For many business owners in California, dealing with commercial property crime has become a frustrating reality. At Gee Heavy Machinery, where we store and sell valuable equipment, theft, and vandalism were ongoing challenges, even with security measures like cameras and fencing. 

Retail theft has recently gotten a lot of attention, leading to policy changes and widespread public support for Proposition 36. While those efforts are critical, industries like ours, where our merchandise is often stored outdoors, are facing an equally serious threat from theft and vandalism. 

Despite installing cameras, and other deterrents, thefts kept happening. Criminals would cut through barriers to steal valuable components and scrap metal. The security footage was rarely clear enough to identify anyone, and law enforcement, already stretched thin, didn’t have the resources to recover stolen goods. Eventually, like many businesses, we stopped reporting thefts because we knew the chances of anything being resolved were slim. 

The financial impact extended far beyond the stolen parts. A single wire harness, worth less than $30 in scrap to a thief, could cost us $25,000 to replace. Add to that the lost time of employees cleaning up, repairing damaged fences, and reviewing security footage—plus increased insurance costs—and our annual losses quickly add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

I knew something had to change. Two months into my role as manager, I started looking for a better solution, and through word-of-mouth, we found it: an electrified security fence. 

While the permitting process initially caused delays, new legislation AB 2371 (Carrillo and Flora), helped streamline approvals, allowing us to install the security technology at our Sacramento location in a matter of weeks. 

The results were immediate. While there have been attempted intrusions, no one has successfully breached the property since the fence was installed. Employees feel more secure, and instead of dealing with theft-related disruptions, we can focus on running our business. 

Financially, the investment has paid off. We estimate that the fence has helped us avoid losses of $100,000 to $200,000 annually. With those kinds of results, we are now working on obtaining permits for a similar system at our Fresno location. 

Thanks to AB 2371, more businesses can access effective security solutions without unnecessary delays. However, ongoing policy support is essential to ensure businesses can protect their assets and employees. If California wants to keep businesses thriving, addressing commercial property crime must remain a priority. 

At Gee Heavy Machinery, we’re doing our part to protect the business and our team, and other business owners should have the same ability to safeguard what matters most. 

Jason Harrison is the Facilities Manager of Gee Heavy Machinery