Off-Farm Income (rural crime)

A few weeks ago my tip of the week was to use a forensic marking technology, such as Smart Water, to identify your property and to prevent the thefts in the first place. However, this wasn't actually my tip. This was a recommendation that a constable in the U.K. had made when he was interviewed about preventing sheep thefts in that country.

As I looked into what this technology was, I became very intrigued. Going down this rabbit hole ultimately led me to Randy Butschillinger, who is our expert guest on today's show. As you will find out in today's interview, this technology is actually very old and trusted, and it is being used in more places than you might think already. The applications for this seem endless, and the crime prevention possibilities make me very optimistic!

Direct download: Randy_Butschillinger_Episode_1180_-_9_14_21_11.58_AM.mp3
Category:rural crime -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Sat, 4 September 2021

OFI 1168: Would You Steal Bread To Feed Your Family? How About Hay To Feed Your Horses? | Rural Crime

Tip Of The Week

Consider tech like Smart Water CSI to protect your valuable equipment:

https://smartwatercsi.com

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.nbc11news.com/2021/08/28/agriculture-theft-vandalism-grand-junction/

https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/the-old-west-crime-of-livestock-rustling-appears-to-be-increasing-in-utah

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.westerninvestor.com/british-columbia/hay-rustlers-reveal-depth-of-drought-desperation-4271864

https://www.punchline-gloucester.com/articles/aanews/advice-for-rural-communities-following-gps-system-thefts-across-england

https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/crime/vandals-smash-up-farmers-tractors-and-leave-death-threats

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/crime/norfolk-police-team-up-to-target-hare-coursers-8262754

Direct download: OFI_1168_Rural_Crime_-_9221_7.25_PM.mp3
Category:rural crime -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Sat, 21 August 2021

OFI 1156: Getting A Faster Response From Law Enforcement

Tip Of The Week

Consider using an alarm system with video incorporated to get a faster response from law enforcement.

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.ky3.com/2021/08/13/thief-steals-tractor-john-deere-gator-skyline-school-district/

https://www.wtvq.com/2021/08/10/in-two-cases-boyle-authorities-need-info-on-theft-suspect-stolen-atv/

https://www.wdbj7.com/2021/08/09/search-pittsylvania-county-tractor-thief/

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/people/earls-barton-family-business-welcomes-robocop-style-crime-fighting-automated-guard-3342497

https://uknip.co.uk/breaking/news-269821/rural-crime-investigators-are-appealing-for-information-after-two-sheep-were-killed-in-a-field-near-sittingbourne/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.wrdw.com/2021/08/09/ga-deputies-shoot-man-chase-after-rural-mail-carrier-killed/

https://www.farminguk.com/news/man-who-stole-87k-worth-of-sheep-handed-prison-sentence_58730.html

Direct download: OFI_1156_Rural_Crime_-_82021_5.28_PM.mp3
Category:rural crime -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Sat, 14 August 2021

OFI 1150: Son, What Is A Horse Doing In Your Bedroom? | Rural Crime Edition

Tip Of The Week

Consider used storage containers as a means of rural crime prevention:

https://www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk/news/19509453.storage-containers-act-deterrent-rural-thieves/

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.klkntv.com/catalytic-converter-theft-leads-to-a-flipped-car-and-two-arrests/

https://abc-7.com/news/crime/2021/08/11/charlotte-deputies-look-to-stop-agriculture-thieves-with-operation-loose-wire/

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/19510921.loving-mule-stabbed-face-evil-attack/

https://www.realagriculture.com/2021/08/hay-theft-and-scams-increase-as-drought-continues/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://eminetra.com/man-arrested-after-deputies-find-stolen-horse-inside-bedroom-in-oconee-co-valley-stream-new-york/688348/

https://www.ktlo.com/2021/08/11/man-accused-of-cattle-theft-faces-new-charges/

Direct download: OFI_1150_Rural_Crime_-_81321_12.18_PM.mp3
Category:rural crime -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Sat, 7 August 2021

OFI 1144: Secure Your Copper, The Thieves Are Coming | Rural Crime Edition

Tip Of The Week

Guard your equipment that contains copper. There is a copper shortage coming which will drive the price up, and this will lead to more theft:

