The Impact of Construction Site Theft & Best Practices for Prevention

Construction site theft grips jobsites across the country. A recent incident resulted in $50K worth of theft. Another ended in a high-speed police chase. Meeting project timelines is challenging enough without these unexpected obstacles. 

Site theft is not only a significant financial burden. It also impacts progress and morale across the jobsite. A team could feel productive at the end of the day only to return to the site the next day and find their critical equipment missing, leaving them with no way to maintain their progress. 

Replacing this equipment is both costly and time-consuming. An estimated $400 million to $1 billion in losses accumulate each year because of construction site theft. Tools, heavy equipment, and building materials make up more than 60 percent of construction site theft. 

Unfortunately, these items are expensive to replace with pricing for construction equipment up more than 20 percent over pre-pandemic levels. And to make matters more costly, builder’s risk insurance premiums have the potential to increase when a site experiences one instance of theft. 

So, it’s no surprise contractors are preoccupied with developing comprehensive security plans – comprised of 24/7 site monitoring, threat deterrence, security dispatch and streamlined documentation, for example. All to protect sites and prevent repeat offenses. 

Contrary to popular belief, implementing these solutions does not have to be the rigorous endeavor it once was. Technology has come a long way. Let’s explore the key priority areas where contractors should begin.  

Priority #1 for Prevention: Invest in Reliable, Connected Jobsite Camera Solutions

Implementing connected camera solutions that offer uninterrupted 24/7 site monitoring is the first step. Cameras that are solar-powered and wirelessly-connected offer flexibility. They can operate without  on-site power or internet access. Continuous operation ensures that no incident goes unnoticed. 

Ease of use should also be top of mind for contractors. While the threat of theft weighs heavily on contractors’ minds, implementing security solutions shouldn’t consume all of their time. A camera that’s well designed for easy implementation should be up and running in 30-40 minutes. 

Detecting a threat is only half the battle. Cameras with TalkDown capabilities ensure deterrence as well. Site owners can communicate directly with intruders or record a message that plays whenever a security breach occurs. That feature, coupled with a visual warning, like a strobing blue light, acts as another deterrent. These two signals make it clear the site is closely monitored, decreasing the likelihood of intruders following through. 

Priority #2: Integrate Cameras with A Jobsite Intelligence Platform

While connected cameras help prevent instances of theft in real-time, connecting those camera feeds to a jobsite intelligence platform lets contractors review footage from all cameras simultaneously. This way, they can see what has happened or what is currently happening in real-time and help deter intruders. The platform can notify specific project owners when threats emerge so they can determine whether to call emergency services.

Jobsite intelligence tools also make it easier to document, validate, and use data for actionable insights. Contractors can review how many times intruders have entered from an area, see if intruders follow particular patterns, and catch repeat intruders. This helps them determine if they need additional barricades or cameras in certain areas. 

Watching all these feeds to derive insights takes time. AI-powered jobsite intelligence solutions, like Sensera’s SiteCloud, help consolidate all of the data generated on the jobsite and make it easier to compile meaningful insights. Contractors can search for specific instances, like a gate opening after hours, so they can intervene and contact authorities as necessary. They can also search for specific pieces of equipment to ensure everything is accounted for. 

A Simple Way to Maintain Security and Boost Jobsite Visibility 

When contractors deploy connected cameras and jobsite intelligence platforms, they gain insight into what’s happening across the jobsite at all times. 

Seeking out a trusted partner helps contractors identify the right solutions for their jobsite so they can enhance their visibility by searching for potential threats in real-time and analyzing past footage to help predict and prevent future crimes. This in turn, helps minimize the likelihood of theft and drive more secure and efficient projects.  

For more information on Sensera’s offerings click here.