Copper is a valuable metal that is often one of the most lucrative parts of a trip to a scrapyard. As a result, criminals will sometimes raid businesses not to steal merchandise, but instead to strip the business of copper from appliances such as air conditioners. While the thief may acquire a few hundred dollars at the most, the damage caused can run in the thousands. There is also lost income as you are forced to suspend business while making necessary repairs. Luckily, there are some security measures you can use to prevent this from happening.
Make It Harder To Steal The Copper
Changing the color of the copper will make it harder to be identified and it will be less likely to be stolen. Copper pipes can be painted black to look like normal plastic pipes. For air conditioners, get a pressure gauge. If the line is cut in order to access the copper within the AC unit, the pressure gauge will cause the alarm to go off and the police can be called more quickly, increasing the chances that the offenders will be caught.
Don't Store Too Much Copper
If you are a business that frequently stores large quantities of copper, it is important to have your deliveries broken up more so that not too much copper is at your facility for too long. Also, varying the time in which the copper is delivered will also make it harder for criminals to know when there is a large quantity of copper on your property.
Assist Local Law Enforcement
Working with law enforcement is an essential part of reducing copper theft. When thieves find themselves more frequently punished for the theft of copper, they are much less likely to attempt to steal it. To help make law enforcement efforts a greater success, your business will need to coordinate more closely with them and provide information that can assist in the capture of the thieves. This includes the use of security guards, if they can be justified, and surveillance cameras. Given that copper is often stolen at night, the surveillance cameras must use night vision.
Install motion sensors nearby areas where copper are located. Motion-activated lights will prevent thieves from relying on the cover of darkness and the sudden flood of light might be enough to scare the intruder away. To know the best places for these security measures and others, contact a commercial security specialist for a consultation. Companies like A Tech / Easy Living Store may be able to help meet your needs in this area.
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