1. ^aCriminology and Criminal Justice, Florida Atlantic University, 500 NW California Blvd, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986, U.S.A. E-mail: rboba@fau.edu
2. ^bPort St. Lucie Police Department, 121 SW Port St. Lucie Blvd, Port St. Lucie, FL 34984, U.S.A. E-mail: rsantos@cityofpsl.com

Abstract

Construction site theft is recognized as a concern by the United States as well as many other countries around the world. Estimates from the United States indicate that between one and four billion dollars worth of materials, tools, as well as large and small equipment are stolen every year. This article – on theft from individual house construction sites, subdivisions of homes, larger multifamily sites, and commercial sites – provides a synthesis of the research, known crime prevention practices, the evaluation results of techniques used to prevent construction site theft and the implications for security. Unfortunately, a predominant theme of this comprehensive review is that there is limited research on the nature of construction site theft and there are only a handful of evaluations specifically addressing crime prevention techniques used to impact construction site theft. Particular gaps in the literature are identified throughout the article to advance research on this crime.