[papercreters] Re: Preventing Tool Theft

Best thing I've come up with over the years are sea containers. Reasonably secure, especially if you weld a lock box on the door so the lock can't be reached by bolt cutters. Then put some of those flammable goods stickers on each wall. It's a pretty brave thief who'll cut their way into a container with flammable goods stickers on it. I do know of someone who solved the problem of thieves cutting their way in by leaving a couple of buckets of petrol in the container. They didn't have any problem working out who it was, once they'd matched the right legs and arms to the appropriate torsos. Lucky it was in Papua New Guinea, where that kind of thing is acceptable, if you blow yourself up while stealing something it's your fault and the police just look the other way.

Trev

--- In papercreters@yahoogroups.com, Garth & Kim Travis <gartht@...> wrote:
>
> Greetings,
> I found my local cops useless as well. When my tractor was stolen, I
> had to fill out the report three times, as they kept filing in the
> circular file. My insurance company couldn't get a copy before they
> chucked it. At the time, we were immigrants, no green cards yet, just
> work permits. We got zero protection from the law.
>
> My theft problems stopped when we brought Miss Dusty home. She is half
> coyote and every scum bucket in the neighborhood is terrified of her.
>
> I did have my pretty pink tools stolen, it didn't help. These days, it
> is rare the farm has no one here, that also helps.
>
> Bright Blessings,
> Garth & Kim Travis
> www.TheRoseColoredForest.com
> Bedias, Texas
>
> On 11/9/2012 11:45 AM, spaceman wrote:
> > When I was burglarized five times in six weeks, the best the county
> > mounties did was take a cell phone photo of a tire track. They reduced
> > my extensive list of $15,000 worth of tools and electronics to a one
> > line - "various tools and appliances" and the detective assigned to the
> > case never contacted me or returned my calls. The fifth time I had them
> > out here a supervisor showed up with the rookies and said he had noticed
> > I had been hit five times and he thought he might should come by.
> > Knowing through the grapevine about which gang it was and even where
> > they live, I tried to get some action and answers for why nothing is
> > done with the common knowledge. These thieves set up at the local flea
> > markets and I have found some of my tools there. After some discussion
> > he started threatening me, saying "right now we are treating you as a
> > victim, but that could change." I invited him and his clowns to gtf off
> > my property and never come back. Someday I'll come home and catch the
> > thieves here, and I will be armed and dangerous. Oh, they stole my
> > security cams, too!
> >
> > My neighbors didn't know I lived here for several years. I don't think I
> > can count on neighborhood watch :(
> >
> >
> > On 11/9/2012 9:53 AM, JayH wrote:
> >> Perhaps you need to contact your local constabularies and create a neighborhood watch?
> >>
> >> If you all had an email list, you could give each other a quick heads up when something happens, and alert others when you expect deliveries so you can watch for suspicious vehicles.
> >>
> >> If your construction site, or your neighborhood has a single road for access, what about setting up a hidden camera that would take a photo of every vehicle that passes on the road? It's best if you position the camera to get a good view of license plates. If the cops have a photo of a vehicle and it's license plate that was taken the night of the theft, they can go knock on the door of the vehicle owner the next day, and often catch them still in possession of the goods. Nothing stops thieves faster than getting busted.
> >>
> >> Motion Detector cameras are available for under $100 now.
> >>
> >> (Those cameras are also great at capturing wildlife.)
> >>
> >>
> >> --- Inpapercreters@yahoogroups.com, JUDITH WILLIAMS<williams_judith@> wrote:
> >>> My neighbor ordered one of those large metal buildings to be delivered. The truck off loaded a huge amount of steel siding/roofing. The next day it was gone. My local connection told me that guys park on the side of the road and when they see a big truck loaded with stuff go by they follow it and return later to load it up. They usually already have a buyer for it or they score a nice new barn for themselves.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Follow progress on the new project on my papercrete Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Papercrete/390380804327169
> >>>
> >>> More papercrete info athttp://squidoo.com/papercretebyjudith
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> To:papercreters@yahoogroups.com
> >>> From: slurryguy@
> >>> Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2012 16:21:29 +0000
> >>> Subject: [papercreters] Preventing Tool Theft
> >>>
