As construction continues to boom across the country, project sites become an alluring prospect for would-be thieves. Heavy machinery, specialized trade tools, and common construction power tools are highly desirable to criminals due to their high-value, and ease of resale. With tool theft on the rise at construction sites, what can be done to catch thieves red-handed? More importantly, can the risk of tool theft be mitigated?
How prevalent is construction site tool & machinery theft in Canada?
In the summer of this year, Police in the Halton region of Ontario were dispatched to the scene of a high-value theft, where over $200,000 in heavy machinery went missing. Sometime overnight from Friday June 24th to Saturday June 25th, a trailer containing four skid steers was stolen (1). No details on the suspect(s) and only a vague description of the towing vehicle was made available to the public; no arrests have been reported in connection to this crime.
These types of crimes have been reported in volume, from coast to coast throughout the year, with unsuspecting construction businesses feeling the brunt of the losses & project downtime.
In Eastern Canada, Kings District RCMP requested help from the public following a theft of power tools from a New Perth, PEI construction site. During the overnight hours on July 12th, a number of tools were stolen, with only a vague description of a vehicle seen in the area available to help track them down. (2)
In Western Canada, Red River North RCMP are attempting to track down the owners of over $80,000 of stolen power tools pilfered from multiple constructions sites in Manitoba. An investigation following a report of stolen tools from a construction site lead them to a property in Winnipeg where they had executed a search warrant & found the cache of stolen power tools. The tools were being stored inside of a trailer, which also happened to be stolen. (3)
The concealability and high value of both common & specialized trade tools make them coveted items; they are often easy for criminals to get away with, and to resell after the fact. Although the large form-factor of heavy machinery would appear to make them difficult to steal, that is certainly not the case for determined, organized, & well-prepared criminals.
Instances of construction site thefts have not been taken lightly by law enforcement, with some Police forces deploying all of the technology at their disposal to catch these criminals…
Durham Regional Police recently dispatched K9 units alongside their Air1 helicopter, to track down construction site thieves in Ajax, Ontario. With the thermal imaging cameras equipped on the helicopter, in tandem with K9 & uniformed officers on the ground, Police were able to locate and arrest the suspects attempting to hide in residential backyards. (4)
What steps should be taken to help combat construction site tool theft?
Taking steps to help in the recovery & return of your tools in the unfortunate event that they are stolen, and proactive measures to help prevent theft altogether is recommended to save the financial losses, project downtime, & stress associated with this criminal act. Here are some recommended steps to help slow down & stop theft, and most importantly, help mitigate risk the risk altogether:
1. Lock & store tools in safe areas
Storing tools in locked areas (such as sea-cans), in well-lit areas, & fastening/securing items together can all help prevent theft; making them more cumbersome to collect & retrieve makes them are less attractive for thieves to steal. Locking steering columns, tracks, wheels, & hitches is also recommended for securing heavy machinery & construction vehicles.
2. Take account of what is on-site & keep thorough records
In the unfortunate event that tools are stolen, records of serial numbers, VINs, and unique markings or descriptions makes recovery & return efforts by law enforcement more successful.
3. Mitigate the risk of theft by deploying proactive security measures
i. Effective security starts with a thorough plan:
-
Our Security Professionals work alongside your team to identify areas of importance, high-value assets & their placement or storage locations, access points, the threats & vulnerabilities of the construction site, logistical challenges to overcome, alongside many other critical details necessary to develop a strategic security plan for complete protection – utilizing our innovative wireless video security units & alarm systems, and industry leading monitoring service.
II. ‘Front line’ measures to prevent trespassing & theft:
-
Deploying high-visibility ‘No Trespassing’ & ‘Video Surveillance Warning’ signage helps prevent crime at the perimeter of construction sites. Alerting would-be criminals that their actions are being monitored, and that trespassers will be prosecuted is an effective means to reduce unwanted behavior & theft.
III. Live Video Monitoring for proactive deterrence of theft:
-
Our live remote video monitoring service is a proactive approach to construction security; actively monitoring the perimeter of the site for unwanted activity, and proactively preventing crime before it occurs. An individuals’ behaviour is closely monitored live from our UL Certified Video Monitoring Facility, to determine intent & to intervene when necessary. Voice commands are used to inform the individual that their actions are being recorded, and that Police have been dispatched to the scene. With an industry leading 98% crime deterrence rate, this is often enough to stop a criminal in their tracks.
IV. Immediate Police dispatch to crimes in progress:
-
As our team is monitoring live events, Police response times are faster, and the rate of apprehension & arrest is exponentially higher than other means of security.
V. Reporting & supporting evidence of on-site activity
-
Thorough incident & activity reporting provides proof of the efficacy of the security service. Utilizing our proprietary reporting dashboard, syncroReports, our team is able to actively inform and communicate the events that have transpired on site, and instantly provide court quality evidence in the event that theft or damage cannot be prevented at your construction site.
As construction tool thefts continues to rise across Canada, a proactive approach to security has never been more important. Our live video monitoring solutions & technology work in synchronicity to provide proactive protection for your construction tools & heavy equipment – avoiding grief, project disruptions, financial losses, and providing you with the peace of mind that your assets are safe & secure.
Resources:
- “Police investigating theft of $200,000 worth of construction equipment in Halton Hills”, David Lea, The Hamilton Spectator, June 28, 2022
- “RCMP investigating theft of tools”, Kings District RCMP, July 20, 2022
- “Missing power tools? RCMP discover hundreds stolen from multiple sites”, Kevin Hirschfield, Global News, February 14, 2022
- “Chopper video shows suspect being chased, arrested after theft at Ajax construction site”, Hannah Jackson, Global News, June 23, 2022