Masonry Magazine September 1979 Page. 14
THE HEAVYWEIGHT THIEVES
continued from page 13
Then the machine is sold at bargain prices compared to what a new unit would cost. Sometimes the equipment is stolen to order.
It may seem puzzling that an object as large as a loader, scraper or bulldozer can be stolen without attracting attention. The fact is that stealing is a rather simple task, considering how easy many contractors make it for the thief.
Usually, heavy equipment is left on the job site when work crews leave for the day. Security guards are too expensive for many contractors, and all too often, guards that are posted can be overcome by the thieves.
Although crews try to render equipment inoperable by taking the ignition key or making a few minor mechanical changes, such precautions rarely stop a determined thief. Machines chosen for theft are usually started by shorting ignitions, or by disassembling and lifting them onto flatbed trucks with a crane.
Tracking down stolen machines has been well nigh impossible, largely because of two factors: every equipment manufacturer seems to have his own system of serial numbers, and law enforcement officials have no idea what to look for.
General Contractor Losses in 1977
$328,600,000 in Equipment Theft
161,120,000 in Equipment Vandalism
167,920,000 in Material Theft
64,660,000 in Material and Vandalism Losses
$722,300,000 Total Theft and Vandalism Losses
Source: The Associated General Contractors of America
Balevic also sees a market for his data among financial and insurance organizations. In the absence of a title, a lender or insurer could register a vehicle with the data bank to prevent multiple mortgaging or insuring. To prove his point. Balevic cites a case in Florida where one man financed a tractor 100 times.
"Unless we solve this problem of theft," says Earl O. Christianson, corporate security director for J. 1. Case Company, "the government may attempt to solve it for us with costly licensing and additional regulations .. The industry cannot afford continuing losses that drastically affect insurance rates, job schedules, credit ratings and an individual's ability to earn a living."
One Manufacturer's Approach to Equipment Theft
People who steal construction equipment are not amateurs, says J. 1. Case, the Racine, Wisconsin manufacturer. To insure against equipment loss, Case offers these suggestions:
Immediately upon delivery of purchased machinery, the purchaser should ask the equipment dealer for assistance in locating and recording the product identification number (PIN) and the serial numbers of components, attachments, and parts of the machine. These numbers should then be filed where they are readily accessible.
Frequent inventories of equipment should be made to detect losses.
In the event of theft, the nearest law enforcement office should be called, even if very little information is available. Delaying the initial report could mean the thieves get away.
The dealer who sold the equipment should provide the investigating agency with a picture or illustration of the model reported stolen and the location of serial numbers. The law officer involved should enter the stolen equipment's PIN number immediately in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer along with all other component and attachment serial numbers, even though the nationwide NCIC system presently retains information solely based on the PIN number. Some manufacturers also provide their own "hot list" of stolen equipment for distribution to dealers throughout the U.S. and Canada. The dealer should also be asked to post a full description of the missing equipment in his shop.
The theft, along with all serial numbers, must be reported to the insurance company carrying the policy on the equipment.
Within 24 to 72 hours after the loss, a law enforcement agency (not necessarily the agency investigating the theft) should be asked to run an NCIC administrative check on the PIN number of the stolen machine. This check is to confirm that the product identification number has been accurately recorded. If the information has not been recorded with the NCIC, the agency investigating the theft must be contacted.
Periodic checks should be maintained with the investigating officers for any recent information on the theft.
Further theft can be eliminated or reduced by inspecting gates and fences surrounding equipment yards and job sites, checking lighting, and requesting police or sheriff's patrols to give extra attention to construction sites and equipment during weekends and evenings.
J. I. Case identifies its heavy equipment with these plates. Other manufacturers bave similar systems.
14 MASONRY/SEPTEMBER, 1979