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.butlercountytimesgazette.com/story/news/2021/08/05/el-dorado-police-searching-suspect-who-entered-orscheln-farm-and-home/5504702001/

https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2021/08/04/award-winning-horse-stolen-butler-county/

https://www.cleburnetimesreview.com/news/reward-offered-in-case-of-stolen-horses/article_37c639ce-f468-11eb-bdee-af82c1ba4c2d.html

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.knutsfordguardian.co.uk/news/19494441.gangs-target-farms-amid-rise-rural-crime-across-cheshire/

https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/crime/farmers-warned-over-summer-spike-in-sheep-thefts

https://www.farmersjournal.ie/over-500-cattle-reported-missing-or-stolen-so-far-in-2021-637123

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

http://www.magnoliareporter.com/news_and_business/regional_news/article_aebf0d54-f502-11eb-9e55-4f0e12c72caf.html

https://www.macon.com/news/local/crime/cop-shop-blog/article252790378.html

Direct download: OFI_1144_Rural_Crime_-_8621_3.26_PM.mp3
Category:rural crime -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Sat, 31 July 2021

OFI 1138: It's Time To Get Your Brands Registered - At Least In Texas

Tip Of The Week

Get your brands registered…at least in Texas

https://theeagle.com/landandlivestockpost/mark-your-calendars-it-s-brand-registration-time/article_b76a85d6-db45-11eb-936a-4b75ed0d9fee.html

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://kfor.com/news/former-county-commissioner-charged-after-allegedly-taking-tractor-from-tinker-air-force-base/

https://kymkemp.com/2021/07/20/missing-possibly-stolen-horse-in-ferndale/

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1464340/Dogs-seized-police-Virginia-Crosbie

https://asumetech.com/jeremy-clarksons-fury-after-unannounced-visitors-discovered-wandering-on-his-farm/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://whcuradio.com/news/025520-cortland-county-man-pleads-guilty-to-2020-burglary/

https://www.wkyt.com/2021/07/20/seven-arrested-connection-with-string-catalytic-converter-thefts/

Direct download: OFI_1138_Rural_Crime_-_72321_4.42_PM.mp3
Category:rural crime -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Sat, 24 July 2021

OFI 1132: Time To Escape The Police In A Kayak | Rural Crime Edition

Tip Of The Week

We are a very large country, geographically and numerically. Don’t forget your fellow citizens who are dealing with issues that do not happen in your back yard.

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.bigcountrynewsconnection.com/local/farm-groups-ask-biden-to-secure-border-enforce-u-s-immigration-laws/article_5982e380-6d23-58a3-8029-edc0f12e08a4.html

https://www.facebook.com/208481162694659/posts/1657057351170359/?d=n

https://www.toledoblade.com/local/animals/2021/07/19/owner-authorities-search-for-three-horses-taken-from-locked-pasture-fulton-county/stories/20210719125

https://www.facebook.com/ahorsesheart/posts/5774095495998135/

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.mysteinbach.ca/news/9308/john-deere-tractor-stolen-from-hanover-farm-police-investigating/

https://cumbriacrack.com/2021/07/20/136-sheep-stolen-from-north-cumbria/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.elba-clipper.com/news/elba-man-arrested-after-stealing-atv-from-elba-fire-department/article_40eef830-eb01-11eb-94c2-9b49a5ed15c7.html

https://soundcloud.com/dbsupply/db-show-episode-110-volunteer-fire-fighting

https://www.wdrb.com/news/greenville-ky-woman-accused-of-stealing-kayak-tractor-in-effort-to-evade-police/article_a324662a-eafc-11eb-9828-536d928e2244.html

Direct download: OFI_1132_Rural_Crime_-_72321_4.31_PM.mp3
Category:rural crime -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Sat, 17 July 2021

OFI 1126: Get On Your Police Tractor And Ride!

