Why is it Important to Have a Construction Site Monitored?

November 28th, 2020

Did you know that more than $46 million worth of heavy equipment is reported as stolen from construction sites annually in Canada? Add in theft of tools, small equipment, machinery, and building supplies including metal and copper, and it’s no wonder that construction site theft has become an industry-wide epidemic.

A more encouraging statistic from DOZR.com from a study involving 422 burglars indicated that 60% of the thieves say they generally avoid sites with security cameras and half of them indicated that they would abort their mission if they realized there were security cameras during an attempted robbery.

So beyond the obvious costs of having equipment and materials vandalized or stolen from construction sites, and the proven deterring value of having surveillance cameras, why is it important to have a construction site monitored? Our team of Montreal based surveillance specialists here at VigiMotion share some insights into the key benefits of making sure construction sites are well monitored against theft and vandalism.

Vandalism and theft on construction sites are costly in more ways than one. Not only is the value of the stolen equipment, tools or materials a hit to the budget, damage to the remaining infrastructure and property can also add up to a major loss. And when you factor in the lost time it takes to replace items, re-order equipment, and reschedule contractors and crews, the loss in revenue from vandalism and theft on construction sites can sink entire projects and leave them in the hole. Literally!

When tools and equipment go missing or are damaged on a work site, construction timelines can be delayed for hours or days. Worse, if heavy equipment or specialized machinery are damaged or stolen, it could take weeks and months for a suitable replacement to be found and the ripple effect of these delays can be catastrophic for construction budgets, schedules and ultimately the delivery of a project to the client.

Construction sites are prized targets for would-be thieves for many reasons. The high value of the equipment, tools and materials located on construction sites are tempting to burglars who break into construction sites to steal items ranging from building materials, vehicles and even scaffolding and cranes. Copper wiring and metal are particularly susceptible to theft due to their high value, open exposure and easy transportability, and the possibility of quick and easy resale with no tracing protocols to contend with.

The fact that construction sites are often abandoned during off-hours and located in remote areas where neighbouring properties are not built-up yet, or are in similar phases of construction makes them seem like a low-risk target for would-be thieves. Moreover, the fact that early-phase construction sites are not equipped with electricity or protective walls, doors and windows, protecting the building site with motion detectors, lighting and surveillance cameras is a necessity for guarding against thieves and vandals.

Advances in surveillance technology make construction site monitoring possible even in the early stages of building when there is no on-site power. Unlike traditional alarm systems, VigiMotion’s solar powered 100% wireless and autonomous video-verified alarm systems, for example, instantly relay a short video clip to show you what has triggered an alarm thanks to sensors which detect unusual movement. With 24-hour operators at the monitoring station, law enforcement is able to intervene quickly to thwart any thieves or vandals.

Video surveillance of construction sites also helps to keep your crews and contractors safe and protected from wrongful accusations of misuse or theft of tools, equipment and materials on the jobsite. Having “eyes” on the site at all times can provide a valuable record of activities and personnel movements in the event of suspicions of misconduct.

If an ounce of protection is worth a pound of cure, then investing in construction site surveillance is worth its weight in gold when it comes to keeping your building project on time and on budget.  When it comes to loss-prevention and risk-management strategies to protect your building site from thieves and vandals, it’s vital to work with the best in the field to protect your investment.

With more than 23 years of expertise in the field of commercial, industrial and institutional security, the team at VigiMotion can provide exceptional site protection service with solutions to suit the specific needs of your construction site. Contact us today to start the conversation!