Catalytic Converter Thefts

Catalytic converter (CC) thefts have received a lot of attention in the media the past few years. Crooks are finding cars in remote parking lots and quickly disassembling the CC to sell the precious metals on the black market, which can fetch up to $800.

These thefts typically happen in parking lots. It could be you are visiting a relative at a hospital, and your car gets nailed. It might be when you park for a concert in a nearby lot. Thieves don’t care whether it’s your personal or work vehicle. All are targets.

While stealing CC’s is more common in big cities, smaller communities are not immune. What should be done? What does H&S Protection recommend?

Vehicle owners should park in well-lit places, or close to the building/facility  they are entering. The bigger question is what large parking lot owners should be doing.

It’s common sense that these lots should install security cameras. Signs should be posted throughout the parking areas that cameras are in use. H&S recommends this approach as a prevention tactic for any business that has CC theft issues.

What other areas provide thieves with an incentive to steal CC’s? Two stand out to us. One is overnight remote parking (think airport parking lots). Another is business vehicle fleet parking. The bigger the vehicle, the more the CC is worth, so fleet trucks are especially vulnerable.

If you need help with an analysis of your parking area to help protect your clients, customers or patients, please give us a call at H&S. We’d be glad to sit down and discuss the best approach to safely cover your parking lot with high quality security cameras. In central Wisconsin, call 715.344.0727. In SE Wisconsin, call 262.574.7777.

What’s Changing?

Like other industries, the electronic security business changes to keep pace with technology. Sometimes this happens quickly, sometimes gradually. What does this mean for our customers?

Whether you are looking for a security system or already do business with H&S Protection, you might know just from looking around at retail establishments or manufacturing facilities that the use of cameras is on the rise. One major variable driving this growth is the ease of viewing  cameras remotely.

Managers wanting to keep a closer eye on security concerns or their processes can  quickly and easily see video footage from home or from their phone.  Ten years ago, quick video access through the internet was not so easy.

A second change is that technology is both easier to use and install. This holds advantages for you to consider when assessing whether you want to employ some form of security system. When you know your staff can learn  and utilize a system quickly and with minimal training, that makes a big difference. H&S is here to help you with that process.

Finally, training itself has changed and continues to evolve.   With our new hands-on training station in Pewaukee , WI, we can now work with customers remotely to explain how to more effectively work with the technology we install.

H&S is here for you. Reach us in Stevens Point at 715.344.0727 or Pewaukee at 262.574.7777.