Shining the Light on Copper Theft
Advanced detection systems stop criminals in their tracks
Introduction
Copper theft has been a problem for utilities, contractors, transit agencies and public safety officials for decades. But over the course of the past five years, the issue has grown to be an even bigger problem, costing companies millions of dollars annually. In 2008, one utility company reported nearly 250 copper theft incidents in one year, and documented more than 700 incidents over the past five years. In one specific case, the company had 4,000 feet of power lines stolen from one location alone. The increase in copper theft is attributed to an increase in metal prices along with more global demand.
The drive to reduce copper theft not only helps companies protect its infrastructure and recover stolen assets; it also helps enhance community safety and reduces criminal activity. Of course, this is only realized with strong cooperation from local police departments, first responders and local governments. Cities around the country are reviewing legislature to stem the tide of copper thefts. Such ordinances place stricter regulations on scrap metal dealers, and scrap iron and metal processors while legislature ensures tough penalties on dealers buying or selling stolen cable. In the San Francisco Bay Area, sellers and their goods are photographed, sellers are fingerprinted and individuals only receive payment for the goods after a three-day waiting period. However, thefts continue to rise as the depressed economy continues. In addition to the theft of copper cable, utilities are also experiencing an increase in the theft of transformers.
Gathering information on copper theft is challenging as there are two parties involved with the capture and sale of the material and there is an important distinction between the two groups. The first person is the thief and they are stealing wire, while the second group of individuals is buying it. These are most often the scrap dealers who know they are buying stolen wire. Underground after-hours scrap houses operate solely to exchange copper for drugs. The dealer weighs it and gives the thief approximately 50 cents on the dollar of what the scrap is worth.
Proactive Measures
The good news is that companies are fighting back. An electric utility company serving Southeast Michigan more than doubled the monetary reward for information leading to the arrest of copper thieves and individuals buying stolen copper. A large power company in Georgia also revealed a ‘rewards program’ for information leading to the arrest of conviction of copper thieves. Companies are also beefing up perimeters around facilities that house wire, such as replacing fences with metal walls to reduce break ins. Video surveillance and electronic access control are other technology tools facilities regularly deploy to control and manage the issue. Security guards are also critical in being able to respond when a theft is in progress. These systems and programs, although valuable in gathering data and forensic analysis, cannot stop crime before it starts. Video surveillance is often not monitored in real-time and therefore, no action is taken to stop an incident before damage is done. At the same time, the role of a security guard has expanded as officers are tasked with more duties on job sites than ever before and the increased purview makes it difficult for even the most trained security guard to manage all tasks to the best of his ability. Therefore, perimeter detection technologies that mimic the actions of a security guard and integrate surveillance cameras are a cost-effective solution that can be used to prevent crime before it occurs. A system that engages in the same motions and movements of a security guard to deter crime and can gather data when coupled with surveillance technologies is an ideal solution to manage losses and damage stemming from copper theft.
Automated detection solutions are developed on the idea that intelligent technologies can prevent and deter potentially criminal activity before loss or damage occurs, while decreasing response time. These solutions can be used to enhance perimeter security and safety in copper theft-plagued environments and are proven to reduce criminal activity by as much as 90 percent. By leveraging advanced algorithms, intelligent detection solutions automatically identify potentially dangerous targets within 1,000 feet, and track objects to deter criminal behavior. Once it detects motion in a user-defined area, the system illuminates activity with a high-intensity LED light, and then rotates to and from the detected activity zone. Once motion is no longer detected, the device will conduct an overarching area-wide search. Then, the device will conduct regular patrols of an area, scanning for unusual behavior. Automated detection systems are designed to accurately detect targets in a wide-range of outdoor environments and these solutions provide the most reliable security for perimeter detection available today.
Perimeter Applications
Vulnerability begins at a facility’s perimeter. The best chance of preventing a security breach is to deter and detect activity before loss or damage occurs. Yet many attempts at perimeter detection (leveraging video analytics, for example) are limited due to excessive false alarms and the challenges of outdoor conditions, including weather and environmental factors. Automated detection solutions, like the ones described above, are reliable in all weather situations as it uses robust exterior PIR sensors to detect activity. The system does not differentiate between different kinds of movement so it is a reliable source to provide data on all areas of activity.
The system is effective at preventing crime because of the inherent nature of its functionality. When a potential intruder realizes he has been seen by security personnel, the reaction is to leave the scene. Automated detection technologies have the same effect. Once it detects movement in its area of protection and it shines its high-intensity light, subjects retreat as they assume they have been noticed and their actions captured on video. The system’s capability to distinguish movement in a wide geographic area makes coverage effective and reliable. Because each environment offers unique challenges depending on its business processes and threat profiles, automated perimeter detection solutions have a customizable field of protection to enable users to define the size of the area it system searches. Furthermore, the system’s automated tracking patterns are customizable and easy to adapt as risk profile change.
Today, security guards increasingly rely on the help of integrated security technologies to boost regular security patrols. Technologies, such as automated detection solutions, enable guards to focus on critical tasks rather than patrolling areas with no visible threat. When automated detection solutions are combined with video surveillance, an enhanced level of situational awareness enhances guard and emergency responder safety. Security personnel are able to view video footage that corresponds with an event before deploying the correct level of response.
Intelligent detection systems are not meant to replace security guards; rather they are designed to augment them. Intelligent solutions are used to patrol a perimeter while guards are empowered to provide other value-added security services. When you combine highly trained security officers with automated detection systems, a facility is safer, more secure and less vulnerable.
An automated detection solution is an effective way to prevent crime but it becomes a forensic tool when combined with video surveillance cameras. The combined solution is then truly proactive and reactive, enabling security teams to stop activity and investigate the underlying cause. These intelligent solutions deliver immediate return-on-investment, reduces loss and enhances safety, and truly are the future of the future of crime prevention.
