Farms & Agriculture
Harvest-season patrols, camera towers and equipment protection for farms, orchards, packing houses and ranches — stopping crop, fuel and equipment theft far from help.
Groves, fields and yards.
When crops are most valuable.
No power needed.
Reports for sheriff and insurers.
Quick answer
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.
The challenge
Farms are large, remote and often far from any sheriff’s deputy.
Nut and avocado theft from remote groves.
Tractors, GPS units, fuel, copper and well pumps.
Fixed posts can’t cover it all.
Coverage options
Combine services into one program.
Our standards
The same standard on every shift.
Duties and escalation contacts approved by you.
Timestamped photos and notes.
Unannounced visits.
Guard Card and background check.
Before you hire
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
Statewide
Served from the office nearest your site, with officers across 13 California counties.
How it works
A short, documented process.
01
Property, hours and incident history reviewed.
02
Duties and contacts written and approved.
03
Officers learn the site before day one.
04
Shift reports and regular check-ins.
Choosing coverage
Most farms use rural patrols during harvest and camera towers with monitoring at equipment yards and fuel tanks.
California requirements
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.
Budgeting
We do not publish one-size rates. These factors move the price.
24/7, nights only or business hours.
Armed posts cost more.
Patrols cost less than full-time posts.
Acreage, buildings and entrances.
Site history and neighborhood.
Short-term vs. ongoing.
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.
