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Bleachers

Stop Metal Theft in Parks

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Parks are where people go in the community to have fun and relax with friends and family. Sadly, there are people within the community who are ruining the fun by stealing metal from the parks. Unfortunately, more and more metal thefts are occurring in the United States. Parks are especially affected by this nuisance crime, and it needs to be stopped.

Parks are being targeted by thieves for the metal within the lighting systems, circuit breakers, but most surprisingly the bleachers and/or benches. Who would have thought bleachers were the target of theft?  But the bleachers are important, and this type of theft is becoming an epidemic. The community uses bleachers to enjoy the day at the park, or even to watch community ball games.  Cities are taking this issue seriously because it effects their budget.

The city must replace the bleachers that were stolen for the sole purpose of the metal, sold by the thieves as “scrap” metal. According to The Park Catalog, many states and cities have been victim to this type of crime. When bleachers are stolen it costs the city about $14,000 to replace the bleachers in the parks.

There are solutions to the problem of metal theft in parks.

Inform the community of the problem. The community is a very important asset to use to help stop metal theft. When citizens in the community are informed, they will recognize when the act of metal theft is taking place and will call to report the incident, giving information needed to prosecute.

Traditional surveillance does not stop the crime nor are images captured with the resolution needed to prosecute.   However, Park Vandalism Cameras, specifically designed to stop crimes such as graffiti, vandalism, and metal theft are essential tools in stopping this activity and providing prosecutable evidence that stands up in court.

Don’t compromise your parks, stop the metal theft.

Metal theft is the stealing of scrap metals

How to Stop Metal Theft

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Metal theft is the stealing of scrap metals such as: copper, aluminum, nickel, stainless steel and scrap iron, which are usually an essential element to a finished product.

For quick financial gain, scrap metal is usually obtained from various articles such as bicycles, vehicles, and playground equipment. Common favorite beleaguered sites are vacant houses, scrap dealer businesses and construction sites. Metal thieves have also been known to steal from railway sites, power plant sites, and well-lit sites like baseball and soccer fields. Sadly, thieves have even targeted metal from historic statues and the roof fixtures of churches and cemeteries.

Metal thieves mark areas that usually have a high amount of valuable metal. Places with plumbing fixtures or a high amount of copper wiring on light fixtures are potential victims to this growing problem. When the market crashed in 2008, there was an abundance of foreclosed houses and abandoned construction sites, which may have helped the recent rise in scrap metal theft. Metal theft has become a rising problem in the country, especially after the recession.

Cities face huge economic consequences due to metal theft. According to the Center for Problem- Oriented Policing “the cost of repairing damaged transformers or substations can run anywhere from $500,000 to $11 million”.

This crime is motived by the draw to the fast fix of cash. Drug users and organized thieves are prime motivators for metal theft.  However, the damage these thieves cause cost the cities more than the value of the metal they steal.  Organizations and government agencies should be seeking new ways to stop scrap metal theft.

Since the metal is less valuable than the fixtures or articles that contain the metal, deterrence is the most logical cost saving answer.  Stopping the crime before it happens.  Standard video surveillance and lighting will not stop the perpetrators.  Only specialized vandal resistance deterrent cameras can help stop the needless repairs metal theft causes.

 

Construction theft

Construction Theft – How to Reduce the Risk

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Construction theft is a major problem throughout the United States.  Equipment and tools are left at the site for convenience and if not protected become a target.  Here are some action points and ideas to reduce your risk.

30% -85% of the theft is from someone that you authorize to be on your job site. An article in allBusiness lists six bullet points to protect yourself from employee theft.

  1. Understanding The Job Site “Theft Rationalization Impulse”
  2. Adequate Background Checks
  3. Eliminate Easy Opportunities to Steal
  4. Honest Communication with Employees on Site
  5. Create “Employee Awareness” Programs
  6. Establish Regular Drug Abuse Checks

Point 3 from this article really sticks out.  It talks about ways to eliminate opportunities to steal.  It also mentions setting up alarms and checking your perimeter for access points.

Alarms are an effective deterrent against crime.  By setting up alarms around the perimeter of your construction sites, it reduces the total risk of construction theft, both by employees and by thieves outside your employee network.  Alarms cause an instant reaction in the mind.  Would be criminals in the offense are immediately placed in the defense, thereby giving them a second chance to rethink their choices of committing that crime.

Another effective means of deterring crime includes setting up visible security cameras within the same perimeters of the alarms.  If the security cameras are visible to the thieves, it will reduce the risk of construction theft by reducing the impulse to steal and replacing it with the fear of being caught.

An added benefit to installing cameras is you now have the resources to identify the construction thieves.  In MEMPHIS, TN, four men are accused of stealing millions of dollars’ worth of construction equipment .

Start being proactive and protect your equipment from theft.

 

 

 

Theft at construction site

Preventing Construction Site Theft

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Not surprisingly, theft is the most common crime in the construction industry. According to a study done by The Chartered Institute of Building, over 92% of respondents in the construction industry were aware of theft occurring in their company. Most of these thefts are the result of a lack of security when the sites are closed. An unsecured site is an open invitation to criminals so all measures should be taken to secure the site. While permanent sites can be properly protected via fixed surveillance systems, temporary locations such as construction sites require a more flexible solution.

The cost of being the victim of construction theft runs deeper than just the value of the items stolen. You also have to factor in the delays in work, the cost to replace materials and supplies, and the cost of renting or replacing equipment and tools along with the increased insurance premiums you’ll have to pay going forward.

It is critical to implement a game plan to proactively prevent thefts at your construction site. A solid security plan should involve multiple layers of theft deterrents and measures. The harder it is to access your site, the less likely thieves will target it.

A short-term investment will turn out to be very cost-effective in the long run. The cost of securing your site will be quickly regained through reduction in thefts. The cost of security is part of the cost of doing business in the construction industry.