Keeping Your Equipment Safe

For the first time in my memory, the Indiana green industry has been hit with theft of equipment on a large scale. The size of these thefts, the type of equipment stolen and the brazen way in which it was done indicates an organized effort to procure equipment in order to “go into business.” Indeed, it appears that someone prepared a shopping list of items which were required to operate a mowing maintenance company, then identified an existing firm where those items existed, and then carried out the theft of them.

In at least three separate, and geographically different locations this season, IPLLA members have suffered significant losses of equipment due to theft. In one of the largest of these, more than $46,000 worth of mowers and support tools was stolen from one location, in one night. Such a loss is not a small or insignificant matter. It certainly is not vandalism, or the mistake of misguided youth. Such a theft was well planned, carefully carried out, and clearly meant to stock someone with very useable lawn care equipment with which to conduct their business.

While we unfortunately cannot help those who have already been targeted by such theft, perhaps we can help other members learn from these losses. Here are some hints:

1) Maintain consistent security around your building. Make sure all doors are locked at night. If the building is left vacant anytime during the day, make provisions to lock it up during such periods. Assign someone to be sure the building is secure at the end of each day.

2) Maintain a written record of each and every piece of equipment you own from trailers to copiers. List serial numbers, date of purchase, value, etc. Review this list on a set date each year to update it – not only to add any new equipment purchased, but to remove any equipment sold or otherwise removed from the university.

3) Take photos of the inside of your office and warehouse so that you have a visual record of what is supposed to be there. Consider making a video so that you can accompany a photographic record with a narrative description of the equipment.

4) Consider special markings or paint for your equipment that will discourage theft. Remember, much of what we use looks exactly alike. Anything you can do to distinguish your equipment from others will certainly make it less attractive to thieves.

5) Number everything. Buy stickers, put them on, and then create a list based upon the numbers. Inventory this “list” annually. If a numbered piece of equipment is not there, then where is it?

6) Limit the number of keys to the building and who has access to them.

7) When in the field, be sure that keys are removed from a truck’s ignition each and every time the driver leaves the cab. Do not leave a vehicle unattended, with keys in the ignition, even for a few minutes.

8) When sending a truck into the field, create a list of equipment that should be on board. Review each truck weekly. If an assigned piece of equipment is not there, then locate it.

9) Be certain that your insurance policy covers everything you need it to. This is a big issue. Insurance coverage varies from policy to policy and from agent to agent. The more you know about your insurance coverage, or the lack of it, the better off you will be if and when theft occurs.

The author is Executive Director of the Indiana Professional Lawn & Landscape Association. This article was originally published in the association's October newsletter.