Timber Theft

Timber theft in NC has become big business. The amount of money involved is surprisingly high with cherry and walnut fetching several thousand dollars for good specimens. In 2009 penalties were increased to a class 1 felony because of increased thefts (G.S. 14-135).

Riverbend is unusually vulnerable because of a large gravel road, unprotected entry and absent landowners. Risk factors are identified in this article; timber theft.
"Prime targets for timber thieves are the trees of older landowners who do not see all of their property on a regular basis and absentee owners who may not live in the same state as their trees."

http://www.swvatoday.com/news/article/forest_owners_losing_to_timber_thefts/1861

A case from last week shows the extent of the problem; Increased timber theft.

http://rrspin.com/News-from-Roanoke-Rapids-Weldon-and-Halifax-County/Man-faces-timber-theft-counts.html

Organized timber thieves do careful research to limit their risks. One year ago I received a call from someone offering to cut some trees for me. He described several trees on my property in detail suggesting that he had actually visited the property.

Many property owners at Riverbend feel very strongly that the entrance must be secured soon.