NU Online News Service, March 17, 10:24 a.m.EDT

The National Equipment Register (NER) announced the launch of anew Web site as part of its effort to help owners and insurersfight heavy equipment theft.

NER, a division of Jersey City, N.J.-based ISO Crime Analytics,said the new site features an interactive map that gives visitorsthe ability to visually analyze theft patterns throughout theUnited States.

It also allows a user to register and receive alerts aboutequipment stolen at a regional or national level, monthly andannual theft pattern analyses, and a quarterly equipment securitynewsletter.

In addition to the free services offered through the Web site,NER has developed an online portal for its IRONcheck service. For afee, used-equipment buyers or sellers can request a search of theNER database by serial number on any used piece of heavy equipmentthey are considering buying or selling.

Equipment owners, insurers and law enforcement can continue touse the Web site to report equipment thefts. Equipment details arereviewed and quality-controlled by NER's team of analysts and theftalerts sent. The loss details are made available to law enforcement24 hours a day through the National Insurance Crime Bureau(NICB).

NER, since 2001, has been collecting and analyzing thousands ofequipment thefts each year.

The company "has helped NICB and law enforcement recovermillions of dollars of stolen equipment annually," said DavidShillingford, NER president.

He added that "the Web site allows us to share much of thatvaluable data with those looking to recover stolen machines andreduce the chances of falling prey to equipment thieves. Itwouldn't be possible without the help of insurers and equipmentowners. We appreciate their support."

NER is also involved with HELPtech, a national equipment markingand registration program. In 2009, NER launched IRONcheck, amachine-history search for used-equipment buyers.

More information about NER is available at 201-469-2030 or[email protected]. The NER Website is www.nerusa.com.