The construction industry has boomed in recent years. Unfortunately, however, construction site theft has also been increasing and has become a major problem. Yet there are steps managers and other stakeholders can take to reduce crime. For example, a construction security tower can make it much easier to monitor sites and respond to criminal activity if necessary. Let’s examine strategies and tools that can be used to increase security.
Teach Every Employee to Fight Crime
Not all heroes wear capes. In fact, on construction sites, many of the heroes are wearing hard hats instead. Yet whatever someone’s background or job, they can play a vital role in fighting crime, including on construction sites. With proper employee training, you can teach your entire team to watch out for suspicious activities, such as someone casing your construction site. Installing a strong security culture will also encourage all your employees to lock up valuables. Besides materials, many thieves will steal tools and equipment, especially if they’re left out in the open.
Install Proper Surveillance Equipment
Even if your employees take site security very seriously, criminals may still target your building materials, tools, and more. It’s important to install security cameras and other surveillance equipment to keep an eye on the site. Installing traditional camera systems on a construction site can be difficult, and they may not be able to cover everything. Fortunately, you can now use a construction security tower to quickly and easily set up surveillance.
Don’t Overlook Cybercrime
When you think of construction crime, cybercrime may not be high on the list. However, a sound approach to cybersecurity is crucial for construction companies. Poor cybersecurity can play a role in construction site theft specifically. If someone hacks your computers, for example, they might disable your construction security tower. Or they could find information on upcoming shipments of construction materials and other supplies. Then, they’ll know when to strike if they want to secure the most valuable stuff.
In many cases, material costs, such as lumber, have risen substantially in recent years. This provides thieves with more incentives to steal. According to Statista, there were more than 11,500 burglaries reported at construction sites in 2021 alone. There are many more considerations when it comes to criminal activities and construction sites, so it’s wise to develop a holistic site security plan to mitigate risks and protect your building materials and other assets. Contact us today to see how we can help!