Cargo theft over the holidays

Cargo theft recording firm SensiGuard is warning truck drivers, trucking companies and shippers/receivers about increased cargo theft activity during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday period.

The firm says the winter holiday shipping season has historically been one of the most dangerous times for cargo theft. This year, both holidays fall on Tuesday, creating two separate four-day weekends. SensiGuard says this leaves more opportunity for shipments to be left unattended or parked in unsecured locations for extended periods of time.

During the last five winter holiday periods, the firm has recorded just under two thefts per day with an average loss value of $182,260, a 6 percent higher value than throughout the year. These thefts primarily targeted food and drinks (26 percent), electronics (17 percent), and home and garden (12 percent), with the highest average value recorded of clothing and shoes of $994,057.

SensiGuard recommends drivers and trucking companies confirming receiver’s hours of operation during the holiday period and planning for secure parking locations if a load has to be parked for an extended period of time. The firm also recommends covert GPS tracking and active monitoring of high-value shipments.

Some notable thefts during recent winter holiday periods include:

• A full truckload of tires in Michigan worth $250,000 in 2017
• A full truckload of footwear in California worth $4 million in 2016
• A facility theft of tablets in Texas worth $300,000 in 2015
• A fictitious pickup of apparel in New Jersey worth $1 million in 2014