An organization that fights construction equipment theft warned today that equipment owners, dealers and rental companies in the Gulf region should take steps to make their machines secure because thievery increases after a hurricane.

In advance of Hurricane Ike, National Equipment Register spokesman David Shillingford advised by e-mail that the NER after hurricane Katrina had "spent a huge amount of time responding to and working on theft and fraud cases" which "could have been avoided if certain precautions had been taken."

David Grant Mossman, an NER senior analyst, said in a statement that when post-hurricane cleanup efforts begin, the vulnerability of and demand for equipment will undoubtedly result in increased thefts, and owners that take steps to address this will be less likely to be targeted.

"Con men, fraud artists and unscrupulous contractors will descend on the areas impacted by the storm. Past storms show that they will collect equipment along the way, by theft and fraud.

"Specialty equipment like brush chippers, stump grinders and especially generators should particularly be protected--rental companies and dealers should keep these machines inside your yards."

Among some of his suggestions for owners:

o Do not allow crews to abandon machines on job sites--if possible, return all equipment to yards.

o Machines that must be left on sites should be disabled.

o Have operators document specifically which machines were left where, and how they were disabled. If parts were removed, document where they are stored for reinstallation.

NER said it normally recommends machines be parked in highly visible areas to deter vandalism and theft, but in areas where bad weather will reduce the chance of public observation, machines should be concealed or parked out of view as well as disabled.

NER also advised owners to post contact information on and in equipment, in case emergency responders need access to the equipment.

The organization said owners should update their NER registration and be sure emergency contact details are current on their registration profile, and that their inventory is current.

Local law enforcement should be advised of equipment in the area and, if it is needed, they should contact the owner instead of commandeering the machines, NER said.

After the storm, owners should survey their equipment, be sure all machines are accounted for, and report any thefts as soon as local law enforcement is able to respond.

NER can record thefts on the NER system even if a police report cannot be made yet, the group reminded. NER is reachable by calling 866-663-7872 and hitting option two or online at http://nerusa.com/submit_theft.asp.