Agricultural and Rural Crime Prevention

Did you know that only 2.7% of the population of the United States lives on farms or ranches, yet they represent one of the most frequently victimized sectors of our society.

Research shows at least 90% of rural crimes are property-oriented or crimes against property. Vandalism tends to be the most frequent crime with larceny second, and burglary the third most frequent rural crime.

Why Agricultural and Rural Crime?

There are a number of reasons why agricultural and rural crime has flourished. They include:

• Rural homes often have a large number of attractive targets such as TV’s, satellite systems, VCR’s, stereos, etc.

• Farms and ranches have expensive equipment, such as tractors, combines, trucks, etc.

• Because they are usually remote and isolated, criminal activity can occur on farms and ranches without being easily seen.

• Many rural residents no longer have livestock and can now be away from the local community longer making the rural home more frequently vacant and vulnerable to theft.

The Zone Approach to Agricultural Security

The physical layout of a farm or ranch presents special problems in developing and implementing security practices. This makes the zone approach an excellent way to plan for proper security. There are four geographical zones on a farm or ranch:

Zone 1: Boundary Security - The boundary of a farm or ranch is the first line of defense against crime.

• Warning Signs: Potential thieves should be warned there are alarm systems/guard dogs/watchful neighbors/a reward program, etc. Such signs should be posted around the perimeter of the property, particularly near areas of probable entry. No Trespassing signs are equally useful in establishing the property boundary line.

• Gates And Fences: A gate must be closed and locked to be an effective security measure. Used at entrances onto the property, gates should be as strong as possible, mounted securely to strong corner posts and locked with heavy-duty chains and padlocks. Although fences may not keep the determined intruder out, the most effective is a chain link fence with at least three strands of barbed wire angled out from the top. Security fences should have metal, concrete or wooden posts set in concrete.

Zone 2: Outlying Fields - Areas such as remote fields, pasture and timberland that are not readily visible from the farm or ranch home are more vulnerable to crime.

• Equipment in the fields - If it is necessary to leave equipment in the field, the farmer or rancher should:

• Always know what equipment is in the field. If possible, position the equipment where it can be seen from a house or park it out of sight from the road behind a hill or tree line.

• Always remove the key from powered equipment and, if possible and practical, disable the equipment by removal of the distributor cap, battery, rotor, a tire or installing a hidden power cutoff switch. On farm equipment with cabs, install and use locks on the doors.

• When possible, secure farm equipment either to itself or around a large tree with heavy chains and case hardened padlocks. Lower transport wheels to put pressure on them in order to prevent their easy removal.

• Batteries are favorable targets and should have lockable cases over them.

• Place lockable caps on fuel openings to prevent theft or keep vandals from putting a foreign substance in the fuel.

• Mark equipment in at least two places with an identification number and/or mark equipment with personalized markings using high visibility paint.

• Livestock in Pastures and Outlying Fields - tattoo, brand or ear tag for identification. Bear in mind, however, ear tags can be removed.

• Check fences and gates frequently for breaks, cuts or signs of rewiring.

• Use strong chains and locks on all gates and loading chutes.

• If possible, place loading chutes away from main roads or access points.

• Make daily head counts of livestock and maintain complete records.

• Post warning signs around pastures or field.

• Timber Tracts -Locate and maintain a record of the most valuable trees.

  • Mark valuable trees with a painted stripe down one side for Identification.

  • Neighbors should cooperate in watching out for trees near their homes.

  • Neighbors should be informed when trees are going to be harvested.

  • Unexplained chain saw noise should always be investigated.

Zone 3: Central Work Area

• Visibility – The central work area should be well lighted, minimizing shadows.

• Bushes, hedges and low-lying branches should be trimmed so the landscape can be viewed from the house and work areas. Store machinery and equipment in barns and farm buildings when not in use.

• Fuel Tank Security – Fuel tanks should be locked with a good padlock. Better yet, install an electronic shut-off switch in the house or locked out building. Fuel tanks should be located in visible areas, not behind barns, or out buildings.

Zone 4: Central Storage Areas

• Farm and Ranch Buildings

• Door hinges should be mounted on the interior of the door. Spot weld externally mounted hinge pins.

• Door jams should be reinforced on the interior backside near the lock with sheet steel.

• On doors use heavy-duty strike plates, attached with 2½” screws.

• Secure overhead rolling doors by drilling a hole in the track, just above the roller, and inserting a heavy padlock.

• Double-swing doors should have a well-secured track at its base so that the door cannot be swung open enough for a person to gain entrance.

• Double hung windows should be pinned by drilling a downward slanting hole through the bottom sash into the top sash and inserting a pin.

• Sliding windows can be secured by using a commercial slide-block or through the upper corner of the inside window into the outside window with an inserted nail or pin.

• Metal bars or heavy screens can be used to secure high-risk windows.

• Identification Of Property

  • Mark all tools, parts and equipment with a personal identification number.

  • Maintain a complete inventory listing of all tools, machinery and equipment. Store the inventory in at least two places.

  • Possibly use metal die stamps to identify heavy equipment.

  • Photographs or videotape can be used to identify machinery and equipment.

  
  

Vehicles and Farm Equipment

• Vehicles and farm equipment should always be locked. Do not hide the keys on the equipment itself — thieves know where to look.

• Don’t leave tools or power equipment lying in the back of a truck bed.

• Vehicle toolboxes should always be secured with a heavy padlock.

• Machinery should not be left in fields overnight, if possible, and should not be parked within easy access to, or visible from a road.

• Chain equipment or machinery together if left overnight in fields.

• Livestock Security

  • Livestock can be ear tagged, but this is a low-level security measure since ear tags can be easily removed.

  • Livestock can be tattooed and is the most preferred system for permanent identification.

  • Earmarks or ear notches can be used to identify livestock.

  • Branding, particularly cattle, horses or mules, is a visible marking system.

  • Hot branding is accomplished by applying a hot branding iron directly to the skin of the animal.

• Chemical branding utilizes caustic material that destroys the hair in the area of application.

• Freeze branding is using copper or bronze alloy irons that are cooled in dry ice and alcohol or liquid nitrogen and then applied to the animal. Freezing of the brand area results in re-growth of white hair in the shape of the brand design.
  

• Fuel Tank Security

• Fuel tanks should always be locked.

• The control switch for electrically operated fuel tank pumps should be located in the house or a locked building.

• If located above ground, the fuel tank should be visible from the house but concealed from the roadway.

• If possible, fuel tanks should be installed underground.

• Areas around fuel tanks should be well lighted.

For more information, contact the Community Affairs Section at (904) 810-6603, request more information through our Crime Prevention Information Form or send an email to any of the following:

Sgt Kim Bucher - kbucher@sjso.org (904) 810-6603

Dep Diana Bryant - dibryant@sjso.org (904) 810-6694

Dep Ricky Domingo - rdomingo@sjso.org (904) 810-6747

Dep Melissa Swindull - mswindull@sjso.org (904) 810-3623

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