Protect your projects from criminal activity with proactive solutions that detect, deter, and respond in real time.
The construction industry is foundational to our economy—creating jobs, building up communities, and stimulating growth through infrastructure like residential housing, retail centers, and office space. It’s one of the largest sectors of the U.S. economy making up a roughly $2.1 trillion market.
It's no wonder that construction sites have increasingly become prime targets for crime. They face a multitude of security challenges from poor lighting to the number of access points to the sheer breadth and size of the jobsite. Those challenges and the lucrative nature of the industry create an environment where construction sites become magnets for criminals to trespass and steal.
Just this month, in Westmoreland County, PA just outside of Pittsburgh, criminals made off with a trailer and about 50 tools from a construction site. The tools consisted of saws and other equipment that was worth approximately $43,000.
If you think it’s just items you can throw in the back of a van or truck that are being targeted, one man in Statesboro, GA was arrested for stealing two skid steer machines off a construction site. Their total value was estimated at over $100,000.
Construction site security is a growing concern with serious repercussions. In fact, according to the National Equipment Register, (NER) the construction industry suffers a loss of over $1 billion annually due to machinery and equipment theft. Of those thefts, only 25% of the stolen machinery is ever recovered.
And it’s not just heavy machinery, tools, or equipment. With the price of raw materials soaring, things like lumber and metals are just as coveted. In Temple, TX criminals loaded up 23,000 pounds of copper wire onto a heavy-duty trailer in the very early morning hours before making their getaway. The total loss was $300,000.
There is no question that the theft of tools, equipment, and materials amounts to a huge financial loss. However, that is just the tip of the iceberg. When it comes to construction, there are perhaps no two factors more important and intricately tied to one another than timeline and budget. Equipment theft or theft of materials, along with vandalism, can create significant setbacks and delay timelines. Delayed timelines or temporary work interruptions can mean the difference between turning a profit or doing damage control with a bloated or even worse, a busted budget.
It's more important now than ever to make sure you have the right security strategies to deter crime and protect your construction sites. This includes security cameras as integral components to an overall successful plan.
Construction sites vary in size and scope. The larger the jobsite, the more potential entry points and vulnerabilities for unauthorized access. Physical barriers and fencing are imperative to securing the perimeter around a construction site. However, physical perimeters are just one side of the coin.
Security cameras can form a network of surveillance creating a virtual fence that monitors and protects the complete radius of the work site. The ability to monitor the entire perimeter simultaneously allows for earlier detection of suspicious activities which can lead to quicker interventions.
Another way security cameras ensure better response systems is through remote monitoring. Not only do surveillance cameras record and store video for playback and criminal investigations, but they also allow for real-time monitoring and alerts anywhere off-site that has an internet connection. This creates 24/7 visibility and protection, and allows for immediate detection of any potential suspicious activities the moment they happen.
When it comes to construction sites, lighting can often be lacking. This can create visual challenges as areas are harder to monitor and criminals can hide within shadows or darkly lit areas. Taking measures to ensure that there is adequate lighting and that all lights are in proper operating order can be a significant way to deter crime.
Surveillance cameras can also help mitigate lighting deficiencies as many cameras have low-light imaging technology as well as thermal imaging capabilities. This allows security teams to not only detect objects in the dark, but it can help weed out false alarms from relevant threats by distinguishing humans from animals or branches blowing in the wind.
The presence of surveillance cameras or mobile security units alone can be a visual deterrent to those looking to engage in criminal activity. It sends a message that the area is being monitored and that security precautions are in place. Bold and clearly visible signage warning potential trespassers they are being watched by cameras as well as indicating they are in a restricted area can help reinforce the message.
Security camera systems are becoming more than just passive tools for surveillance. They can now be integrated with motion detection capability so that any intruder detected can set off a chain of physical and audible alarms. Strobe lights can be activated along with alarms. In addition, loudspeakers can warn or interact with potential bad actors, turning what was once considered a passive security system into a more proactive one.
One of the best ways to secure high-value items is through multi-layered security that either slows down criminals or prevents them from trying altogether. You might start by locking up big-ticket items like machinery, power tools, and materials such as lumber, piping, and metals in secured structures or trailers, ideally positioned away from easy exits. Then, you could add perimeter fencing, motion-triggered lighting, and visible signage to discourage trespassers. The more barriers you put between your equipment and a potential thief, the less likely they are to even try.
Keeping track of materials and equipment by creating an updated daily inventory of machinery, tools, and goods can keep everyone aware of anything that has gone missing. Remember, theft can be done incrementally and over time in an effort not to create too much attention. By keeping a close eye on inventory, theft can be detected immediately, and measures can be taken to rectify it before further loss ensues.
Machinery and tools can also be tagged or outfitted with GPS trackers that can be activated if stolen. The trackers will give authorities live information as to their whereabouts—from their current movements, to where they ultimately end up. This can improve law enforcement’s chances of capturing the criminals responsible and successfully recovering the stolen equipment.
The stakes are higher than ever when it comes to construction site security. Unauthorized access to construction sites can cause work disruptions and project delays, and put employees and trespassers in danger. There’s increasing urgency for construction sites to take comprehensive and proactive measures to ensure that suspicious activity is quickly identified and deterred and that work sites are protected 24/7.
LiveView Technologies leverages cutting-edge technologies that are flexible, reliable, and easily integrated to create a full-scale enterprise security solution. LVT® Units can ensure you have remote surveillance around the clock with their full suite of features that will detect, deter, and defend against criminal activity.
Reach out to see how LVT can be a partner in creating your comprehensive construction site security plan.
