As we enter the second month of 2025, data coming in from the year prior confirms what many of us in security have long heard from our clients- trespassing, theft, and other criminal activity targeting construction sites and other businesses continue to be a nuisance- and assuring that police responses are prompt when needed is critical.
In this Arrest of the Month video, police were able to respond quickly after our remote monitoring caught someone unauthorized entering a Shasta County, California construction site.
Midday at a Shasta County, California construction site, ECAM detection specialists spotted abnormal behavior on the perimeter of the project. A closer look revealed a woman trespassing on the property, and onsite audible alarms were activated. The woman continued into the site, and Stealth’s security staff contacted local police, who responded within minutes. The woman was apprehended without further incident.
This arrest serves as just one example among many of the theft and liability risks constantly faced by construction businesses.
Trespassing and theft on construction sites is well-known as a common issue, and 2024 showed that while residential burglaries and larcenies decreased across the United States, nonresidential burglaries, shoplifting, and vehicle thefts all increased significantly- with motor vehicles at an alarming 53% increase. 2025 will likely see this trend continue, particularly for the construction industry as tariffs and other supply chain pressures make building supplies an even more appealing target for criminals.
We see it all the time. For example, in last month’s Arrest of the Month, where two were arrested after we caught them on remote surveillance trespassing in unfinished homes. Thieves often steal both building supplies and appliances- items that are heavily impacted by supply chain disruptions.
As of December 18, 2024, California’s Proposition 36 has been implemented, which marks a pivotal transformation in criminal law across the state, and specifically within Shasta County- an area which had the third-highest arrest rate in California in 2019.
Designed to increase penalties for select criminal offenses and reinstate prosecutorial instruments that had been diminished by prior statutes, Proposition 36 was implemented as part of a comprehensive strategy to tackle the increasing concerns surrounding crime and public safety. It introduces substantial amendments in the handling of theft, drug-related offenses, and sentencing enhancements for the purpose of community safety. Ideally this will also aid in prioritizing police responses to potential theft and other criminal threats commonly faced by construction businesses.
Remote Monitoring for Fewer False Alarms and Better Police Response
We know that construction business owners are deeply aware of the substantial liability risks that trespassers pose on their sites- from thefts that impact bottom lines and cause expensive timeline delays to legal repercussions after an injury- it’s important to have security in place that can both intervene when necessary and reduce the additional risk of false alarms. To proactively address these challenges, it is essential for construction firms to secure their sites with proactive, responsive security measures.
Given the persistent issues of theft, vandalism, and liability at construction sites, proactive surveillance solutions like our remote video monitoring and surveillance have become critical for project owners and contractors.
While traditional static security cameras serve primarily as visual deterrents, their effectiveness can be limited as determined trespassers or thieves often find ways to bypass or disguise their actions. In these types of situations, vigilant real-time monitoring that allows our detection specialists to see and respond to suspicious activity and contact local police in real time can mean the difference between a devasting loss and late-night phone call with details of an already resolved incident.
Our security monitoring combines two key elements: smart camera placement and expert human oversight. High-resolution cameras cover crucial areas while trained security staff provide 24/7 monitoring. When incidents occur, our operators give police dispatchers exact details in real-time, helping them respond faster and more effectively.
Interested in how this applies to your sites? For further details on how to enhance the security of your business and jobsites, reach out to Stealth today for a complimentary consultation or to speak with one of our construction security specialists.
