BILD Calgary Region Bulletin 2024 – 73

From:
Sarah Champagne, Senior Coordinator, Policy and Building Technical, Calgary and Region
Date:December 19, 2024
Subject:Construction Site Theft Prevention & Reporting

With the holiday season upon us, it is as important as ever to be vigilant in theft prevention practices on site. The following is information and advice from City and regional police services regarding crime reporting, and theft prevention practices that may help to reduce incidents of thefts from homes under construction.

Additionally, Calgary Police Service (CPS) recommends that businesses connect with their district Community Resource Officer (CRO). This position acts as a key point of contact for construction sites to other CPS units and can assist with site security, e.g. conducting a crime prevention review of a site, provide latest, local information on crime trends and effective crime prevention tips, be a contact for reporting of suspicious activity, persons, vehicles, and provide support to site security measures with targeted patrols. Click here to find your District Office and CRO contact.

REPORT ALL OFFENCES!

TO CALGARY POLICE SERVICE (CPS)

  • If the offence is in progress, call 911.
  • Complete your report via the Calgary Police Service webpage here Report a crime
  • If you have evidence e.g. CCTV, witnesses, items left behind possibly belonging to the offender, call the non-emergency number (403) 266-1234.
  • Reports provide CPS with statistical information e.g. location, time, M/O, value and

TO ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE (RCMP)

THEFT PREVENTION TIPS

  • CHANGE YOUR BUSINESS PRACTICES! Do not leave material unattended on the site. If this is not possible, minimize the volume of product/material left at the site; by scheduling drop offs, locking containers, placing items out of sight, placing shingles on roof and siding out of site in the Do not leave machines with a full tank of fuel.
  • Keep your site clean; remove garbage, excess product/material.
  • Keep the site area well lit.
  • All camera footage is valuable, even if it is not good quality. Cameras capture descriptions of vehicles, clothing, offenders and M/O’s. Place cameras in a covert location. Cameras should be in HD and be night sensitive.
  • Place substantial locks on C-cans/trailers. You can place large pieces of equipment against them to prevent Change/replace door locks every two years. Disable any doors without hardware and not in use; secure 2×4 to floor behind door.
  • Have appliances delivered on the day the owner takes possession, to ensure the residence is
  • Reduce the theft of electrical wire by using tactics that make it difficult to steal and transport; unroll electrical coil.

SECURITY

  • Use mobile security to patrol areas. Encourage security to vary the times they patrol to reduce
  • Know your employees, you can confirm identification on site by using name tags or ID
  • Know your neighbours, they can recognize when something suspicious is occurring.

GPS TRACKERS

  • DO NOT TELL EMPLOYEES YOU ARE USING GPS TRACKERS (prevent internal theft).
  • GPS Trackers can be used on product/material, vehicles and large
  • GPS Trackers should NOT be placed in the same location each time. Place them in a different location to prevent offenders from finding and discarding
  • Offenders will adapt their behavior! Continue to use the GPS Trackers, even if the thefts decrease or stop. Offenders may target a different location for a period and then
REPORT ALL OFFENCES!
DISCLAIMER

The information provided is designed to provide helpful material on the security of your jobsite, equipment, and materials. It is meant as a guideline only and is to be used as you and/or your company see fit. It is also meant as a deterrent to thefts, however, it cannot guarantee that implementation of any or all parts of the guideline will reduce theft or damage to your property or materials.