Highlighting the Hotsheet: Cargo Theft Spikes Dramatically in Q1 2015

Highlighting the Hotsheet: Cargo Theft Spikes Dramatically in Q1 2015

CargoNet announced the Q1 statistics for cargo theft and they were dramatic: a full $23 million worth of property was stolen, $14 million more than during the same period last year. This level of activity reverses the perceived trend of 2014, in which cargo thefts actually dipped in volume.

As a veteran of the cargo theft fight, I’d now suggest 2014 numbers were potentially a decline in reporting, rather than a decline in the crime. For myriad reasons – insurance, carrier credibility, etc. -- many companies do not report cargo theft incidents.

What’s Important (and what’s not) About Q1 Statistics

The analysts noted several differentiators from previous quarterly reporting:

  • Most common cargo-crime locations were warehouses and distribution centers, which accounted for 23% of all losses;
  • 33% of cargo thefts were food and beverage ;
  • Average losses increased as well, by $83,329 per theft; and
  • California reported the most incidents, followed by Texas, Georgia, New Jersey and Florida.

The pronounced increase in thefts from carrier facilities, truck stops, and warehouses is likely a fluctuation; in reviewing longer term statistics, the target sites frequently switch headline roles. The variability may arguably have as much to do with reporting changes as they do with thieves changing targets.

What is more significant is the fact that this spike occurred in Q1. Historically, the summer is the when cargo thefts start to rise as retail channels commence inventory accumulation in anticipation of Black Friday. We haven’t even reached the summer.  If cargo thieves are starting this early and are already mining this much success, we could see a significant increase in 2015 overall.

Food and beverage took the honors for the most products stolen in Q1, but this will likely vary throughout the year. The Internet is offering cargo thieves the opportunity to fence anything anonymously, as Moises Naim predicted in 2006 in his book, “Illicit.” No cargo is safe. At Electric Guard Dog, we have even seen thefts of roofing shingles, whose dollar to cubic foot ratio is so low they’ve previously been an unattractive to organized crime.

What You Can Do to Help Fight Cargo Crime

At Electric Guard Dog, we believe in deterrence…deterring thieves from targeting your property and deterring them from the crime itself. We encourage vested supply chain to join us in two notable efforts in the most heavily targeted states: Texas and California.

  • Texas: Cargo Theft bill HB102 is continuing to make its way through the state legislative process; and
  • EGD’s efforts to help California electrical inspectors determine how to identify a safe electric security fence has made it through the California Senate as part of the consent prosecco. The vote in the judiciary committee was 7 to 0 in favor.

Hot off the presses, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NCIB) is also now offering a new manual on commercial Vehicle Identification, the first update in 5 years. We encourage carriers to order it direct from NICB, or welcome you to contact us at EGD.

The only defensible, consistent “trend” in cargo theft is this: The crime will never go away under the status quo. For immediate security of your facilities, a deterrence-based approach will provide your business with the best available protection on the market. For the “long haul,” stiffer criminal penalties for cargo thieves ensure the crime is riskier, and therefore, less attractive, and furthermore, the criminal resources available to commit the crime will be fewer in number. Full support of your local Transportation Security Council will further reduce your risk, and simultaneously assist law enforcement.

About the Author

Jack DeMao is the CEO and president of Electric Guard Dog.

Featured

  • 2025 Security LeadHER Conference Program Announced

    ASIS International and the Security Industry Association (SIA) – the leading membership associations for the security industry – have announced details for the 2025 Security LeadHER conference, a special event dedicated to advancing, connecting and empowering women in the security profession. The third annual Security LeadHER conference will be held Monday, June 9 – Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan. This carefully crafted program represents a comprehensive professional development opportunity for women in security this year. To view the full lineup at this year’s event, please visit securityleadher.org. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Report: 82 Percent of Phishing Emails Used AI

    KnowBe4, the world-renowned cybersecurity platform that comprehensively addresses human risk management, today launched its Phishing Threat Trend Report, detailing key trends, new data, and threat intelligence insights surrounding phishing threats targeting organizations at the start of 2025. Read Now

  • NRF Supports Federal Bill to Thwart Retail Crime

    The National Retail Federation recently announced its support for the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025. The act was introduced by Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., and Representative Dave Joyce, R-Ohio. Read Now

  • ISC West 2025 Brings Almost 29,000 Industry Professionals to Las Vegas

    ISC West 2025, organized by RX and in collaboration with the Security Industry Association, concluded at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas last week. The nation’s leading comprehensive and converged security event attracted nearly 29,000 industry professionals and left a lasting impression on the global security community. Over five action-packed days, ISC West welcomed more than 19,000 attendees and featured 750 exhibiting brands. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
  • Tradeshow Work Can Be Fun

    While at ISC West last week, I ran into numerous friends and associates all of which was a pleasant experience. The first question always seemed to be, “How many does this make for you?” Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West

New Products

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.