Lojack’s Annual Theft Study

During the 2004 to 2006 copper, aluminum, and metals price-spikes, we as industry witnessed countless construction site thefts. Burglars were striping copper wire and aluminum gutters out of homes and buildings. Here in DC and all over the country, people were actually stealing man-hole covers and abandoned cars to cash in on the high metals’ prices.

And once again, as a result of the economy, burglars are targeting construction sites. Out of desperation, they are stealing heavy equipment, trucks & trailers, portable equipment, and appliances.

According to Logjack’s Annual Theft Study, “newer equipment on the job site is the most common theft target because of higher resale value.” The study lists the types of equipment most frequently stolen are (in order):

1. Backhoe Loaders/Skip Loaders/Wheel Loaders/Track Loaders
2. Light Utility/Work Trucks and Trailers
3. Generators/Air Compressors/Welders
4. Skid Steers
5. Forklifts/Scissor Lifts

http://www.lojack.com/about/Documents/ConstTheftStudy2008Final.pdf

Protecting your equipment is more important than ever. Surviving in this difficult economy is hard enough and losing a major piece of equipment to theft could easily sink your entire operation.