Tips For Preventing Metal Theft

The price of scrap metal is going up, which means an increase in metal thefts. The California Farm Bureau offers some tips to help reduce the risk of thefts and rural crimes at your operation:

• Make sure there is proper lighting around storage areas and buildings.
• Keep a record of who has keys to your locks.
• Order only the supplies you need or will use right away.
• Provide employees with a communication system so they can quickly report suspicious activity.
• Lock and remove keys from all company vehicles when they are not in use.
• Always know who is on your property.
• Properly fence property and storage areas using a tamper-resistant lock.
• Talk to neighbors about suspicious people and vehicles.
• Block the entrances and private roads that lead into orchards, vineyards, and other fields.
• Make access to your property as difficult as possible to outsiders.
• Keep an accurate and up-to-date inventory of all equipment and major supplies so you know what you should have an what may be missing.
• Set up a system to routinely check your property for damage, vandalism, and theft.
• Report any criminal or suspicious activity immediately.
• Make it a policy not to give combinations or keys to anyone who is not involved with your company.
• Ask all delivery personnel not to leave packages or supplies without first contacting a designated employee.