NU Online News Service, March 17, 10:24 a.m. EDT
The National Equipment Register (NER) announced the launch of a new Web site as part of its effort to help owners and insurers fight 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 visitors the ability to visually analyze theft patterns throughout the United States.
It also allows a user to register and receive alerts about equipment stolen at a regional or national level, monthly and annual theft pattern analyses, and a quarterly equipment security newsletter.
In addition to the free services offered through the Web site, NER has developed an online portal for its IRONcheck service. For a fee, used-equipment buyers or sellers can request a search of the NER database by serial number on any used piece of heavy equipment they are considering buying or selling.
Equipment owners, insurers and law enforcement can continue to use the Web site to report equipment thefts. Equipment details are reviewed and quality-controlled by NER's team of analysts and theft alerts sent. The loss details are made available to law enforcement 24 hours a day through the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).
NER, since 2001, has been collecting and analyzing thousands of equipment thefts each year.
The company "has helped NICB and law enforcement recover millions of dollars of stolen equipment annually," said David Shillingford, NER president.
He added that "the Web site allows us to share much of that valuable data with those looking to recover stolen machines and reduce the chances of falling prey to equipment thieves. It wouldn't be possible without the help of insurers and equipment owners. We appreciate their support."
NER is also involved with HELPtech, a national equipment marking and registration program. In 2009, NER launched IRONcheck, a machine-history search for used-equipment buyers.
More information about NER is available at 201-469-2030 or info@nersua.com. The NER Web site is www.nerusa.com.
© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.