Canada is experiencing a surge of construction activity in major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Winnipeg. While new construction developments bring exciting economic advantages, they also bring opportunities for theft of valuable materials and equipment, causing unnecessary and costly delays to construction timelines. In 2021 alone, construction thefts in Canada reached $1 billion, with most construction site thefts occurring over the weekend. These factors highlight the need for off-hours construction site security. In this blog, we’ll explore how mobile security patrols can protect your construction site when it’s most vulnerable.
Why Do Construction Sites Need Security?
Construction sites house expensive equipment, heavy machinery, and valuable materials such as copper which may tempt thieves. Replacing machinery can be incredibly expensive and cause costly delays. However, when factoring in the man-hours required to procure replacement tools and materials, delays to productivity, and the cost of replacing the stolen goods themselves, it’s easy to see how thefts can end up costing construction companies money in hidden fees.
Aside from thefts, construction sites often fall victim to vandalism, which causes delays and can necessitate expensive repairs. Unauthorized access is typically a key contributor In cases of both theft and vandalism. Having a dedicated security team on site to prevent unauthorized visitors from accessing the site helps to save money and headaches in the long term.
When Should My Construction Site Be Protected?
Your construction site may benefit from an on-site security presence during working hours if it’s located in a high-foot traffic area or an area that has an elevated crime rate. Higher foot traffic can lead to unauthorized individuals gaining access to secure areas under crowd cover.
There are multiple security guard options available for on-site security. Here are some of the most common types of security guards found on construction sites:
- Uniformed Security Guards: These security guards perform patrols throughout the site or stand guard at key areas, such as access points or near heavy machinery. All security guards at Blackbird Security receive Standard First Aid as part of our in-house training program, Blackbird Academy. This allows them to support with injuries until first responders arrive.
- Gatehouse Security Guards: For construction sites that have a gatehouse permitting vehicle entry, gatehouse security guards manage visitor check-ins and maintain a log of all visitors. This is crucial to ensure that only authorized vehicles gain access to the construction site, preventing confusion and potential thefts.
- Front Desk Security Guards: Similar to gatehouse security guards, front desk security guards manage visitor logs and check identification for all site visitors. They also monitor CCTV footage feeds from the front desk, allowing for total a complete view of the site.
However, on-site security may not be enough for most construction sites. it’s estimated that 90% of construction equipment thefts take place between 6pm Friday and 6am Monday, meaning your construction site is at its most vulnerable when the majority of workers are enjoying their weekend. This is where mobile security patrols come in.
How Mobile Security Patrols Safeguard Your Construction Site
Mobile security patrols are a cost-effective solution for construction security during your site’s off hours. These patrols are conducted by a security guard in a marked vehicle throughout the day or night. Similar to standard security patrols, your mobile security guard will check key areas of your site for vulnerabilities or signs of damage, such as the site’s perimeter, secure areas and boxes, heavy machinery, and access points. Additionally, they will monitor for an address any vagrants who may find their way into the site.
Mobile patrols can be scheduled at random intervals, providing an element of deterrence as potential thieves will not be able to gauge a time to break into the site. Additionally, the presence of a security vehicle on-site during off-hours functions as a strong element of deterrence itself, communicating to criminals that a site is secure.
Should your mobile security guard find evidence of theft or vandalism, you will be immediately notified through our real-time reporting software, TrackTik. Additionally, the mobile security guard will contact law enforcement and begin the process of collecting evidence and CCTV camera footage.
Since mobile security guards aren’t stationed at your construction site for a full shift, mobile security is a less expensive alternative to static patrols while providing a similar level of service. This makes them an incredibly useful solution for bolstering your site’s security during off hours.
Partner With Canada’s Number One Construction Security Company
At Blackbird Security, construction security is one of our specialties. We protect a number of major developments throughout Canada, including the redevelopment of Oakridge Park in Vancouver. Investing in high-quality construction site security is a necessity that saves countless amounts of time and money over the long term. Get in touch with us through the form below to learn how we can help safeguard your site.
In addition to construction site security, we offer services in the following areas:
- Mobile Patrol Security
- Construction Security
- Uniformed Security
- Elite Suit & Tie Security
- Executive Protection
- Office & Facilities Security
- Government Security
- Event Security
- Shopping Mall Security
- Front Gate Security
- Factory Security
- Shipyard Security
- Transportation Security
- Overnight Security
- Logistic Security
- Warehouse Security
- Hotel Security
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