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

Equipment theft rates generally mirror the overall economy, and the increase in COVID vaccination and eased restrictions may make the Memorial Day holiday very busy for home improvement and DIY businesses. Equipment crime undoubtedly will follow the same pattern. 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 as detailed in these alerts from Lewisville and Greenville, Texas. Dealers in all areas should be aware of the heightened threat of thefts especially of commercial mowers, utility vehicles, Skid Steers/CTL’s and Mini-Loaders (example: Toro Dingo).

Equipment rental fraud and conversion have continually plagued the industry since a surge in 2018, and 2021 reports indicate this trend is not stopping. These recent frauds in Houston, Texas and Eugene, Oregon illustrate the problem. Fraudsters most likely will be active again leading into the holiday weekend.

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.

Please report any theft or fraud to NER online, or email NER at info@ner.net with as little as the machine make, model and serial number and 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.