Sonitrol Security

Sonitrol Commercial Security Blog ... by Joe Wilson

 

  

How to Secure Your Vancouver Construction Site From Rising Theft

Posted by Joe Wilson

Jun 9, 2021 1:49:28 PM

Did you know that Vancouver construction sites are experiencing a rising number of thefts? In fact, the Vancouver Police have gone as far as actively encouraging construction companies to take extra precautions to prevent crime, following a spike in thefts on the city’s west side. 

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Topics: Security for Construction Sites

Excavator Theft and More - Tips to Protect Your Construction Site

Posted by Joe Wilson

Jan 20, 2021 8:31:50 AM

You may have seen the headlines last January or saw the post on social media, but this time last year Nanaimo RCMP and a heavy construction equipment contractor were dealing with the theft of a mini excavator stolen from a City of Nanaimo job site. Work had to stop on the sewer and water mains project while the theft was being investigated.

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Topics: Construction Security, Security for Construction Sites

How Sonitrol Protects Construction Site Assets

Posted by Joe Wilson

May 26, 2020 10:00:00 AM

“Over $15,000 worth of construction equipment has been recovered and a Hope man has been arrested after RCMP received a call from a resident about a ‘prowler’ at a local construction site. Earlier this month, Hope RCMP said they received a call from a resident about copper wire allegedly stolen from a construction site in the 300-block of Fort Street. The same resident called police again on April 10 to report someone at the site.” Apr. 29, 2020, The Chilliwack Progress

It’s great that in the Chilliwack case the RCMP was able to recover stolen property based on a resident tip-off, but that isn’t always the outcome...

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Topics: Construction Security, Security for Construction Sites

Construction Site Security in Western Canada: How to Minimize Internal Theft

Posted by Joe Wilson

Apr 30, 2019 11:00:00 AM

Employee theft – often times when we think about it, we associate it with stealing products and goods from the shelves of a retail store. However, employee theft can happen across many different industries - including construction

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Topics: Security for Construction Sites

Theft and Vandalism on Canadian Construction Sites is Becoming an Epidemic

Posted by Joe Wilson

Mar 29, 2019 11:00:00 AM

Across Canada, construction site crime is becoming a widespread problem for business owners, with $46 million in equipment being stolen every year and companies being subjected to an average of two thefts annually. 

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Topics: Security for Construction Sites

How to Reduce Risks on Your Construction Site

Posted by Joe Wilson

Sep 28, 2018 1:00:00 PM

Construction sites are often the target of break-ins, vandalism and theft. This is because there are a number of factors that make construction sites attractive to criminals, such as possessing numerous assets that can be easily flipped or used on a different site, limited security, valuable scrap, useful (and costly) materials, and many other things. 

As a result, construction crimes can be perpetrated by all levels of criminals from small thefts that aim at personal gain, to organized gangs and criminals who have a ready market for your equipment and materials. 

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Topics: Security for Construction Sites

4 Tips To Protect Your Construction Site This Season

Posted by Joe Wilson

May 31, 2018 11:24:21 AM

According to data from the National Crime Information Bureau (NCIB), as much as $1 billion a year is lost in the US due to the theft of construction equipment and tools. It’s estimated that less than 25 percent of stolen equipment is recovered each year. In other words, 725 million worth of equipment and tools is lifted from construction sites each year.

Construction season is in full swing. Make sure your equipment and property is safe from thieves with the installation of a construction site verified security solution

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Topics: Security for Construction Sites

How to Deter Criminals From Targeting Your Business

Posted by Joe Wilson

Jun 8, 2016 2:30:00 PM

If you want to deter criminals - having a quality, customized, security system is imperative. But it’s not the only thing you can do to make your business or property less appealing to thieves, robbers, and vandals looking for opportunities. It’s equally important to ensure your facility is environmentally unwelcoming to would-be intruders. You want to let criminals know that your business - whether an office, warehouse, retail store, or construction site - is not an easy target, and that their time would be better spent somewhere else.

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Topics: CCTV Video Surveillance, Security for Fenced Compounds, Security for Construction Sites, Verified Security Alarms, Restaurant Security, Security for Auto Dealerships

How to Avoid Copper Theft

Posted by Joe Wilson

May 17, 2016 2:30:00 PM

If you have any amount of copper in your construction site, compound or warehouse, you're vulnerable to copper theft. 

