Grrr! We were robbed

[Treelimbjim]

Last night our chip truck got raided right in the yard. One of my crew saw my pole saws laid out next to the truck and doors hanging open. He thought it unusual since I methodically try to keep the doors closed and latched.

Of all the stuff on the truck, they got a climbing saw, ground saw, two blowers, Cowboys insignia hardhat, and one gear bag with Bfly II. Locks cut but nothing stored in those compartments. Our campus police took the report, and luckily we recorded serial numbers. They're also looking into surveillance camera recordings.

I speculate it was a more common thief, otherwise the [list of expensive and specialized equipment deleted] would have gone-- unless they didn't get enough time. Grrr!

Didn't siphon the gas!

This will start a course of corrective actions. Besides just venting frustration, maybe the thread could be put to constructive use.

1. We're going to re-inventory stuff, including the stuff in the bone yard.
2. Locks and latches updated on the truck.
3. The gates closed and locked properly and consistently.

 

[Crazy_Jimmy]

Man that stinks Jim.

 

[Paul Biester]

Hey man I am very sorry to hear that!! That is something I woory about . I used to have a big Chow that gaurded my stuff but he passed.
I need security!!!!
Venting always good therapy !! so sorry that stinks big time!!

 

[ChuckR]

Sucks. Why not have IR cameras or at least give the appearance of cameras everywhere? Make it look like high tech surveillance with signage. Or would that even help?

 

[Kman]

I know how you feel Jim. I left the gate over in NY unlocked this winter and had 2 trucks messed with. Nothing stolen but they vandalized the trucks.

 

[easyphloem]

Jim,

I am so mad to hear you got your equipment broken into and stolen.

We have been robbed many times over the years. The feeling of being violated is a hard one to get rid of.

Keeping a good inventory is a good place to start. We got robbed once in the early 2000s, and it took us months to figure out all the stuff they actually took.

Every time we needed a rarely used tool, we would look all over and then realize that it must have been taken in "the great heist".


On a positive note, the thieves may have been doing you a favor when they stole this item....

[ QUOTE ]
Cowboys insignia hardhat

[/ QUOTE ]



GO STEELERS!



SZ

 

[Colin]

That ain't funny.

<font color="green">The TreeHouse</font>

Every click a different pic!

 

[easyphloem]

[ QUOTE ]
That ain't funny.

[/ QUOTE ]


Neither is the Cowboys' post-season record over the last decade.



Boo-Ya.



SZ

 

[surftree]

sorry to hear that nothing safe anymore hope they catch those thieves

 

[Noel]

for inventory, I used to go through and keep a paper copy of everything in the shop that was of value. After reading the inventory sheet and realizing that it was outdated in a rather short time with 6-7 climbers always bringing in new stuff, I knew I'd have to have a better system. Now I am going to bring in my digital camcorder, and film as each of my guys sorts through their gear bag and shows what they have, every little piece. Then go through the shop and film every thing of value, even the office furnishings, etc. If the place burns down or we get ripped off, at least I have a good record of every single thing we have lost. I'm sorry Jim, I know that all too many people on this site, including myself, have been there.

 

[Jman]

I think I'm going to stop storing my gear in my truck when I bring it home from work. Starting to see to many of these post about people getting gear stolen. Sorry for your loss. I hope something turns up.

 

[familytree]

[ QUOTE ]
I think I'm going to stop storing my gear in my truck when I bring it home from work. Starting to see to many of these post about people getting gear stolen. Sorry for your loss. I hope something turns up.

[/ QUOTE ]

you probably should man, especially around those parts, i started my career out in VA beach area and my boss was always looking to rip someone off, the company name was carter and costello tree professionals, they are definetely not professionals, there was a couple of other companys around there on princess anne rd down near chesapeake as well that were less then reputable, Scottys tree service being one of them, just be careful

As far as an inventory sheet goes, we keep an extensive inventory sheet in each of our trucks, not so much for thieves, but instead so that if something is missing my boss can make us buy him a new one

 

[Tom Dunlap]

After taping or getting pictures of inventory be sure to store the digi record in a secure place. Safety deposit box is a good idea or make duplicates and have them stored at several people's houses.

Our Dad used to lable things 'Stolen from OE Dunlap'. That's where I got the idea for painting my gear pink

 

[Treelimbjim]

Thanks to you all for the support. The second biggest annoyance was the thought they would return for the rest of the goodies. I know the statistics for that is low.

This is another opportunity to tighten up rather than shore up the processes. Working with our Police and Risk Mgmt. departments has been interesting.

There's not going to be too many climbers in my area sporting a BFII with Gator biners and small lanyard snaps. Didn't take down the harness' S/N. Who'd a thunk. Now I will.

 

[TimberMcPherson]

I engrave my name and free phone number on every saw/hedge trimmer and blower at least 5 times, and I usually unbolt a part and engrave under there to. It might not stop them from getting stolen but it makes it VERY hard for them to sell them off for good money. If nothing else theres that satisfaction they youve pissed the thief off.

 

[Kman]

[ QUOTE ]
I engrave my name and free phone number on every saw/hedge trimmer and blower at least 5 times, and I usually unbolt a part and engrave under there to. It might not stop them from getting stolen but it makes it VERY hard for them to sell them off for good money. If nothing else theres that satisfaction they youve pissed the thief off.

[/ QUOTE ]

Good idea!!!

 

[jerseywild]

[ QUOTE ]
After taping or getting pictures of inventory be sure to store the digi record in a secure place. Safety deposit box is a good idea or make duplicates and have them stored at several people's houses.

Our Dad used to lable things 'Stolen from OE Dunlap'. That's where I got the idea for painting my gear pink

[/ QUOTE ]

Tom,
I thought you picked pink so it would match you nails.

 

[arboriststrong]

Why not use a live trap. It worked really well on the raccoon that was raiding my chicken house. Then I relocated him to a wooded area with several highways between us.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Where would we relocate the criminals that were caught in the live traps?

'Transport' to Australia stopped many years ago

 

[CHOPPER]

criminals were the lucky British