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Workplace break-ins and
equipment theft on the rise
Take precautions!
| UAC members have recently reported an uptick in break-ins at their businesses and out in the workplace. With summer holidays and vacations in full swing, the days off we traditionally celebrate are also celebrated by thieves as a good time to strike. They know that there is a high probability that the location where your trucks, trailers and equipment are parked will be vacant. | | | |
Todd Guilmette, Unique Environmental Landscapes:
“We had two incidents in the last two weeks of theft on vehicles but there’s a twist. They are now following are vehicles from property to property looking for an opportunity. Today it escalated to a new level on one of our in-town properties near Georgia Tech, where an individual was walking around our truck in a gated community and confronted one of our employees with the demand for the keys to the truck in his wallet. Luckily, other employees were nearby in the issue was de-escalated but the person was very serious on his aggressiveness towards our employee. Ironically both issues happened in gated communities where the perpetrators are coming in waiting for an opportunity to steal. Police reports have been filed. We share this to alert others who are active in the West Cobb/West Fulton area.”
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Pam Dooley, Plants Creative Landscapes:
“Our Decatur-area offices were broken into over Memorial Day weekend. There were at least four perpetrators, and the police caught one of them. At first glance, we don't think they got any equipment but were making a pile to take. They broke truck windows, cut through sheetrock to gain warehouse access, broke into offices, etc.”
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These criminal incidents not only resulted in a financial loss due to the high cost of replacement, but the inability of many crews being unable to work until equipment and vehicles are repaired and/or replaced.
See links below for information that could assist with theft prevention.
Please contact your local police department for additional ways to determine specific safeguards for your property and your employees.
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Sod producer/grower alert | Be aware: Order will come in from individual or landscape company that you are not familiar with, usually by phone or keyed in online. Delivery is requested, and paid for with credit card. Payment goes through, and delivery is made to homeowner. Subsequently, a fraud claim is filed; and credit card company reimburses regardless of the proof that farm submits. | | | |
Jutt Howard, NG Turf:
“The best defense is creating your own Facebook marketplace ad educating consumers to avoid scams and buy direct from the farm. Most of our experience with these scams are from honest customers finding scammers selling sod on FB Marketplace. Additionally, asking for a picture of the card or at least copy that matches the name on the card is good practice. Check for references of buyer before completing transaction. ”
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If your company has been the victim of theft recently or becomes a victim of theft, please notify us so that we can track these incidents for your fellow members.
If any of our vendor/supplier members have products or services that could help deter break-ins or thefts, please contact us so we can share this information.
Sincerely,
Mary Kay Woodworth
Executive Director, UAC
770-359-7337
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The most important thing to remember: your employees' safety is more important than loss of equipment.
Please review these steps and share with your employees:
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Develop a checklist for employee responsibilities after an incident. Identify who will call the police, secure evidence, and advise employees not to share the experience with co-workers so they can provide an independent account of the event
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Be a good witness. Stay calm, alert, and aware of your surroundings. If possible, write down everything you remember. The more accurate the description, the more chance the police have to apprehend the criminal. Pay attention to the type and color of clothing, unique characteristics such as scars, tattoos, birthmarks, and mannerisms.
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Note the direction of travel in which the perpetraor fled. If they flee in a vehicle, be aware of the type and color and if possible, the license plate number.
- Always consider the individual armed and dangerous as well as under the influence of drugs/alcohol.
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Give the perpetrator exactly what he/she wants - they will rarely hurt you unless you resist or provoke them.
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Don't fight or chase the perpetrator. Nothing is worth your life.
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Let the perpetrator make the first move. Keep your hands in plain sight. Never make sudden or unexpected movements. Never argue or play games with the individual(s).
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If you can't or don't know how to comply with their command, give the perpetrator a clear and convincing reason. (Ex. "I don't have the keys to the truck.")
- Remember: money and material items can always be replaced. Your health and safety cannot!
After the perpetrator leaves:
- As soon as the perpetrator leaves call 911, and wait for police. Call your supervisor.
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When you call 911, never hang up the phone until you are instructed to do so by the operator. The officer will advise Radio to make the call back. Don't put them on hold or hang up the phone.
- If you can safely observe the perpetrator during his/her exit, get as much information as possible (see above).
- Make sure you cover any place the offender may have touched.
- Answer all questions asked by police and your supervisor honestly.
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Security systems and products, recommendations | |
**Note: These are not product endorsements. These recommendations have been sent to UAC by our members.
Please contact your local police department for additional ways to determine specific safeguards for your property and your employees.
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June 13: Ornamental disease ID and management webinar
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June 20: Where are all the trees? How do I source them? webinar
- Hands-on Sustainable Landscape Design series:
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June 13: Fundamentals of Design Graphics and Sustainable Design
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Aug 15: Creating the Ultimate Landscape Design: Stunning and Sustainable
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Oct 8: Landscape: A Nature-Inspired Approach
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Dec 12: Planting Design for the Sustainable Landscape
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Aug 7 - 8 am-1:30 pm: UGA Turfgrass Research Field Day, UGA Griffin GA campus. Exhibitor registration now open. Attendee registration coming soon.
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Aug 7 - 1:30-2:30 pm: Wildlife Management or Pest ID - 1 hour Cat 24 credit applied for. UGA Griffin (following UGA Turfgrass Field Day). Registration coming soon.
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