Tip Of The Week

Hire people slowly, and trust your gut when anything suspicious happens

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/manager-accused-of-stealing-50k-from-organic-farm-on-whidbey/

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/recent-string-of-arson-fires-appear-to-target-farm-equipment-in-ventura-oxnard/ar-AAMa1uP

https://www.areawidenews.com/story/2894984.html

BOL - https://www.valleycentral.com/news/over-40k-worth-of-equipment-stolen-at-school-pharr-police-ask-for-help/

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.cranbrooktownsman.com/community/cranbrook-rcmp-looking-for-volunteers/

https://www.miragenews.com/farmers-urged-to-be-vigilant-as-pair-sentenced-595253/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/272614-the-story-behind-police-tractors.html

Direct download: OFI_1126_Rural_Crime_-_71521_6.36_PM.mp3
Category:rural crime -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Sat, 3 July 2021

OFI 1114: Even On 4th Of July Weekend, Rural Crime Does Not Stop

Our weekly look into the world of rural crime and how to prevent rural crime. Folks in rural communities are dealing with crime and delinquency too, but it gets almost no media coverage. We aim to change that here.

Direct download: OFI_1114__Even_On_4th_Of_July_Weekend_Rural_Crime_Does_Not_Stop.mp3
Category:rural crime -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Sat, 15 May 2021

OFI 1072: Stolen Timber and Black Market Lumber

On today's rural crime episode, Matt talks to Captian Greg Whitehead with the Tennessee Ag Crime Investigation Unit about protecting farmers from being victims of rural crime. They discuss what kinds of crimes the unit investigates, how prolific is the theft of timber, and what can people do to protect themselves from this happening.

Is there a black market for stolen timber or is there just no way for legitimate sellers to know any difference?

Direct download: OFI_1072_-_Greg_Whitehead_TN_Ag_Crime_Mixdown_1.mp3
Category:rural crime -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Sat, 27 March 2021

OFI 1030: How To Find A Stolen Horse, Even Ten Years Later

SHOW NOTES

On our rural crime episodes of the Off-Farm Income Podcast, we talk about livestock theft frequently. It is significantly more pervasive than anyone would ever suspect. And since the prices of puppies have skyrocketed during the pandemic we have covered a lot of stories about the theft of dogs and puppies.

There is a real difference between the theft of livestock and dogs. One is basically, purely monetary, and one is very emotional because a dog is a member of the family. Well, there is one species of livestock that reaches both parts of this divide, and that is horses. Horses have commercial value, they are used for working and they also become part of the family just like a pet. So, when a horse is stolen it can be devastating and have long-term impacts both financially and emotionally.

Two weeks ago I covered a story about the recovery of a mule in Texas. In the story, I found out that a non-profit organization called Net Posse was responsible for the recovery. I reached out to them, and in today's episode, we are lucky enough to have the founder, Debbi Metcalf, on the show.

Debi is going to tell us all about how Net Posse works, what you can do to prevent horse theft, and about the seedy underworld dealing in stolen horses and other livestock. She will also tell us her personal story about having her husband's horse stole in 1997, and how that led to a multi-year investigation, ramrodded by Debbi herself, the recovery of the horse, the recover of stolen property, and the recovery of lost financials. And....how that led to the beginning of this great organization - Net Posse.

Connect with Debi Metcalf & Net Posse:

Website: netposse.com

Facebook: facebook.com/StolenHorseInternationalNetPosse

Twitter: twitter.com/netposse

Email: debi@netposse.com

Phone:704-484-2165

Direct download: OFI_1030__How_To_Find_A_Stolen_Horse_Even_Ten_Years_Later___Debbi_Metcalf___Founder_Of_Net_Posse.mp3
Category:rural crime -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Sat, 19 December 2020

OFI 946: Technological Advancements In Cameras To Protect Your Farm Equipment And Crops | Rural Crime Episode

The Rural Crime Edition of the Off-Farm Income Podcast gives crime prevention tips on rural crime and updates you with the latest rural crime stories from the U.S. as well as the U.K., Canada and Australia.

Direct download: OFI_946__Technological_Advancements_In_Cameras_To_Protect_Your_Farm_Equipment_And_Crops___Rural_Crime_Episode.mp3
Category:rural crime -- posted at: 12:30am MDT