Agricultural theft has been on the rise in California, and beyond the surface of immediate loss, it carries heavy economic implications for the industry. According to Aaron Hegde, economics professor and Executive Director of the Grimm Family Center of Agriculture Business at Cal State University, Bakersfield, rural crime is more than a law enforcement issue — it’s an economic signal.
“Rural ag theft is a big thing, and as with any theft, there’s probably some correlation with how the economy is doing,” Hegde said.
High-value crops, copper wire, fuel, and farm equipment are increasingly targeted, and in some cases, the scope of the crime implies a high level of organization…