The True Cost of Doing Nothing: How Onsite Police Presence Saves Money on Construction Sites
Construction sites are like magnets—for opportunity, progress... and unfortunately, crime.
Equipment theft, vandalism, trespassing, and injury-related liability claims cost the construction industry billions every year. But what if the solution to those losses was simpler—and more cost-effective—than most managers realize?
Let’s break it down: Hiring sworn police officers for onsite security doesn’t cost you money. It saves you money.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Theft and Losses Add Up Fast
According to the National Equipment Register, construction site theft costs U.S. companies between $300 million and $1 billion annually, not including the delays and indirect losses that come with it.
Common losses include:
Stolen tools, generators, and machinery
Vandalized job trailers and equipment
Copper and building material theft
Fires set by trespassers or squatters
Liability claims from unauthorized persons injured on-site
Even a single stolen excavator or damaged HVAC unit can set your project timeline back days or weeks—costing thousands in lost labor, delays, and insurance premiums.
Sworn Police Officers vs. Traditional Security Guards
Not all security options offer the same level of deterrence.
Security guards may provide a presence, but they often lack the legal authority to take immediate action. By contrast, having a sworn Indiana police officer on site communicates one thing loud and clear:
"This site is monitored. This site is protected. And this site will prosecute."
Police officers are trained in criminal law, de-escalation, and emergency response. More importantly, their presence is a real-time deterrent—not just a symbolic one.
Lower Insurance Risk = Lower Premiums and Fewer Claims
Insurance providers love it when a client invests in prevention. Why? Because it reduces the chance they’ll have to pay out on a claim.
When you have professional law enforcement on site, you're not just reducing the risk of theft—you’re also:
Protecting against liability from trespasser injuries
Preventing vandalism that leads to downtime
Creating verifiable records of incidents
Potentially qualifying for lower insurance premiums
Cost vs. Value: It’s Not Even Close
Let’s say your site experiences just one serious theft or vandalism incident every 6 months. Here’s a rough idea of what that might cost:
Incident Estimated Cost
-Stolen Copper -$5,000-$15,000
-Vandalized Machinery -$10,000-$50,000
-Delay due to theft -$2,000+ per day+
-Liability Claim -$10,000-$100,000+
Now compare that to the cost of hiring an officer—even for overnight patrols or high-risk weekends.
The investment pays for itself the first time it prevents a single incident.
A Real-World Partner in Prevention
At Call Off Duty, Inc., we partner with general contractors, developers, and construction managers across Indiana to provide reliable, professional site protection using off-duty sworn officers. Our services include:
After-hours patrols
Traffic and gate monitoring
Access control and documentation
Response-ready presence in case of emergencies
You don’t just get security. You get a deterrent, a report writer, and a first responder—all in one uniformed professional.
Make the Case to Your Leadership
If you’re trying to convince your leadership team or project manager to invest in security, here’s the simple pitch:
“Hiring professional law enforcement security helps us protect equipment, avoid downtime, reduce claims, and keep insurance costs under control. It’s not just safety—it’s smart business.”
Want a quote or have a project in mind? Call Off Duty, Inc. makes it easy to get started with short-term or long-term construction site protection.