A series of regional events tackling heavy equipment theft will kick off June 21 at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum in Jackson. Sponsored by the National Equipment Register and the FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association, the one-day summits will bring equipment owners and law enforcement agents together to address the growing problem of equipment theft.
In addition to updating contractors on the equipment theft issue, the event will examine successful theft prevention strategies and exhibit new security technology.
Morning sessions for law enforcement agents and equipment owners will cover the equipment theft problem, why recovery rates are low, what can be done to reduce theft and what can be done to increase the chance of recovery, said David Shillingford, NER president. In the afternoon, the two groups will break out and equipment owners will learn about specific theft prevention techniques. Equipment security and recovery companies will give presentations about tracking devices, surveillance equipment, locks and alarms.
During a hosted lunch and reception at the end of the program, contractors and law enforcement representatives will have a chance to meet each other and discuss how to work together to combat equipment theft.
“That’s where we hope the local rental guy meets an area detective and a connection is made that will help both guys down the road,” said Glen Sider, operations manager for NER.
The Mississippi summit is the first event of its kind, and more than 40 people have registered since it was announced less than two weeks ago, said Sider, who estimated about 150 would attend.
“There haven’t been very many opportunities for law enforcement and contractors to get together and discuss this shared problem,” he said. “There hasn’t been as much communication as there should be about these issues, so we thought a conference that brings both groups together would be a good idea.”
You can register for the summit by calling NER at 866-663-7872 before June 14. Additional summits are planned for California, Texas and Florida this year.
