Farm406

farm406 36 since they were mixed up with other stolen hives. He quarantined the returning bees in a separate field well away from other bees. So far a third of those bees have died, a third seem okay, and it is questionable about the other third. He will know whether the remaining bees are healthy in the fall when disease that kills honey bees is most rampant. Thieves don't like light. Put in pole lights and security lights so distant shops and sheds can be seen. Signs indicating active alarms, detectors, or surveillance devices are deterrence for those who might come to the farm for a legitimate reason but are casing the property for a future unlawful visit. Establish a check-in point for all deliveries. A variety of cameras can be used for surveillance, such as bullet cameras, dome cameras, and PTZ (Pan, Tilt and Zoom) cameras. For instance, some cameras track moving objects. Wireless cameras connect into a network. From multiples sites—even on different farms—cameras can be installed where viewing on the home computer can occur both live and as a recording. The 360-degree camera can patrol, and those infrared models collect scenes in the dark. To help law officials, the recordings are time stamped. Recordings can be played with the view from a single camera or viewed as a series of cameras in a synchronized playback. Take photos and videos of assets to support insurance claims. Try to include in those photos identifying backgrounds as proof that the asset was located on your property. With the photos include dates, serial numbers and model numbers. It may be best to store this information off site should the farm's office be destroyed. After all of these measures have been taken, look for outside expertise by someone who will provide an impartial risk assessment of what could improve protection from theft. County extension agents, local law enforcement personnel, or insurance agents are the best places to start. Being Prepared if Something Has Been Stolen Although paint can be removed, put an identifying mark in a bright color on equipment's cab top. This way the thieves might not think to look there and the mark can be seen from the air. The FBI has created an ID program to track stolen items. Each state and county has an assigned number recorded with the NCIC (National Crime Information Center.) The county sheriff's department will issue the number's remaining portion to each individual owner and maintain that number in its active records. Once this identification number has been assigned, the farmer marks the tools and equipment to make it easy to identify by authorities responding to theft cases. The ID number can also be applied to household goods, such as guns, power tools, etc. In some states, this ID system is being used in identification of grain by adding small bits of paper with the number mixed into the grain. Farm theft turns out to be low risk for the culprit because the chances of getting caught are not as great as with other crimes. Farmers play into the hands of thieves because of their relaxed attitudes, but times have changed. Everyone should take some time to protect their assets from theft and to increase the possibility that items can be retrieved by being prepared. Lloyd Cunniff, owner of Beeline Honey in Choteau, Montana, had his honey bees stolen in California last winter. Now he is trying to prevent bears from stealing the honey.

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