Crime doesn’t pay. Everybody knows that. Reporting crime, however, does. The Energy Security Council (ESC) is a professional, nonprofit organization comprised of oil and gas operators, energy service companies and law enforcement. ESC’s Energy Crime Stoppers was introduced in 2008 as a Texas initiative, working in tandem with the Texas Crime Stoppers program.
“ESC’s Energy Crime Stoppers hotline is a proactive way to attack and reduce theft and fraud in the energy sector,” said Tracy Poindexter, Energy Crime Stoppers chairman.
On average, Energy Crime Stoppers receives 10 to 12 tips each month from energy company employees and the general public, paying callers as much as $1,000 for tips that lead to convictions. All tips are confidential, with rewards funded by donations from oil and gas operators.
“We’ve paid out about 10 rewards over the years where cases have been cracked and arrests made,” Poindexter said. “All tip information is turned over to local law enforcement agencies in the local community where the alleged crime has occurred.”
Since its founding in 1982, ESC has grown beyond Texas to include 950 members representing 165 member companies. In response to demand from its members, the uniquely focused Energy Crime Stoppers program has expanded in recent years to Louisiana, Oklahoma, Colorado, Arkansas, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, Pennsylvania and Ohio. The ESC differs from other trade organizations, Poindexter said, because of its ongoing strong relationship with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
“We typically conduct free training to 1,000 law enforcement officers each year and partner closely with them in helping them understand and protect the energy sector, especially in the high energy-producing states,” he said. About 20 percent of ESC’s members are from the law enforcement community.
ESC’s Energy Crime Stoppers program strives to be a significant player in the reduction of energy sector crime.
“In order to reach that goal, we have to accomplish two things,” Poindexter explained. “First, in those areas in which we have a foothold, we must continue to propagate our message. We must become well known throughout these regions. We believe by remaining visible and active in these areas, we can play a critical role in deterring theft, fraud and other crimes against energy companies operating there.”
The second goal is to continue to expand the program’s footprint.
“We are continuously evaluating the energy sector activity levels in order to develop an aggressive, but measured, growth strategy. We pay special attention to those areas in which our member companies are active, and look for ways to have an impact for them.”
In addition to leading ESC’s Energy Crime Stoppers since early 2015, Poindexter also acts as director of sales for Lafayette, Louisiana-based Blackhawk Datacom, a technology innovator for the energy, defense and maritime industries.
The recent drop in oil prices and resulting constriction of the upstream oil and gas market has sparked a rise in oilfield crime, he said.
“Often people who have been negatively impacted by the leaner job prospects turn to unscrupulous methods of supplementing their income,” Poindexter said. “Obviously, now more than ever, the companies operating in the field cannot afford to sustain losses due to theft or fraud.
“We cannot place the burden on the oil and gas companies and law enforcement alone. We need to find creative ways to reach out to the communities in which these companies operate and instill in them the spirit of cooperation that will lead people who see something to say something. The threat is too widespread, and the consequences for not getting involved can have a severe impact.”
For more information, visit www.energysecuritycouncil.org, or call (888) 645-TIPS (8477) or (281) 587-2700.
