Rural Crime-Fighting Technology
Tim Hammerich
News Reporter
Rural crime continues to be a problem for many of our farmers and ranchers. Last year the Butte County Farm Bureau cooperated with local law enforcement to bring Smart Water to the county. This is an invisible liquid that carries its own unique code. Here’s Butte County Farm Bureau Farm Bureau Executive Director Colleen Cecil.
Cecil… “When that liquid is applied in a small amount to, let's say a four wheeler, it dries and it dries invisibly. But under a special light that mark can be seen. And if that four wheeler is then stolen and recovered, law enforcement, if they have smart water technology equipment, would be able to run a light over that four wheeler and notice that it's been marked with SmartWater just because of the light.”
The technology not only helps recover stolen equipment. It can also serve as a deterrent from theft in the first place.
Cecil… “The goal is to encourage as many of our Farm Bureau members and as many of our agricultural and rural landowners to put up this sign and to mark their equipment. And hopefully these thieves will see that this sign is on this particular property, and I probably should stay away from this one because this stuff can be traced back.”
Butte County Farm Bureau brough the technology to the sheriff department and provides kits to members.