wealth of information available online that will help you to educate your neighbors about the best ways to protect themselves.

Also see:
Effective Neighborhood Security: 10 Strategies for Community Security Organizers
Pool Security: Stop Vandalism and Unauthorized Use at Your Neighborhood Pool

Construction Security Articles by Pro-Vigil:
A Model Home Security Plan: 10 Tips that Prevent Burglaries
9 Ways to Stop Construction Theft During Holidays and Vacations
How Secure is Your Construction Security Fence? 11 Questions to Ask
Secure Jobsite Boxes: 4 Key Features to Look For
5 Security Lighting Tips For Your Construction Site
Security Questioning Tactics for Your Construction Site
A Pre-Job Checklist That Improves Your Job Site Security
How to Analyze Your Job Site’s Security Needs BEFORE the Job Begins
Job Site Security: Establish Your End-of-Day Routine

More Security Articles by Pro-Vigil:
Convenience Store Security: 16 Tips for Preventing Convenience Store Robberies
3 Types of Auto Dealership Thieves + 10 Ways to Stop Them
The Electrical Substation Security Guide: Securing Grid Reliability Equipment Yard Security: 10 Tactics that Stop Equipment Yard Theft
Catalytic Converter Theft + 9 Ways to Stop Catalytic Converter Thieves
Stop Diesel Theft: 6 Ways to Prevent Diesel Fuel Thieves
Copper Theft Combat: The Top 7 Ways to Stop Copper Thieves

Our Sources on the Crime Wave of 2009:
Businesses Say Theft by Their Workers Is Up (WSJ)
Prescription drug abuse rises in recession (Kansas City Star)
Keeping Wary Eye on Crime as Economy Sinks (New York Times)
Unemployment Rate Hits 16-Year High (ABC)
Will Recession Make Cities Dangerous Again? (ABC)
Sheriff: Recession is causing crime increase (The Tennessean)
Study: Down Economy Sparks Rise in Workplace Theft
Recession draws amateurs to crime
Crime Connected To Economic Recession?
Survey: Growth of crime tied to hard times
Forklift used to snatch ATM from Montgomery bank

Since your equipment yard is a permanent set up – as opposed to most construction sites – you can really get a crime fighting advantage by “layering” some of the security tactics listed below.

1) Adequate Fencing
Depending on your level of unacceptable intrusions consider some alterations to your fencing. You could install an extra tall fence, or even a secondary fence all around the perimeter. Barbed wire couldn’t hurt… you. A concrete base can stop thieves from “lifting up your skirt” and getting in fill their bags with “loot.”

2) Live Video Surveillance
Adding a permanent layer of live video surveillance can really crack down on equipment yard theft. Add live theft deterrents like sirens and strobe lights and you will see thieves running off your property – literally.

Watch this video of our remote surveillance crew running thieves off with a burst from the onsite siren. You can see the thief running for his life at 00:18…

3) Security Signage
Signage that explains how eagerly you prosecute, video tape, shoot at, or otherwise run off intruders makes for excellent crime deterrence. When necessary make your signs bilingual.

4) Access Point Protection
How often do you change your locks? We hope you change them when you let disgruntled employees go. Do you have any unnecessary points of access into your equipment yard? If so you should fence these over. How protected is your main gait? If there’s a long drive up to it consider installing crash proof gates so that reckless thieves don’t plow their way through with a stolen vehicle.

5) Asset Management Technology
Do your valuable vehicles get lost? If you’re still using a whiteboard to track and manage your fleet it might be time to investigate some asset management technology. Sloppy asset management makes it easy for employee thieves to flourish and makes it harder for you to recognize when thieves of any kind strike.

6) Extensive Employee Screening
On that note of employee theft, we highly recommend extensive and ongoing employee screening and drug testing. We know this is not always possible, but we see it time and again that it’s insiders who lead to the majority of theft. This only makes sense – they know what’s valuable and they know where it’s stored. All they need is a buyer…

7) Effective Security Lighting
Thieves and other intruders love shadows. Be an enemy to thieves and keep your equipment yard free from shadows with bright white light. Be sure to keep from creating a glare from any areas visible from the street so that passers by and neighbors can see clearly onto your property.

