Farms & Agriculture
Farm & Agricultural Security in California
Harvest-season patrols, camera towers and equipment protection for farms, orchards, packing houses and ranches — stopping crop, fuel and equipment theft far from help.
- Licensed & insured
- 24/7 dispatch
- No long-term contract
- Se habla español
Rural experience
Groves, fields and yards.
Harvest coverage
When crops are most valuable.
Off-grid towers
No power needed.
Documented
Reports for sheriff and insurers.
Quick answer
How do California farms prevent agricultural theft?
California treats theft of farm crops — including avocados, citrus, nuts and vegetables — worth more than $250 as grand theft (Penal Code §487(b)(1)), well below the usual $950 threshold, and avocado buyers can be required to show proof of ownership (Food & Agricultural Code §45032). The Central Valley Rural Crime Prevention Program (Penal Code §14170) tracks ag crime in eight counties. Farms protect themselves with harvest-season patrols, monitored camera towers and equipment and fuel controls.
Key facts
- Crop theft over $250 is grand theft (PC §487(b)(1))
- Avocado proof-of-ownership rules (FAC §45032)
- Central Valley Rural Crime Prevention Program
- Harvest season is highest risk
- Towers cover remote, unpowered sites
The challenge
Remote land, valuable crops
Farms are large, remote and often far from any sheriff’s deputy.
Harvest-season crop theft
Nut and avocado theft from remote groves.
Equipment and fuel theft
Tractors, GPS units, fuel, copper and well pumps.
Huge unfenced acreage
Fixed posts can’t cover it all.
Coverage options
Agricultural security services
Combine services into one program.
Our standards
What every agricultural post includes
The same standard on every shift.
Written post orders
Duties and escalation contacts approved by you.
Hourly photo reports
Timestamped photos and notes.
Supervisor field checks
Unannounced visits.
BSIS-licensed officers
Guard Card and background check.
Before you hire
Questions to ask a agricultural security company
Here is how we answer.
| Ask the vendor | Safeguard On Demand |
|---|---|
| Can you patrol remote farms? | Yes — rural patrol routes with GPS check-ins. |
| Do towers work without power? | Yes. |
| Can you cover harvest season only? | Yes. |
| Will we get reports for the sheriff? | Yes. |
| Do you cover the Central Valley? | Yes. |
| Is there a long-term contract? | No long-term contract. |
Who we protect
Agricultural operations we protect
Statewide
Agricultural security across California
Served from the office nearest your site, with officers across 13 California counties.
How it works
How agricultural security starts
A short, documented process.
01
Site review
Property, hours and incident history reviewed.
02
Post orders
Duties and contacts written and approved.
03
Officer orientation
Officers learn the site before day one.
04
Reports & review
Shift reports and regular check-ins.
Choosing coverage
Patrols or towers for a farm?
Most farms use rural patrols during harvest and camera towers with monitoring at equipment yards and fuel tanks.
California requirements
California agricultural crime laws
Taking farm crops — fruit, nuts, vegetables and more — worth more than $250 is grand theft, and value can be proven by wholesale price (Penal Code §487(b)(1)). For avocados, the state agriculture secretary or any peace officer may demand proof of ownership showing the seller, buyer, quantity and date (Food & Agricultural Code §45032). The Central Valley Rural Crime Prevention Program (Penal Code §14170 et seq.) covers Tulare, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties.
Every officer must hold a BSIS Guard Card and work for a licensed private patrol operator — 8 hours of Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force training before registration, 32 more hours within six months, and 8 hours of continuing training every year. Verify any company or officer on the state’s DCA License Search.
Security checklist
- Harvest-season patrol plan
- Equipment and fuel secured
- Camera towers at yards
- Gate and access control
- Proof-of-ownership records
- Sheriff contact
Budgeting
What affects the cost of agricultural security
We do not publish one-size rates. These factors move the price.
Hours of coverage
24/7, nights only or business hours.
Armed vs. unarmed
Armed posts cost more.
Guard vs. patrol
Patrols cost less than full-time posts.
Site size
Acreage, buildings and entrances.
Location and risk
Site history and neighborhood.
Contract length
Short-term vs. ongoing.
Farm security FAQs
Theft of farm crops worth more than $250 is grand theft.
During harvest, especially high-value nuts and avocados.
Yes, with patrols and solar camera towers.
Across 13 California counties from offices in Santa Ana, Los Angeles (Northridge), San Diego, the Inland Empire, Sacramento and Silicon Valley.
Where we provide this coverage
Posts are staffed from the nearest of our six California offices — same day in most areas. Free assessment: (800) 640-2327.