Rural Crime Prevention

Rural communities have their own unique crime problems, like theft of crops, timber, livestock and expensive farm equipment.  Vandals do more than break mailboxes; they can destroy crops and fields.  alchol and drug abuse problems plague rural youth as well as those in the suburbs and cities.  Of course, crimes like burglary, rape, assault and auto theft happen in rural areas too. 

Invest some time and money in prevention now.  Be a good neighbor too.  When you're out and about, keep an eye on your neighbors' homes, livestock and equipment.  Call local law enforcement and tell your neighbor if you see anything that makes you uneasy or suspicious. 

Check the Doors and Locks

• Make sure outside doors - in your home and outbuildings - are solid wood or metal and have deadbolt locks.
• Use the locks!
• Secure sliding glass doors with commercially available locks or with a broomstick or wooden dowel in the track to jam the door in case someone tries to pry it open.  Inssert screws in the upper track going into the fixed frame to prevent anyone from lifting the door from its track.
• Secure double-hung windows by sliding a bolt or nail through a hole drilled at a downward angle in each top corner of the inside sash and partway throught the outside sash.  Secure basement windows well.

Check the Outside

• Keep your house, driveway, barns and other buildings well-lighted at night.  Use timers that automatically turn on outside lights when it gets dark.
• Consider motion sensors that set off lights or alarms.
• Prune back shrubbery that hides doors, windows, lights and would-be burglars.
• keep your fences in good repair.  Secure all access roads with gates or cables stretched between posts cemented in the ground.  Make them visible with flags or streamers. 
• Warn theives that you're on the alert with "No Trespassing," "No Hunting," and other signs around your property.

Mark Equipment and Livestock

• Operation Identification - marking tools, guns and equipment with a permanent unique identification number such as a driver's license or law enforcement issued number - has helped reduce theft in many rural areas.  Work with law enforcement to determine the best methods. 
• To help stop modern rustlers, tattoo all livestock (usually on the ears).  Although it's easier to use eartags or neck chains, these can be removed.  Mark young stock soon after birth. 
• Take regular counts of all livestock.
• Keep receipts of any purchases (livestock or equipment) as additional proof of ownership.
• Secure loading ramps, and holding paddocks.

Protect Your Equipment

• Secure gas pumps, gas tanks, storage bins, and grain elevators with sturdy padlocks or dead bolts.  kepp small equipment - like mowers, bikes, snowmobiles - locked in a barn or garage.  Keep guns locked and unloaded in a secure place away from curious children and would-be thieves. 
• Never leave keys in vehicles or farm equipment.
• Always lock your trucks and other vehicles when they're not in use.  Don't leave tools in the open back of a pick-up truck or in an unsecured truck bed toolbox.
• Don't leave major equipment in a field overnight.  Lock it in a barn or shed near the house, or park it where it can be seen from your house or your neighbor's.
• If machines must be left out for long periods of time, disable them by removing the rotor, distributor, or battery. 
• Photograph or video your property, particularly stud stock, machinery and those items that are not easily engraved or marked. 

Chemicals and Fertilizers

• Store chemicals and fertilizers in their original container in a locked area separate from stock feed and fuel.
• Make a detailed inventory of all chemicals and fertilizers including the product name, container description, batch numbers, expiration dates, etc.
• Keep invoices and receipts. 

The physical layout of a farm or ranch presents special problems in developing and implementing security practices.  Check your property and livestock frequently.  Don't hesitate to call law enforcement if something seems out of the ordinary or suspicious.