How many times have you knocked off for the day and left the keys in your directional drill, thinking, "Who would steal a drilling rig?"

Plenty of people would, as recent statistics suggest. National surveys estimate the annual total cost of stolen equipment in the U.S. at $1 billion. But as little as 10-15 percent of stolen equipment is ever recovered. In contrast, 60 percent of stolen automobiles are recovered.

Why? Stolen off-road equipment is difficult to investigate for several reasons. One, the average law-enforcement officer does not have the technical knowledge to investigate equipment suspected as stolen—he doesn't know a trencher from a skid steer. Also, there is no centralized number system for construction equipment, like the vehicle identification number (VIN) for automobiles, so acquiring information to investigate is not easy.

But it's getting easier, thanks to organizations like National Equipment Register, Inc. (NER), which was founded in 2001 to increase the recovery rate of stolen equipment. Funded by the insurance industry, NER has partnerships with key industry groups and resources to centralize information on equipment theft and ownership. By calling NER's 24-hour toll-free number (866 FIND PIN), officers can request a search of NER's theft and ownership databases and receive assistance in identifying a piece of equipment. For more information about NER, visit www.NERusa.com.

What You Can Do.
Preventing theft from occurring, of course, is easier than trying to recover a stolen piece of equipment. Here are some crime prevention steps you should take with all of your equipment, big or small:

Mark It.

    * Mark your equipment, pipe and moveable property.
    * Use an approved identification system.
          o Driver's license number of the principal of the firm preceded by the initials of your state.
          o The OAN (owner applied number), a ten-digit code assigned by a law-enforcement agency.
          o Put numbers in a few spots: hidden and obvious.
          o For machinery with cabs, paint the last six digits of the Product Identification Number (PIN) on the roof.

Record It.

    * Keep records of the serial numbers on your equipment.
    * Take color photos of your equipment.
    * Register your equipment with NER or a similar agency.

Protect It.

    * Don't leave equipment in remote areas.
    * Inventory equipment frequently.
    * Paint equipment a distinctive color; include your name/logo.
    * Install fuel cutoffs, hydraulic bypasses, track locks or alarms.
    * Improve site security with sturdy fences and gates, "No Trespassing" signs, and good lighting.

In Case Of Theft:

    * Notify law enforcement immediately.
    * Notify local equipment dealers. They can circulate stolen equipment bulletins.

Published in the Spring 2007 issue of The Underground.