NER® wishes all our clients and Law Enforcement partners a happy and safe Labor Day. We also encourage everyone to take steps to make it a crime free holiday.

Equipment theft rates generally mirror the overall economy. With the US population returning to a degree of normalcy, the demand for equipment is also returning to pre-pandemic levels. Like other goods, there is a scarcity of some types of equipment, further fueling demand. Elevated equipment is resulting in elevated equipment crime. All areas should consider equipment theft to be a threat before and over the holiday.

The infographic shows that job site and dealer yard burglaries over the holiday are always an issue. So far in 2021 that continues to be the case especially for job site thefts. Contractors, equipment rental businesses and equipment dealers in all areas should be aware of the heightened threat of thefts especially of Commercial Mowers, Skid Steers/CTL’s and Mini-Loaders (example: Toro Dingo), and Compact Tractors. July 4th holiday thefts also included Reach Forklifts and Backhoe Loaders, so any equipment is a potential target

Equipment rental fraud and conversion continually plagues the industry since a surge in 2018, and 2021 reports indicate this trend is not stopping. Contractors and Agribusiness also should be aware that thieves are targeting job sites and farms nation-wide.

Try to do something proactive to prevent equipment crimes from occurring. Small steps and minor attention to details may be all it takes to deter an opportunistic thief. Below are a few fundamentals for both law enforcement and equipment owners.

If you are the victim of a theft or receive a theft report, please report it to NER online, or email NER at info@ner.net with as little as the machine make, model and serial number plus the date and location of theft, and we’ll enter it for you. Want an NER alert on the theft? Let us know when we follow-up.