Cargo theft risks rise over Thanksgiving weekend

Truckers are being warned of an increased risk of cargo theft over Thanksgiving weekend.

CargoNet, a company that specializes in reducing the risk of cargo theft, issued a warning about the coming Thanksgiving weekend. It is noted that “holiday weekends create opportunities for cargo thieves to attack unattended vehicles, cargo and warehouses.”

Organized cargo theft groups exist in almost every region of the US, so drivers need to be really careful.

Data for the last five years, from the Tuesday before Thanksgiving to the Monday after Thanksgiving, shows 118 cargo thefts, with an average value of $183 891 in stolen cargo.

Following specializations of cargo are especially exposed to theft, according to the data:

• Truckloads of solar panels, hazelnuts, small appliances and designer clothes in Southern California.

• Trailers of high quality consumer electronics, clothing, kitchenware in Kentucky and neighboring states.

• Trailers and containers of building materials, clothing, appliances, and food in East Georgia, South Georgia, and Northeast Florida.

• Trailers with food and alcohol, clothes and other goods in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Northern New Jersey and New York.

Shippers must alert road carriers to specific theft patterns and confirm the intended delivery address with the driver prior to loading.

Public transshipment centers operating in Southern California should be wary of new customers offering cash and promising future lucrative business.

Industry professionals can protect against burglaries and theft of loaded trailers by arranging same-day delivery of short-haul cargo, by incorporating covert tracking devices into cargo and vehicles, and by using high-security locks.

Drivers should not leave their loads unattended in unsafe areas such as retail parking lots and poorly lit locations. If property must be left unattended, it is recommended that it be checked each time you return to the trailer.

On average, it takes about 1 day for a theft victim to notice that their property was stolen, but this time increased to more than 2 days if the property was left unattended the day before Thanksgiving. Drivers must also keep an eye on any vehicles that follow them from their starting point.