Prevent Video Equipment Theft

Ripped Off and Recovery

It's yours and it's gone...How to keep your equipment safe or get it back if it's ripped off.

You are starting to work more jobs that require you to drive or fly to locations away from home, maybe in cities, or maybe in rural areas where you stick out like a diamond on a pile of coal. Since getting mobile means putting your gear at risk, here are five tips to keep your stuff...your stuff.

1. Avoid High-risk Situations
You often will know ahead of time that a particular part of town has a higher crime rate. If your shoot takes you here, or somewhere unknown, consider having a friend drop you off rather than leaving some of your gear in the car. Also, using common sense goes a long way. If it's dark and a "bad" part of town, have at least one other person join you (preferably your buddy who has done stand-in work for Stallone or at least Joe Pesci).

2. Go Grunge
In some cases, you have a choice between looking professional and filling out a police theft report. In fact, it can come down to just that: the cases. If you've spent a bundle on your gear, you rightly want to protect it, but getting top-of-the line flashy armored cases may act like a flashing blue Ware-Mart light the day after Thanksgiving. Try using beat-up cases...even battered suitcases lined with J-90 foam to stash your stuff. If you need to leave your gear in the car during hot or cold weather, consider even using an ultra-cheap foam ice chest.

3. Lock, Label, and Lash
If you can't do the grunge thing and need to leave your precious gear in an unattended vehicle, you can make it as difficult as possible for a smash-and-grabber to get away. First, have each piece of equipment clearly labeled or better yet, inscribed, with an identifying number. Next, make sure your cases are locked. Finally, lash all the cases through their handles with a light to medium-duty metal cable also secured with a lock. This will all but prevent an opportunistic thief from getting away with anything, except a hernia and a lot of frustrati…