Cargo Theft Warning for Memorial Day Holiday
Higher traffic volumes this upcoming holiday weekend mean delays and an increased level of risk for trucking professionals. However, heavier traffic is not the only thing that can create problems for motor carriers and drivers during the Memorial Day holiday.
Organized crime rings are notorious for targeting transportation companies, shippers and manufacturers when holiday weekends cause shipments to be unattended for extended periods of time. During previous Memorial Day weekends, the SensiGuard Supply Chain Intelligence Center (SCIC) has recorded elevated theft rates up to 43% higher and average values up to 253% higher than non-holiday weekends. The firm reports that, since 2014, Memorial Day weekends have seen an average theft value of $318,006 totaling in excess of $11.7M.
Remember that cargo at rest for any length of time becomes a prime target for theft.
However, there are some simple steps drivers can take to help prevent becoming a victim of cargo theft over the long holiday weekend:
Before leaving, confirm that the receiver’s hours of operation for the holiday weekend are consistent with scheduled delivery times.
Remain aware of your surroundings at all times, whether parked or driving, and be particularly observant at night. Don’t talk about your cargo or trip details with anyone. Be on the lookout for vehicles following you and report any suspicious activity to authorities immediately.
Do your best to have sufficient hours and fuel to drive an extended period after picking up a load. It is often not worth the time, money or effort for criminals to follow you for multiple hours, and they may turn their attention elsewhere.
Vary your route to avoid becoming predictable. Thieves have been known to monitor the behavior of drivers with high-value loads on multiple runs to determine the most opportune time to strike.
When stopped in traffic, leave enough space in front of you so you can pull away quickly if trouble is spotted.
Remain aware of possible hijacking ploys to obtain your vehicle.
If you must park a loaded trailer, only park in a well-lit, heavily traveled lot, preferably with security cameras and/or guards. Also use the surroundings to your advantage by backing your trailer up against buildings, fences or other trailers to make it difficult or impossible for thieves to get inside.
Remove the keys from the ignition and survey the outside of the truck before exiting.
Do not allow the tractor to idle unattended.
Lock your tractor doors and keep windows rolled up; padlock trailer doors and use kingpin locks. Use high-security theft deterrents for added layers of protection.
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