Michigan County to Brand Tyres, Add Security to Stem Thefts

In an effort to thwart ongoing tyre thefts, the Genesee County (Michigan) Road Commission has resorted to branding every tyre it buys for its vehicle fleet, reports Tire Review. The branding effort is apparently part of strategy officials say are being made to prevent future thefts of tyres and other equipment, according to the Flint Journal. Last week Road Commission chairman David Miller and vice chairman James Pomeroy told the county Board of Commissioners about seven policy changes, including the serial number branding plan, but have still yet to discuss the scope of internal thefts at the road agency or how the thefts occurred. In late October, the Road Commission suspended one employee without pay and turned an internal investigation of tyre thefts over to the Michigan State Police.

In addition to branding each tyre with a permanent serial number in the future, the Road Commission said other steps are being taken, at an estimated cost of $50,000, to protect tyres and equipment stored in its Flint garage, including the installation of both a computer coded gate at the garage and additional security cameras, and the assignment of a single supervisor to oversee tire security and to supervise maintenance workers during tire replacement operations. An MSP official said that the tyre theft investigation at the Road Commission is continuing.