NEFBA and JSO work together to prevent construction site theft
by Jean Sealey
Northeast Florida Builders Association
In an on-going dialog between NEFBA and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the seriousness of construction site crime has been a major topic of discussion.
Earlier this year, JSO reported an increase in criminal activity in and around new homes. In data collected through October 2004, according to JSO, every 16th home under construction had an incident related to theft or burglary, resulting in a loss of $364,000, a 31 percent increase over 2003.
JSO suggests several reasons for the increase.
“Many of the new homes are being built outside the urban core of Jacksonville,” said Assistant Chief Mike Rutledge. “These new areas are sparsely populated, if there are any residents at all. Criminals can come and go with little chance of detection.”
Most incidents occur on the weekends when no construction workers are at the site.
Appliances and air-conditioners seem to be favorite targets of thieves primarily because they typically are ordered as a package and delivered to the site at the same time. This makes a trip to the home profitable for the thief.
“Too often, these big-ticket items are delivered to the job site before doors and windows are installed, so they are not secured prior to installation,” said David Shacter, founder and president of Harmony Homes, now Drees Homes. “Air-conditioning units are particularly vulnerable because they are installed outside the home and are more difficult to secure.”
Harmony Homes and other area builders are looking for ways to thwart construction theft and are now using an improved method of securing air-conditioners. Shacter, NEFBA’s representative on the Theft Committee, says a change in the way builders do business is required to fight this problem.
“The police officers tell us these crimes are very difficult to investigate,” Shacter said. “Generally, the police don’t even get the report for hours – sometimes days – after the incident occurs.”
Shacter said the very nature of the construction site also hinders an investigation.
“The site is dirty and dusty, and a lot of people come and go in a regular work day, so police often cannot find usable fingerprints or other physical evidence,” he said.
Shacter said builders are implementing policies that will cut down on construction theft.
“Builders are recording serial numbers now, so stolen property can be identified when it is recovered,” he said. “And deliveries are being scheduled to coincide more closely with their installation and when workers are on site.”
JSO data suggests posting signs to help cut down on criminal activity, and NEFBA has signs available for members to post on construction sites. JSO recommends moving the signs around from time to time, making it evident someone is monitoring the site.
Stop by the NEFBA offices, 103 Century 21 Dr., Suite 100 in Jacksonville to pick up signs. Signs are $7 each.