Construction sites attract criminal activities, such as theft, vandalism, and other crimes. Organized crime rings and thieves often target construction sites because of their temporary nature and unprotected high-valued assets. These include equipment, lumber, power tools, copper, wiring, and utility trailers.
Construction View Online references “Unseen Threats: 2024 Construction Crime Index.” The report states that two-thirds of the respondents reveal theft has increased. This is largely due to the high resale value of stolen items. Moreover, organized crime rings are sophisticated as they incessantly adopt their methods and stay ahead of construction security. Some criminals go so far as to use drones.
These crimes are costly for construction projects. Violence, vandalism, theft, and harassment can delay construction projects. Why is this happening? According to the report, it’s a combination of inflation, advanced criminal tactics, high resale value, and construction companies not taking the risk seriously enough to address security vulnerabilities.
One word to describe these thieves keeps showing up. Brazen. Thieves are more brazen. Too many construction companies take the “wait and see” approach to security. They must treat security not as “if it will happen” but as “when it will happen.”
The Price of Not Prioritizing Construction Security
Construction theft is notoriously underreported. Companies opt out of reporting any kind of theft out of fear of insurance premiums going up. Construction insurance has gotten expensive. They’d rather eat the loss than risk paying higher premiums.
A Levelset story verifies that when a construction company makes an insurance claim, it drives up the insurance premiums. This causes cash flow problems as the story indicates that 97% of the respondents are dealing with it.
The story confirms thieves are becoming more audacious. In a theft of $10,000 worth of materials, the thieves did not bother to wear masks. They weren’t worried about being identified or caught. In another example, criminals cut water lines to steal a building’s plumbing system because it contained copper.
Levelset quotes a United Contractors representative who asserts construction site theft is a big problem. Everyone in general contracting has been affected by it. When someone steals equipment, it delays the project. It creates a domino effect as delays make the project more expensive and can increase the risk of missing deadlines.
How can construction companies project their sites? Another LevelSet story recommends doing the following:
- Prequalify contractors. Construction thefts are often internal, and the guilty party tends to be a repeat offender.
- Develop and distribute the construction site security plan.
- Secure the site with a tall fence and lighting.
- Implement a video camera system.
The type of video camera system matters. Construction sites need a proactive security solution because they’re constantly changing. This is where mobile security solutions with video cameras make a difference.
What Is a Mobile Security Solution?
Mobile security is flexible and adaptable. It’s easy to move the cameras as the construction project progresses. Video cameras do more than observe what’s happening on every inch of the construction site at all times. They can work as an access control system when used in conjunction with speakers and lights.
A mobile security solution is a flexible option. Cameras can be added to trailers, poles, walls, roofs, and other locations around the construction site. These come with a battery enclosure that stores the batteries and solar charge controller. Battery enclosures tend to be mounted at ground level for security and easy installation.
A lot of construction projects may not have a consistent supply of electricity. Fortunately, mobile security can come with a battery backup to keep the system running during power outages. Additionally, the system works with wireless and hard-wired internet.
Mobile security comes with remote monitoring. This involves trained monitoring operators who work from a location away from the construction site. Their lives are never at risk, which allows them to correctly respond to any given situation. People onsite don’t always respond as they should in a scary situation because their fight-or-flight mechanism may take over.
The reason the mobile security solution acts like an access control system is because of the speaker. The monitoring operator can communicate with anyone on the construction site. If someone does not belong, they can issue a verbal warning.
For times when the verbal warning goes unnoticed, the monitoring operator can call the authorities and provide them with detailed information about what’s happening on the construction site.
Another benefit of the mobile security solution is that employees can use their laptops, mobile devices, or tablets to check in to see what’s happening on the construction site. This keeps them informed of the project’s progress. The bird’s eye views of the construction site give managers a better perspective of how well or not the site’s layout works. The views can help organize the construction site in the safest way possible.
It’s also possible to catch safety hazards early. Video footage can capture images and point out potential safety issues so they can be quickly addressed.
A mobile security solution with remote monitoring can cost a fraction of what it would cost to hire security guards. The cameras allow the monitoring operator and artificial intelligence to monitor every part of the construction site. Security guards would not be able to see much of the construction site because their visual view is limited.
Security companies like ECAM use solar panels. This delivers up to 200W charging power. The mobile security system housing may consist of a strobe, two-way speaker, power monitor, modem, and Raspberry Pi. The IP cameras provide a complete view of the site. The system makes the most of the power as security professionals can remotely power down the system outside of monitoring hours.
The housing that Stealth uses has remote-controlled relays. This lets security professionals troubleshoot the system from a remote location. They can also run system health checks to verify the mobile security system is functioning.
How Mobile Security Bolsters Construction Sites
ECAM has developed a mobile security system with remote monitoring that can secure the most challenging sites, including those in rural and secluded areas. The security company designed this solution based on years of experience securing construction sites. This solution is mobile and easy to implement. At the same time, it can overcome the challenges of protecting construction sites.
The mobile security solution comes with the following advantages:
- Deploys quickly.
- Scales up or down easily.
- Is a self-contained mobile video camera solution.
- Includes a battery backup for potential power outages.
- Works with hardwired internet or wireless.
- Supports two-way audio that allows an offsite monitor to talk to anyone on site.
- Functions in many locations or can be self-sustaining.
- Lets users check camera views using tablets, laptops, and mobile devices.
Construction sites need a stout mobile security solution that avoids the problems associated with diesel generators. Stealth has solved that problem by incorporating solar trailers. These solar trailers are pole mounted. Their video cameras can record and monitor construction sites. This is a cost-effective solution that may help lower insurance premiums.
How to Select Mobile Security for Construction Sites
Shopping for mobile security to protect your construction site feels daunting. Where do construction companies start looking for a mobile video surveillance solution that bolsters security, safety, and productivity? Here are the key factors to look for in a mobile security solution.
Project requirements: Assess the needs and requirements of the construction project. Will the security need to change as the project progresses?
Standards and regulations: Verify the solution complies with construction industry standards and regulations if applicable.
Monitoring services: For the most effective mobile security with remote monitoring, look for a solution that incorporates artificial and human intelligence. When you combine them, they’re a powerhouse.
Compatibility: Check to confirm whether the technology will work with existing construction systems and processes. Integrating mobile video cameras should not affect active projects or introduce new problems.
Scalability: Ask how scalability works and whether it can be scaled up or down.
User-friendly: This may not apply if the construction company opts for a mobile security solution with remote monitoring services done by trained professionals. However, if the team wants to access the cameras from their devices during the project, they need to be able to do this without a high learning curve. The security company may offer training to help overcome this.
System security: The mobile security solution does provide security for the construction site. But the solution also uses software and technology that needs to be updated to keep it secure. Ask questions about how the company secures its mobile security system.
Return on investment (ROI): How much will the mobile security with remote monitoring cost? How long will it take to yield a return on investment?
These tips can help you find the right mobile security system. Here’s a case study that shows how a construction company used cameras to improve productivity and stay on top of the activities.
If you’d like to learn more, explore this website and check out the construction site videos that show how security cameras with remote monitoring help deter crimes. For more information about mobile surveillance and business security solutions, please contact us.
Texas Private Security License Number: B14187
California Alarm Operator License Number: ACO7876
Florida Alarm System Contractor I License Number: EF20001598
Tennessee Alarm Contracting Company License Number: 2294
Virginia Private Security Services Business License Number: 11-19499
Alabama Electronic Security License # 002116
Canada TSBC License: LEL0200704
