NCJ Number
215557
Date Published
August 2006
Length
74 pages
Annotation
This guide provides an overview of the problem and responses to burglary at single-family house construction sites.
Abstract
Burglary at single-family house construction sites is but one of a larger set of problems related to burglary and to construction sites. Several specific responses to reduce burglary at single-family house construction sites are presented under the categories of improving builder practices and police responses. General thoughts for effective response strategy entail appropriate and practical opportunity blocking. The blocking of criminal opportunities often has a greater direct effect on offenders. Police should also establish cooperative working relationships with builders and builders should share information about burglary problems and patterns, local building practices, and loss prevention efforts. Lastly, builders should provide police with after-hours contact numbers, documentation for stolen appliances, and tool serial numbers. This guide focuses on burglary of building materials, tools, appliances, and small equipment from single-family house construction sites. Although there are many similarities between burglaries at single-family house sites and those at multifamily or commercial sites, the varying physical and logistical characteristics of the two types of sites require the utilization of very different crime prevention techniques. The theft of heavy construction equipment, such as backhoes and loaders, from single-family sites poses a unique crime prevention problem because of the size, cost, and mobility of the equipment. In identifying the problem of burglary at single-family house construction sites, law enforcement must combine the basic facts with a more specific understanding of the local problem. Analyzing the problem provides a better understanding of the factors involved. From the analysis, agencies can establish a baseline for measuring effectiveness. Appendix and references