The Far West Equipment Dealers Assn. sent this reminder to its members earlier this week and it bears repeating to dealers across North America.

To protect your dealership from theft during this weekend, below are a few tips that may help.

Equipment Crime Warning Signs 

Be watchful of rental facilities, dealerships, farms and construction sites for activity that seems out of place: 

  • Trucks parked at rental yards and dealerships that do not belong to the company- especially box vans, U-hauls and enclosed race-car hauler type trailers.
  • Vehicles parked in vacant lots and parking lots adjoining closed industry businesses, especially with occupants loitering in the area.
  • Gates left open at industry facilities when it's clear the facility is shut down.
  • Late night or early morning activity inside a yard, construction site, farm or store throughout the holiday.
  • Heavily and hastily loaded transport trucks on roadways throughout the holiday.  

Contact local Law Enforcement (911) about any suspicious activity; being in the industry you know when something does not seem right -don't let it go

Be Proactive  

  • Ensure alarms and lighting are all operating properly.
  • If you are getting a high number of false alarms, thieves may be testing your responsiveness; watch for vehicles "casing" your property. Contact local Police.
  • Test cameras in daylight and after dark- are you getting usable images of license plates, faces, etc?
  • Make sure fences and gates provide a complete barrier to adjoining businesses and vacant land. Don't assume they are intact - Walk your fence line to be sure nothing has been tampered with.
  • Conduct a security survey of the yard and buildings- walk around the property to see if there are vulnerable points of access or cover.
  • Move light or highly targeted equipment into service bays or more secure areas of the yard.
  • Be sure where machines and trucks are parked does not provide cover to thieves.
  • Communicate with neighboring businesses, especially those which will be open during the holiday; raise their awareness so that thefts in progress are recognized. Be sure their staff has your emergency contact information.
  • Designate someone to check up on the facility at different times during the holiday- random activity at your location could spoil a thief's planning.
  • Don't leave ANYTHING on a trailer. Secure any trailers, whether loaded or not, so that thieves cannot use them to steal your equipment.