California’s commercial, manufacturing and industrial property owners have been facing a growing property crime crisis for more than a decade. From copper wire theft to catalytic converter theft from fleet vehicles the toll has been devastating. These crimes drive up costs, disrupt operations, and put employees in harm’s way.
For many, a single break-in can mean hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses once you’ve accounted for stolen equipment, damaged infrastructure, operational downtime, and compounding insurance premiums. One business owner, who waited six months for a permit to install an electrified security fence, tragically lost his entire family business of more than 30 years to arson.
Something had to change. Businesses need more preventative solutions to safeguard their livelihoods.
A Legislative Step Forward
AB 2371, championed by assembly members Juan Carrillo (D-39) and Heath Flora (R-09), and sponsored by the Family Business Association of California and AMAROK, provides that solution. The bill amends existing law to streamline the local permitting process for the installation of electrified security fencing, technology proven to deter theft.
Signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in September 2024, AB 2371 passed with unanimous bipartisan support – an important win for public safety and California businesses.
Real-World Impact
The results speak for themselves. In the year since AB 2371 became law, more than 600 businesses have been authorized to install our systems, with approval times dropping from months, or even over a year, to just days in many jurisdictions.
Sukut Equipment Rental, with locations across California, has seen dramatic reductions in theft and measurable cost savings after installing electrified security fencing.
Businesses that install AMAROK’s perimeter security have historically seen:
- $49,000 in annual savings from reduced theft risk.
- $105,000 in estimated annual savings from cutting security guard costs.
- $326,000 in average annual savings from preventing downtime caused by theft-related damage.
- An average 12x return on investment compared to the cost of installing the system.
With better perimeter security in place, businesses are keeping their doors open, employees safe, and supply chains moving.
Hear Joe Monteleone, Store Manager at Stotz Equipment in Montclair, CA’s firsthand experience with these challenges and how installing an electric security fence helped reclaim safety, stability and peace of mind. His story shows how businesses can create a safer, more stable environment for their employees and operations when they have access to practical security solutions that prevent crime before it happens and supportive policies.
More Work to Be Done
While AB 2371 was a major step forward, California still faces challenges. Some provisions are temporary, leaving the potential for previous bureaucratic hurdles to return. Meanwhile, California is experiencing a sharp rise in cargo theft, raising new concerns about how these crimes could disrupt the flow of commerce across the nation.
Keeping businesses safe requires continued legislative focus, consistent regulations, and expanded, streamlined public safety measures.
Building a Safer Future
AB 2371 proved that smart and collaborative legislation can curb the commercial property crime epidemic. However, it’s also a reminder that policy change works best when it’s informed by the real-world experiences of those on the front lines — business owners, employees, and communities directly impacted by commercial, manufacturing, and industrial property crime.
California has the tools to curb the commercial property crime epidemic. Now it’s time to use them fully. The next step is ensuring this law is permanent and widespread, keeping California businesses and the people who rely on them safe.
Want to take action?
Explore Californians for Public Safety (C4PS)—a coalition dedicated to addressing California’s commercial property crime epidemic and protecting businesses, employees, and communities. Whether you’re a citizen, business owner, or community leader, your involvement matters.
Join the effort to make California safer for everyone.
Secure Your Facility With AMAROK
Establishing a safety and security mindset is a continuous process that requires the right tools, training, and commitment from leadership. A safety mindset involves recognizing and mitigating potential risks, which includes protecting the facility from unauthorized access and external threats.
Multi-layered perimeter security solutions are an important part of this strategy. They serve as the first line of defense against intruders, helping to prevent unauthorized entry and potential sabotage.
Create a safer, more compliant, and resilient power plant environment with AMAROK. Our solutions — all starting with The Electric Guard Dog™ Fence — are designed to protect critical infrastructure and keep employees safe.
Contact AMAROK for a free expert threat assessment and let us help you secure your power plant to limit operational and safety disruptions.
