It’s no secret that the auto dealers have been battered by spikes in vehicle theft and burglaries in the past several years. According to a report released by the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program in August of 2024, from 2019 to 2023, the nationwide rate of motor vehicle theft incidents rose from 199.4 incidents per 100,000 people to 283.5 incidents. There has also been a rash of thefts associated with EV chargers, as criminals seek to strip them of copper and other high-value scrap metal.
In this Arrest of the Month video, ECAM’s sharp-eyed live video monitoring team helped direct police to a trespasser tampering with the EV charging station in the parking lot at a South Carolina auto dealership.
Just after 10:00 pm, detection specialists monitoring an auto dealership client property observed an intruder wandering the perimeter before heading for an EV charging station and beginning to tamper with it. Onsite audible warnings were sounded and local police dispatchers contacted. Staying in close contact with dispatchers, the team helped direct officers to the suspect’s location. The suspect was arrested on prior warrants in a neighboring county without further incident.
Copper Makes EV Charging Stations a Frequent Target
With copper prices as of late January 2025 at $4.24 per pound, high-powered EV charging stations have become prime targets for metal thieves, thanks to their copper-rich components.
The numbers are staggering: copper theft drains over $1 billion annually from U.S. businesses, according to the Department of Energy. This problem exploded during the pandemic when copper prices surged, and many properties sat vulnerable. The crisis has grown so severe that every state across the US has now implemented strict metal theft laws, requiring scrap yards to carefully document sales and verify sellers’ identities.
For businesses operating EV facilities, the message is clear: those charging stations aren’t just valuable assets– they’re potential magnets for an increasingly sophisticated wave of metal theft.
Enhancing Electric Vehicle Chargers and Other Asset Security through AI-Enabled Video Surveillance
Incorporating live video monitoring and surveillance into your security strategy helps to ensure a strong, multi-layered defense against thefts, particularly for assets as valuable as electric vehicle chargers. Taking this proactive rather than reactive approach significantly elevates the effort required for criminals to succeed, often discouraging them from attempting theft on your property altogether.
Key Advantages of Proactive Video Surveillance Systems
1. Deterrent Effect: Unlike traditional security measures, like passive alarms and security personnel alone, remote video surveillance offers a dynamic and effective crime prevention solution. It continuously captures and analyzes activity, utilizing both video analytics and human oversight to preempt criminal actions.
2. Proactive Intervention: Our system is designed to be proactive rather than reactive. When a potential intruder approaches, our sophisticated video analytics can help identify any suspicious behavior early on. Trained monitoring operators are then able to immediately intervene by issuing warnings through on-site speakers, often stopping criminals in their tracks.
3. Continuous Monitoring and Police Coordination: In situations where our onsite deterrent is insufficient, our operators can swiftly contact local police dispatch, providing real-time updates on the situation. As law enforcement heads to the scene, our security team maintains vigilant monitoring of the intruder, ensuring that officers are well-informed on their arrival.
By integrating these elements, our video surveillance solution can not only protect electric vehicles and their charging infrastructure but also helps create a safer, more secure environment for your business, employees, and customers. Ready to learn more about safeguarding your valuable assets from theft? You can reach out now to schedule a consultation or quote!
