MOOSE JAW — With rural crime increasing over the last decade, making the farm less convenient for criminals becomes important.
An RCMP top 10 list provides ways to make the farm less attractive to intruders and thieves.
One: Install proper lighting. Good farm yardlights help farmers from taking a knock on the shin but also are a most effective way to deter criminals.
LEDs with motion sensors can withstand harsh climates and save energy.
Two: Secure fences and gates. Good fences keep livestock in and keep unwanted visitors out.
Use durable materials that can withstand the climate and try to use locked gates or padlocks to control access.
Three: Use natural barriers. Trees make the farm more appealing and guide people to monitored areas. Avoid creating new hiding places.
Trimmed trees and bushes open sight lines so people approaching are easier to spot.
Four: Trim vegetation to avoid hiding spots
Five: Add surveillance cameras. These cameras are a great way to keep an eye on property and can be connected to cell phones.
Invest in a weatherproof camera with infrared night vision to hold up in weather and low light. High-resolution cameras help ID intruders.
Six: Secure outbuildings and equipment: Barns, shops and farm equipment are often full of expensive tools that are easy to steal and sell.
Seven: Using locks on these buildings and machines may be inconvenient for the farmer but they are equally inconvenient for thieves.
Eight: Visible signage and address. Visible signs showing property boundaries, warning about camera surveillance, or rural crime watch signs deter criminal activity.
Marked farm addresses help emergency services and neighbours to locate your place.
Nine: Establish a community watch network. Being friends with neighbours and joining Rural Crime Watch helps deter crime.
Ten: Use guard animals. Dogs can deter two-legged and four-legged predators. Tools left out in the open make easy targets for thieves.
Securing and tracking assets makes theft more difficult and increases chances of recovery. Consider engraving ID numbers on tools.
Ron Walter can be reached at [email protected]