Copper theft is a growing problem in North America. In Canada alone, the cost is estimated to be in the many millions. Criminals are turning to stealing any bit of copper they can get their hands on - tearing out pipes and plumbing from walls, taking apart air conditioners, destroying street lamps, breaking into construction sites and more.

Vacant or unnocupied factilities and warehouses are particularly vulnerable to copper theft and the extreme damage repair costs associated with it. Therefore, it’s important to be proactive in protecting your valuable assets from theft, especially when it comes to copper.

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Topics: Security Tips, Prevent Copper Theft, Security for Construction Sites

5 Ways to Improve Security on a Construction Site

Posted by Joe Wilson

Mar 8, 2016 3:00:00 PM

During a construction project, there are always going to be security threats specific to construction sites that can be difficult to manage. Unprotected sites will have a high risk of theft of uninstalled materials, equipment (such as copper cables), and installed materials, such as copper wire & pipes that can be torn out of walls. You have valuable assets to protect and deadlines to meet, and so security for construction sites should be top of mind.

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Topics: Security Tips, SonaVision Online Monitoring, Security for Construction Sites

Commercial thefts spike by 70% in Calgary over 2014

Posted by Joe Wilson

Sep 18, 2015 10:03:20 AM

A few weeks ago, The Calgary Sun reported a spike in commercial thefts last year … by a staggering 70%!  According to Calgary Police, this unbelievable spike in thefts can be attributed to an increase in opiate drug use and the economic downturn. 

"Calgary has seen a reduction in marijuana, powder cocaine and crack cocaine demand and a higher demand for the opiate drugs, oxycontin, heroin and in particular the fentanyl drugs, which are highly addictive [and] very dangerous when you're coming down, which means you need to get another hit of the fentanyl again.” - Supt. Kevin Stuart

The combination of drug use and job loss has contributed to this huge increase in theft … creating a truly desperate criminal looking to support their use of a highly addictive and dangerous drug.

"Thirty-five thousand Calgarians have lost their jobs, which affects a lot more people than that, so that's a significant number of people in a city the size of Calgary out of work."  -Supt. Kevin Stuart 

Commercial theft includes construction site robberies, including new home build sites and fenced compounds, where valuable metals such as copper wire is stored.  In addition to theft of precious metals like copper, these new building sites are also vulnerable to theft of appliances like furnaces, air conditioning units, tools and hot water tanks.

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Topics: Security Tips, CCTV Video Surveillance, Prevent Copper Theft, Security for Construction Sites

What's The Best Way To Secure Your Construction Site Or Compound?

Posted by Joe Wilson

May 21, 2015 11:45:52 AM

 

Construction sites and compounds frequently have security problems, break-ins after dark, and employee pilfering during the day.

 

One of the best preventative measures I recommend to stop these types of crimes, is to install a remotely monitored CCTV camera surveillance system that will automatically trigger an alarm when a potential criminal event occurs. 

 

This is not a conventional CCTV system that just records what takes place, this is a Sonitrol construction security system, called SonaVision, that instantly relays or "pushes" the video stream to a 24/7 central monitoring station, where professional monitoring staff can view and assess if the activity is potentially criminal, or just a false alarm.

 

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Topics: CCTV Video Surveillance, SonaVision Online Monitoring, Security for Construction Sites, Building Access Control

How To Prevent Copper Theft From Your Construction Site or Compound

Posted by Joe Wilson

May 13, 2015 8:01:00 AM

 

Copper wire, copper pipes, or any other components made of copper, are a growing temptation for metal thieves hoping to take advantage of copper’s high value.  Some grades of copper can fetch almost $3 a pound, making construction sites, scrap yards, communications hubs and even hydro poles vulnerable to the threat of theft.

 

A pallet of copper wiring can be worth $6,000!

 

It’s an in-demand metal that is often left unsecured, and since stolen copper is difficult to track, thieves continue to target sites that contain this valuable metal. 

 

These recent local news features from Calgary and Saskatoon, highlight the ever growing problem.