8) Out of Sight, Out of Mind
You have to discourage those “impulse thieves” who are just driving around looking for a quick score. When possible lock your most valuable equipment inside your garage. If you can’t put it inside your garage then park it defensively so that it’s not easy to load onto a trailer. Throw a tarp over everything with conceivable value and when this isn’t possible chain it up.

9) Motion Detection
In certain cases a motion detector can make a nice supplement to other security measures. Hook them up to lights or, better yet, hook them up to your cameras so that they start recording when they detect motion. If you have live surveillance along with remote activated sirens and strobes you can run thieves off without ever having to call the police.

10) Conduct Nighttime Security Evaluations
Test your existing equipment yard security by driving by at night and thinking like a thief. Is there a shadow large enough to park a truck and a trailer? Are there trees growing near the fence, or pallets stacked up inside that could make a nice ladder? Most of all check your lighting and make sure that it’s bright and clear enough to spot a face at 100 feet.

If you’d like to discuss equipment yard security with one of our security experts please contact us today >>

This article first identifies the type and frequency of security threats facing critical electric substations, then outlines a layered approach to power substation security. It closes with a listing of the most effective security measures.

For more information on our substation security services please contact us today >>

>> Frequency and Type of Power Substation Security Threats
In 2002 Cigre conducted an international study of power substation security. Out of their 40 respondents 35 reported that they had at least one unauthorized intrusion annually. 11 of their respondents reported that their power substations had 11 or more intrusions annually. 10% of the overall respondents reported 20 or more intrusions.

The surveyed organizations reported that 32% of their annual intrusions involved theft. 27% of intrusions involved vandalism, graffiti and cutting/climbing security fences.

Our conversational findings from power substation remote surveillance installations are typically higher than those found by Cigre – possibly because of the increase in power substation copper theft.

>> A Layered Approach to Power Substation Security
A layered, systems approach to power substation security delivers the highest level of cost savings. Though the approach often requires an upfront investment in security procedure development and security infrastructure, the savings can be profound.

A layered, systems approach consists of these three levels:
1) Substation Threat Deterrence Measures
2) Substation Threat Detection/Assessment Technologies
3) Substation Intrusion Response Plan

1) Substation Threat Deterrence Measures
Threat deterrence at your substation includes physical deterrents like high fencing, crash-proof vehicle gates and smart locks along with the implementation of both policies and technologies that control authorized access. If you’re experiencing unacceptable intrusion rates at your substations then revisit your existing threat deterrence efforts and evaluate our list of most effective deterrence measures below.

2) Substation Threat Detection/Assessment Technologies
Your electric substations no longer have to rely on perimeter control as the first and last defense against intrusion. Motion detection, sound detection, live video surveillance and more represent the current technologies that effectively and economically detect and assess threats to your substations.

This video in particular illustrates what live video surveillance – coupled with onsite deterrents such as sirens and strobe lights – can do to intrusive threats. At 00:18 the offsite security monitors hit the onsite sirens and the intruder flees:

3) Substation Intrusion Response Plan
It’s vital that your organization implement an intrusion response plan in the event that an intrusion occurs. Who in your organization determines when and if to involve the police? How do your natural disaster and malicious acts response plans differ? What is your procedure for getting a substation back online in the event of a catastrophic intrusion? These are the types of questions that your response plan must cover in order to best protect the power grid.

The combination of these three layers of security minimize your potential expenses due to malicious intrusions at your critical power substations. Read on to learn more about the best methods and practices for stopping substation intrusions.

>> Best Methods for Power Substation Security
Defending your substation against intrusion requires multiple layers of substation security. The following list provides an overview of the most powerful intrusion deterrents currently available.

1) Live Video Surveillance with Intrusion Deterrent Technologies
Live video surveillance – in which security agents remotely monitor your substations via IP cameras – makes 24/7 security a reality. Coupled with onsite theft deterrents like sirens and strobe lights that agents activate remotely, live video surveillance stops malicious intrusions and delivers accurate assessments of all substation conditions.

Learn more about how live video surveillance with on site deterrents works >>

2) Limit Access Smart Locks and Access Card Systems
Access control for authorized users can pose a significant challenge without the right technologies. Smart locks and smart access cards can communicate with your activity tracking databases so that you know who has had access to your substations and for how long. With the appropriate technologies you can differ access rights for authorized users from location to location.

