{"id":529,"date":"2018-02-20T10:55:33","date_gmt":"2018-02-20T18:55:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cppsocal.org\/?p=529"},"modified":"2018-04-06T12:34:09","modified_gmt":"2018-04-06T19:34:09","slug":"communication-is-key","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cppsocal.org\/communication-is-key\/","title":{"rendered":"Communication Is Key"},"content":{"rendered":"

Feeling Frustrated? <\/strong><\/p>\n

By Melissa Somers, Director CPP SoCal<\/p>\n

\u201cTo Conquer frustration, one must remain intensely focused on the outcome, not the obstacles.\u201d T.F. Hodge<\/em><\/p>\n

In the world of heavy equipment theft there seems to be a prevailing theme among individuals in both the construction industry and law enforcement: frustration.<\/p>\n

Both parties have an intimate knowledge of their own worlds but when the two collide in the form of a theft, good communication is the key that opens the door to resolution. The reality is that \u2013 through no one\u2019s fault –\u00a0 individuals in the construction industry and law enforcement are speaking different languages and the lines of communication get crossed.\u00a0 Using language and terminology that\u2019s second nature to you to report incidents might be inadvertently harming your chances of a recovery if that lingo isn\u2019t familiar to the reporting officer.\u00a0 While dealing with miscommunication issues can be frustrating, it\u2019s important to realize that successful communication is about all<\/em> parties understanding the situation and details clearly.<\/p>\n

Consider this:<\/p>\n

A \u201cserial number\u201d to someone in the construction industry is referred to as a \u201cVIN\u201d by law enforcement. You could tell a police officer that a \u201cgenerator\u201d has been stolen but he has no reason to know the difference between a towable generator or a portable one.\u00a0 And while this may appear to be irrelevant, it could make the difference between getting your property back and having to replace the item.\u00a0 Law enforcement enters a loss in one of two systems: APS (Automated Property System) or SVS (Stolen Vehicle System) and where<\/em> the item is entered makes all the difference in the world.\u00a0 If your equipment has LoJack and is entered into the APS instead of SVS, the LoJack system will not be activated. \u00a0\u00a0To many, heavy equipment is that strange, intimidating dirty vehicle left at the side of the freeway when it\u2019s being worked on while we\u2019re stuck in the traffic the weird beasts are creating and that\u2019s about it.\u00a0 The Average Joe has no reason to know the difference between a backhoe or a Bobcat; a skid steer or a scraper. Good communication is the key to getting everyone on the same page.<\/p>\n

Having organized, complete information on hand to report the incident is vital. Knowing HOW to best convey the information is just as important.<\/p>\n