Building material prices are up over 35% since 2020, and tools and equipment have seen a similar increase in price. Now that the building boom has come right on the heels of the pandemic, materials are harder to secure, lead times are out of control, and thefts are at an all-time high.
Security cameras remain one of the best ways to protect against construction site theft, but having a camera isn’t the same as having a construction site security system that works.
Since thefts cost contractors an average of $5,865 per incident, having the right camera setup is essential. Below are 4 tips to help you get the most out of your construction site security camera.
Place Cameras at Entrances and Storage Areas
Every entrance, storage area, and laydown yard should have at least one camera on it.
For optimal theft protection, cameras should be close enough to the area of interest that they can pick up details, but shouldn’t be within easy reach of thieves.
Get the Right Number of Cameras for Your Site
While a single camera may technically cover the whole site, it will miss important details and leave vulnerable blind spots. If the goal is to protect against construction site theft, cameras must provide detailed coverage of the site from every angle.
Our sales representatives can help you decide how many cameras you need based on the size of your site and areas of interest.
Use Real-Time Motion-Triggered Alerts
One night in March 2022, thieves in Denver, CO spent two hours on a construction site loading their SUV with valuable goods. Although the site had a camera, the theft wasn’t discovered until the next day. Real-time motion-triggered alerts could have tipped off the contractors or project manager at the very moment the breach occurred, allowing them to get the police on site before the thieves took off. Instead, they got away with $20,000 worth of tools and materials.
Not all security cameras on the market today have this essential feature, so look for a construction site security camera, like the SiteWatch PRO2, that offers real-time motion-triggered alerts delivered right to your phone, 24/7. If your system has this feature, make sure it’s turned on and set to alert the right people.
Implement Other Prevention Measures
Security cameras can help prevent construction site theft on their own, but contractors can optimize their site security by pairing cameras with other cost-effective measures.
Motion-triggered lighting can scare away thieves and improve a camera’s visibility at night, while prominent signs that say “surveillance in progress” and “trespassers will be prosecuted” will make thieves think twice if there’s also a camera within eyeshot.
Further enhance site security by following today’s construction theft protection best practices. Lock up valuable materials, add indelible markings to tools, install fencing, and park construction equipment strategically.
When implemented, these 4 tips will boost the effectiveness of your site security camera and help reduce your risk of construction site theft.
Reach out today to find out how the SiteWatch PRO2 can secure your site at less than the cost of the average theft.
For more information on construction site theft, read Today’s Best Practices to Protect Against Theft.