3) Employee Screening
Employees pose your greatest ongoing threat from theft – they know the value of materials at your substation and they are most familiar with your security vulnerabilities. Minimize your loss due to employee assisted theft by extensively screening your employees and choosing to do business with contractors who follow similarly stringent policies.

You may also appreciate a past article of ours: Reducing Employee-Driven Job Site Theft >>

4) Security Fencing
Security fencing is a vital layer to your substation security program. If the critical importance of a substation requires it, consider higher than normal fences, secondary perimeter fencing, a concrete footing around the base of the fences and even a solid wall.

5) Locks
Your substations should already have locks. There are other, more powerful locking technologies available though. Remote open locks require activation across the internet in order to open. Non-reproducible keys are manufactured in such a way that the keys are very difficult to open using a thief’s traditional methods.

6) Vehicle Barriers
Crash rated vehicle barriers can protect your power substation from vehicular attack. Depending on the physical layout and proximity to roads your substation could be at great risk to malicious attack by vehicle.

7) Adequate Security Lighting
Eliminate shadows completely and you’ll go a long way to deterring intruders. Bright white light that doesn’t create a glare to outside viewers provides the greatest security advantage to your substation. Lighting enables neighbors to identify threats, and creates enough light to positively identify intruders on surveillance camera.

8) Motion and Sound Detection
Motion and sound detectors can send alerts to security agents monitoring your substation at the first sign of intrusion. False alerts are high possibilities though given the open environment of most substations. These are best paired with security cameras through which remote agents can identify the potential threat.

9) Security Signage
Security signage in multiple languages tells potential intruders that their theft efforts will meet with strong opposition. This communication, backed by one or two forceful interventions can spread the word that your substations are not good targets for thieves. Never underestimate the power of communicating to potential intruders that your security team is watching them remotely through surveillance cameras.

10) Prohibit Non-Critical Storage and Staging
Never use your substations to stage or store non-critical materials. Storage of materials can create an even greater lure for thieves and incite intrusions that otherwise would not happen. When possible camouflage your storage of critical replacement parts.

11) Routine Security Review
Are all your substation’s security lights operational? Have any trees or brush grown up nearby that could allow intruders cover or even a means to climb over the fence? Do your electronic records match your written records of contractor visitation? These are the types of items your periodic review should cover.

12) Security Guards
Onsite security guards may be necessary for certain substations with high vulnerability, with high intrusion rates, that are staging construction materials, with proximity to special events or that have received specific threats. For less intensive situations security guards can provide routine night time security checks.

13) Neighbor Awareness Security Program
As in home security, any neighbors to your substation can provide an excellent line of proactive defense. Go door to door to meet your closest neighbors and request that they keep an eye on your substation and report any suspicious nighttime activity. Consider funding or promoting a neighborhood watch program.

See 10 Strategies for Community Security Organizers >>

More Substation Security Resources >>
Does Your Substation Security Program Make The Grade?
Security Guidelines for the Electricity Sector: Physical Security (PDF)
Substation Physical Security Trends – the 2002 Cigre study (DOC)
Electricity Sector – Information Sharing and Analysis Center
An Introduction to Systems Thinking (from Wikipedia)

Luckily the thieves who hit model homes have patterns, and there are many ways you can prevent burglary at your model home. We compiled our best practices and hope they help you to stop burglary at your model home.

1) Minimize Marketing and PR that Reveals Actual Addresses
Unfortunately those tour maps you made to lead people around to your model homes also help thieves plan their next burglary spree. As much as possible you want to take the physical addresses of your model homes OUT of your brochures and pamphlets. And if you work with a PR agency be sure that you don’t mention any addresses of your model homes in your local news coverage you get. Your website is another place to consider removing addresses. It’s true that potential burglars could get addresses by simply calling your sales office – and you can’t let burglary prevention get in the way of your marketing efforts. That said, there’s no reason to make it TOO easy for burglars.