 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/stolen-copper-showing-up-again-in-calgary-scrap-yards-1.3059804

 

http://globalnews.ca/news/1906573/copper-theft-a-growing-problem-saskpower/

 

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Topics: Prevent Copper Theft, Security for Fenced Compounds, Security for Construction Sites

Construction Site Theft Costs Millions - Plan to Reduce Your Risk

Posted by Joe Wilson

Apr 4, 2014 9:39:10 AM

I want to conclude my series of blogs about construction theft by sharing some construction industry data and facts. It's hard to put an exact figure on the total cost of construction theft to construction companies and contractors in Canada, but according to a report from Zurich Canada, we can safely say that the amount is severely under reported in the area of $46 million per year in insurance claims.

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Topics: CCTV Video Surveillance, Prevent Copper Theft, SonaVision Online Monitoring, Security for Fenced Compounds, Security for Construction Sites

How To Solve Construction Site Theft Problems? SonaVision Verified Video Security!

Posted by Joe Wilson

Mar 25, 2014 8:34:19 AM


My last few blogs were about the growing problem of copper theft, some of which occurs on construction sites. 
But if we put copper theft to one side, general theft on the construction site is also a serious problem and has to be solved.

The CBC recently reported that construction site theft was driving up home prices. Homebuilders for example, have estimated that new residential home vandalism and theft cost about $1,000 per home.  And if heavy equipment is stolen, the replacement cost could be in the $100,000’s of dollars.

Construction equipment theft is a heavy burden on the industry as a whole, which is largely comprised of small businesses, contractors and developers. Insurance claims don’t usually cover the full costs involved, and inevitably the extra costs gets passed on to the purchaser.

If you’re a general contractor, project manager, or construction site superintendent, the last thing you need heading into an aggressive spring construction season is the loss of valuable tools, equipment, and materials - not to mention having your trailers and storage compounds rifled through and damaged.

 

You might think it’s enough to have a fenced, well-lit area, with secure locked gates - but it isn’t.

 

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Topics: CCTV Video Surveillance, Prevent Copper Theft, SonaVision Online Monitoring, Security for Construction Sites

Sonitrol Is An Important Part of the Copper Theft Solution

Posted by Joe Wilson

Mar 11, 2014 11:58:00 AM

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Topics: CCTV Video Surveillance, Prevent Copper Theft, Security for Construction Sites

In The News: Copper Theft Is A Major Problem Across Canada

Posted by Joe Wilson

Mar 5, 2014 10:39:00 AM

 

"The cost of copper theft isn't just picked-up by the industries or businesses targeted by thieves, copper theft actually costs taxpayers millions of dollars too."


Copper theft is impacting all of us. As I reported in my last blog ( How To Prevent Copper Theft) , copper theft is even becoming an issue of national security. The media is reporting on copper theft almost weekly, and Police departments, such the City of Calgary now have an entire full-time Police unit dedicated to investigating metal theft. Businesses, governments and communities must now get serious about protecting their copper assets, and as taxpayers, we're all paying the price.

 

How Copper Theft Hits Municipal Taxpayers - What the City of Surrey is Doing About It

Cities across Canada have been plagued by copper theft, but closer to home, the City of Surrey recently announced they had spent $3.5 million over the last few years repairing street lights damaged by copper thieves.  In response to this high cost, the City of Surrey has now decided to get rid of copper wires in street lighting and replace it with a less valuable material. On February 25, 2014 the CBC reported on Surrey's $9 million spend for this new project. Based on predictions by Surrey's engineering department, it will take 8 years to payback the costs for copper theft.

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Topics: Prevent Copper Theft, Security for Construction Sites

How To Prevent Copper Theft | Stop Copper Theft

Posted by Joe Wilson

Feb 28, 2014 2:11:00 PM

 
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Topics: Prevent Copper Theft, Security for Fenced Compounds, Security for Construction Sites

Construction Site Security – The Technology Solution You Need To Know

Posted by Joe Wilson

Jan 27, 2014 5:37:00 AM

 

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Topics: CCTV Video Surveillance, Security for Fenced Compounds, Security for Construction Sites

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Joe Wilson, Owner of Sonitrol Western Canada

We provide our customers with the best commercial security solutions and quality service backed by our unique Guarantee and Commitment to Service. It's something unverified conventional alarm companies simply cannot guarantee!


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