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> >>> Considering the discussion in other threads, I thought it would be appropriate to create a new thread about tool theft.
> >>> More specifically preventing tool theft.
> >>>
> >>> Thieves specifically target construction sites as prime locations get tools and valuable construction components. Most construction sites are frequented by trucks load and unloading things, so it does not seem particularly suspicious for some thieves to show up and throw a bunch of tools in a truck and take off.
> >>> That's why it is so important that one of the first tasks in undertaking any construction project is to create a very secure location to store tools.
> >>> I offer the following suggestions:
> >>>
> >>> Be extremely diligent about not leaving tools laying around the worksite. They are eye candy for thieves. You also will have a safer worksite, and will more easily be able to find your tools when you need them if you don't leave them laying around.The above suggestion includes not leaving tools laying around visible in your truck or other vehicle. Get or build a toolbox or truck bed cover with quality lock. This will discourage the casual thief, and slow down the habitual thief.I have frequently suggested that it is best for someone to build a small shed for a first structure. The primary reason I have suggested this in the past has been because it gives the builder experience and the chance to make mistakes on a smaller less expensive project. Another important reason is that the shed is extremely useful on a construction site. It provides a location where tools and materials can be locked up.Take the time to introduce yourself to your neighbors before you start build
> >>> ing. M
> >>> ake sure they know what your vehicles look like. Make sure they have a way to contact you if they see something that might be suspicious. Not to mention the fact that neighbors can often become friends, and even provide help at critical moments during construction. Bright Florescent Pink spray paint. Seriously. Spray paint your tools a bright "girly" color. While this is not a 100% deterrent, with a surprising frequency it does repel many "macho" type construction males. They don't want to be joked about having those feminine pink tootie fruity tools, so many macho guys tend leave them alone. Besides, when it is time to clean up at the end of the workday, it's sure a lot easier to find your tools if they are bright pink. Also, it's trivial to spot your tools if another worker helping you puts one of your tools in his or her toolbox.If ONE tool gets stolen... expect thieves to come back... within a day or two. The first theft from your site will often be by one guy w
> >>> ho grabb
> >>> ed what he could easily carry. When he comes back, he will probably bring friends and a big truck to haul a lot more stuff. So once that first tool disappears it is critical to immediately stop everything and clean up. Lock all the tools away, and report the theft to the police. Realistically the police report probably will not get that first tool returned, but it is possible. Far more importantly is to make police aware that thieves have discovered your construction site. Encourage the police to drive by your site, especially at night. Most cops I have met would much rather arrest a thief than hand out traffic tickets.Just as important as getting to know your neighbors, get to know your local police/sheriff. If you happen to see the local guys in uniform around town or near your site, walk up and introduce yourself. Offer them a cold beverage (even if they refuse, they will appreciate the offer.) Cops are humans and they will be much more likely to assist you if th
> >>> ey have
> >>> some type of personal familiarity with you.If you are particularly bold... once that first theft at your construction site occurs... stake out your site at night for the next day or two. Thieves tend to strike quickly after they discover a target. It's not unheard of for an owner of a construction site to defend his property with his own firearms. Just make sure you don't shoot your neighbor out for a nightly stroll or walking their dog. It makes a lot more sense to have a cell phone to call the cops to have the professionals come an grab the culprits while you stay hidden and possibly even follow them until the cops can get there.
> >>> I am confident that there are a lot more ideas that I have missed. Those are simply the first ideas to pop into my head on the topic.
> >>> Please feel free to add your suggestions to the list.
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> ------------------------------------
> >>
> >> Yahoo! Groups Links
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> -----
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> >>
> >
> >
> >
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> >
>




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