2) Protect Your Model Homes with Live Surveillance Video and Crime Deterrent Technologies
Installing surveillance cameras outside your model homes could really help to deter crime. Especially if you have surveillance professionals watching the video and they can activate strobe lights and sirens to run off potential burglars. Below you’ll find an example of what prowlers do when sirens are activated:

If you’d like to discuss adding security surveillance at your model homes please contact us >>

3) Get to Know Your Model Home Neighbors
If your model home is in a residential neighborhood then you should drop by its closest neighbors and introduce your company. Bring gift baskets, shake hands and be respectful. Let them know that you’d appreciate if they’d call the police if they notice anyone at the model home after dark. Neighbors are the first and strongest line of defense in neighborhood security, and if they can put a face to your model home they will be much more likely to help protect you.

4) Remove and Reduce Model Home Signage and Other Onsite Advertising
If you’re having a home show event in a neighborhood and need to show your model homes then signs in the front yard are a must. Just make sure you take them down after the event is over, and if possible remove any signage around your development that indicates where the model homes are located.

5) Conduct Thorough Security Checks at the Close of Showing Days
If you’ve had ANY walk throughs in your model home then you need to do a security walk through before you leave for the day. This means checking windows, all doors, the garage door and any other access point that could have been unlocked. If you find anything unlocked or out of the ordinary then you know to call the police and ask them to swing by that night.

6) Keep a Descriptive Record of Prospects Who Tour Your Model Homes
It’s a good idea to keep some sort of record of the people who visit your house. Obviously you should be gathering phone numbers and email addresses, but these are easy to fake. Consider having your sales staff keep written notes of physical descriptions next to visitors, especially if you’ve had a rash of burglaries in your are recently. Recording make and model of cars would be good too, along with license plates are good. This isn’t always possible of course, and going too far could give your prospects the sense that you’re a little paranoid. If you’re paranoid that makes them paranoid and then they’re off shopping somewhere else.

7) Conduct Night Time Visits to Your Model Home
Most thieves strike at night. Visit your model home by night and try to look at it the way a burglar would. Primarily you’re looking for unlit areas that could conceal a burglar’s activities. Are all your lights lit? We’ve read of burglars visiting by day to unscrew light bulbs outside a house. Also, how much potential cover does your landscaping provide? If your model home’s privacy hedges conceal an area where burglars could load up a van then they may need to go. There’s nothing like a night time visit to see where you could be vulnerable.

8) Monitor the News for Recent Burglaries in Your Area
Burglars often strike in sprees – they work for a few nights and then lay low while they fence their goods and wait for the heat to pass. If you know that burglars are at work in your area then you can take extra precautions. One way to follow burglaries in your area is a tool called Google Alerts. You tell Google Alerts the keywords that you want to track and then they send you an email when these terms appear in news stories.

For example, if you’d like to track burglaries in Dallas you would type in:
Dallas Burglary

Here are some other examples for folks in different areas:
Austin Break Ins
Houston Model Home Burglary
San Antonio Home Theft
Fort Worth Burglaries

The idea is to think of the words that newspapers and police dockets would use to tell people about recent burglaries. Knowing that there’s an increase in burglaries in your area can help you to take extra precautions.

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9) Be Extra Wary on Delivery Day
Seasoned thieves know to watch and learn your goods and materials delivery schedule. Be especially wary on days when you’ve just delivered thousands of dollars worth of appliances to your model homes. As disgusting as it may be, think about it from the thief’s perspective for a moment – they don’t even have to take the stove out of the wall. It’s just sitting there in the garage, new in the box. If possible vary your delivery schedules, and be especially wary immediately after deliveries.

10) Other Considerations That Add to Your Model Home’s Vulnerability
High luxury model homes are obviously more frequent targets for thieves. So too are model homes that are somewhat secluded or set back from their neighboring homes. Nearby highways make for easier getaways – this puts thieves at ease and you at higher risk. If your model home sits in a development where the other houses are under construction then it’s at especially high risk because new home jobsites are already targets for theft.

If you apply the practices above to your model home security efforts you will see a drop in loss – and we’re not just talking the cost of replacing appliances. Model home burglaries cost you far more than replacements when your story gets in the news and frightens off your potential customers!

If you’d like to discuss your model home security surveillance plan with a professional please contact us today >>