Thieves target residential construction sites

October 2008 | Posted by Carolyn Pikoulas
According to professional homebuilders, police and insurers, larceny at residential construction sites across the country has increased significantly in the last two years. One big reason is because of the soaring prices of building materials, especially copper. The National Association of Home Builders estimates that the annual cost of theft to the industry has reached $5 billion.

To prevent theft, many builders have added fencing, gates, cameras and onsite security. Residential projects, rather than commercial, are particularly targeted because they are often easier to access. The situation is worse in regions where homebuilding remains relatively strong, like in parts of Texas, North Carolina, and New York.

But even builders who take precautionary measures are losing materials as thieves become bolder in a weakened economy. Stolen building materials often include wiring, piping, siding, lumber, equipment, shingles, bags of cement and bolts of insulation. Even doors, windows, bathtubs, and appliances turn up missing. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially if the homebuilder specializes in affordable homes for first-time buyers. Those thefts can cost thousands of dollars and will inevitably be passed on to the consumer.

Law enforcement officials say that many thefts are connected to organized rings. In July, police in Memphis discovered a hoard of more than $100,000 worth of construction materials when serving a search warrant as part of a narcotics investigation.

Several states have passed legislation to combat the problem. In North Carolina, for example, construction site thefts are now a felony offense rather than a misdemeanor, and carry stiffer penalties including jail time, restitution and community service.

To combat construction site theft, here are a few ideas used by other homebuilders:

• Install deer cameras that can snap pictures when they detect motion. They could at least tell you how the thieves are entering the site.
• Wireless security systems can page builders when thieves cross sensors strategically hidden throughout the job site.
• Some security cameras offer motion detection; license plate recognition; Pan/Tilt/Zoom features; an alarm that sends pictures to a command center, who dispatches a security officer
• Place GPS tracking chips on large tools and equipment
• Visit the site at night to determine where more lighting in needed
• Hire a security service

Source: NY Times Aug. 28, 2008