When Something’s Not Right: 5 Ways to Protect Your Farm From an Activist Attack
Preparation is the best defense, especially when it comes to an animal activist attack. Although no one wants to imagine an animal activist infiltrating their farm, having a plan in place is a wise practice.
1. Develop a great relationship with your local authorities and neighbors.
Have a plan developed with local authorities and neighbors if your farm were to be attacked by activists.
“Proactive outreach is really important. You need to build relationships with local law enforcement and other key audiences before there is an issue,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, vice president, strategic engagement at the Animal Agriculture Alliance during a presentation at the Iowa Pork Congress last month.
Set up a meeting with local law enforcement to share what issues farms and other animal agriculture operations are dealing with and get their recommendations. Who should you contact if there is an issue? What are their recommendations for dealing with trespassers or other incidents before they arrive?
“It’s beneficial for first responders to know the location and layout of your farm for other reasons as well, such as responding to natural disasters or other farm emergencies,” she added.
2. Make a list of emergency numbers.
Always have your emergency numbers handy, including how to reach your barn supervisor, barn owner, police force, sheriff, EMS and fire department.
“Make sure you keep these contacts up-to-date,” she said. “The last thing you want to deal with if a crisis is unrolling is realizing you don’t have someone’s current email address or phone number.”
3. Report break-ins.
If you have a break-in on your farm or something is out of place, report it not only to local law enforcement, but also your state associations and the Animal Agriculture Alliance. Don’t question yourself if you feel a nagging sense that something is wrong.
“Gather as much information as you can about the incident – vehicle descriptions, names and descriptions of people involved, etc.,” Thompson-Weeman said. “Tracking these incidents helps identify trends as well as allows authorities to warn others who might be targeted.”
4. Invest in surveillance equipment.
Consider purchasing some surveillance cameras. Thompson-Weeman said some Alliance members have shared that trail cams and Arlo cameras are easy to get, relatively affordable and easy to install. If you start to question things around the farm, get your cameras up and running so you can monitor what’s happening when you aren’t around.
5. Know the laws.
Know the laws and the laws in your state. Understand what you should do in the event of a protest. Find out the rules on protecting your private property. Learn what rights drones do and don’t have when it comes to flying over your farm. As with all things, work with local law enforcement to learn what’s acceptable.
Read more:
The Evolution of Animal Activism on Farms
Animal Rights Activism: You Need to Protect Your Farm
Protect Yourself from Online Activism
What’s Next for Animal Activism in 2021 and What Can We Do About It?