Google Earth and the Theft of Oil

For the most part, Google Earth is a force for good. It makes geography a breeze, and simplifies the way in which we locate places on the globe; you can get a realistic overview of locations thanks to satellite images.

Did you know, however, that criminals use Google Earth to locate storage containers? Why are they doing this? The answer is fuel theft, and it is a problem that plagues many who use heating oil to heat their homes.

Unfortunately, it looks as though the creativity of those who would steal your heating oil has no bounds. However, they are not infallible, simple measures can increase the security of your oil supply, and ensure that the problem of increased domestic heating oil prices is not exacerbated by the theft of supply.

With the Google Earth threat in mind, the best thing that you can do for the security of your supply is to keep it out of the view of both passersby and satellites. So, it would be wise to keep it covered up, and out of the way of any nearby roads.

If you do store oil, remember that you aren’t alone. There are lots of others who are experiencing the same security threats, and so convening with other like minded people is a great way to develop better methods to protect your supply.

Similarly, as the theft of oil becomes a more prevailing problem, the police have stepped up their interest in this activity. They are, in the final analysis, the best people to go to if you worry about the security of your oil supply. Your local police force will have the knowledge of hotspots of criminal activity and recurring offenders, and so they will be able to help you protect your oil.

As domestic heating oil prices rise, protecting your supply becomes more important. Don’t worry, you retain the control over just how secure that heating oil supply is.

Leave a Comment