|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Develop a security plan to fend off criminals on the farm |
|
|
|
Farming and the rural lifestyle is attractive to many of us.
Unfortunately, our neighborhood trust of others may encourage the criminal element. Experiencing a number of break-ins and thefts over the last several months has unsettled many of our area rural residents. A recent arrest might suggest that an organized ring is involved. Past burglaries were sometimes committed by local thieves. Regardless the culprit, should we reassess our farmstead and home security situations?
One area farmer recognizes that while his barnyard is well lit, he keeps the farm shop locked and pulls his keys from the pickup, more needs to be done to deter those who want to steal. He and I both agree that local spotters are likely connected to some of the area crimes, since he was robbed within several weeks of not having a barking dog onsite.
Recent thefts suggest that crooks are wary of driveway alarms. At least 2 sets of farm buildings were accessed by burglars driving through adjacent fields. The thieves were attracted to quality brand name tools, with off brand stuff left behind during the breaking and entering process.
As the news spread about recent farm thefts, a local woman mentioned that a stranger in a car had stopped by their farm that same weekend, offering for sale tickets to a city sports team event. After politely declining, the man drove off before her husband happened upon the scene. She regretted afterwards not jotting down a description of the man, his vehicle and the license number. However, the woman explained that she, as would many trusting rural people, never even considered the individual could have been scoping out their farm for a possible criminal act later on.
According to crime statistics, only 2.7 percent of the U.S. population lives on farms or ranches, yet they represent one of the most frequently victimized sectors of our society. Research shows at least 90 percent of rural crimes are property oriented. Vandalism tends to be the most frequent crime with theft second and burglary third. Many area farmers have experienced vandalism, from four-wheeled vehicles mudding through fields to smashed mail boxes to unwanted graffiti. Keep in mind that farms are also attractive to thieves and burglars, with high quality tools, pickup trucks and other equipment needed for modern agriculture production easily resold. Less traffic on rural roadways, isolated farmsteads and equipment (especially anhydrous tank wagons) parked in distant fields can all entice the criminal element.
Law enforcement recommends that all farmers, rural residents and businesses remove keys and lock unattended vehicles. ATV’s, tools and machinery should be marked with some type of code that is easily identified, such as the last four numbers of your social security number. An inventory of expensive tools and equipment should be maintained, with documented serial numbers.
Photographs or videotapes of tools and machinery could also assist in quick identification.
Tools should be secured in locked buildings. Vulnerable doors and four-wheelers blocked by large equipment can be an effective deterrent. It might be helpful to prevent access to areas with locked gates, depending on your farmstead layout. Locate fuel tanks inside of a locked building or at least within sight of the house to make them less attractive to thieves. Use photocell-operated (dusk to dawn) white lighting to illuminate areas, particularly those within sight of your house. Motion sensitive lights in other areas that surprise uninvited visitors might scare them off before they break in or steal. |
| 4/28/2010 |
|
|
|
|
