by David Chapman
Staff Writer
The old adage that crime doesn’t pay might be true for criminals but for honest people with tips that lead to arrests, it can be rewarding. In their wallets and their consciences.
That’s part of the message that a new three-pronged joint effort between builders and vendors, the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office and the First Coast Crimestoppers are trying to spread in an effort to curb the steady trend of job-site theft.
“It’s a big problem,” said Wylie Hodges, executive director of First Coast Crimestoppers, referring to the crimes. “It’s an easy market for thieves because the stolen items are so easy to fence.”
Stolen items range from hammers, nails and dollies to air conditioning units, refrigerators and dishwashers. Items belonging to workers have also been reported stolen, showing that builders and vendors aren’t the only victims.
“It really is a big problem for builders and vendors,” said Larry Wittmer. Wittmer serves on the First Coast Crimestoppers board and is the NEFBA liaison with the program.
The crimes are more frequent during periods of low interest rates and large amounts of construction, but the problem is still prevalent during down markets, said JSO Burglary Unit Sgt. Don Wilfong.
The key to apprehending suspects lies within the reporting of serial numbers on the stolen items. Without the serial numbers, apprehending suspects and returning stolen items to victims is a difficult task, said Wilfong.
“We can stop a truck at 3 a.m. in the morning with a truck bed full of refrigerators near a site,” said Wilfong, “but without the serial numbers being reported, it’s nearly impossible to trace. We just need the numbers.”
There is a hope that the anonymity Crimestoppers offers tipsters, plus the appeal of a reward of up to $1,000 for a tip that leads to an arrest will result in more leads on the crimes, said Hodges. A lack of information in the past could be the result of people not wanting to be involved in court proceedings, a fear of police or just the hassle he added.
“Anonymity is the key,” said Hodges. “Now it’s just a matter of getting the word out.”
Getting the word out means the distribution of signs, bumper stickers and word of mouth on jobsites about the new joint effort that’s taking place. Wilfong stated that the majority of people that commit the crimes have at one point worked as subcontractors, so information on the program at jobsites is key.
Wilfong also stated that the summer months tended to have more crimes committed. With summer fast approaching, getting the word out about the program and doing proper reporting procedures will be crucial. For the program to succeed, the help of the community is also needed, said Hodges.
“It’s going to take work on everyone’s part,” said Hodges. “But I think it’s going to work and put a dent in jobsite thefts.”