World Trade - September 2008 - (Page 51) and analyzed in a meaningful way. By doing so, we could anticipate certain trends as well as develop actionable recommendations for our clients, whether they were importers, exporters, warehouse operators, transportation providers, third-party logistics providers or other intermediaries. Between January 2005 and June 2008, we compiled 42 months of thefts from the aforementioned ICSC and TAPA reports and other information, including Internetbased local news articles. While this data does not represent the full universe of all cargo thefts, we believe that the information is substantial enough to enable users to make more informed logistics decisions. Our analysis provides us with a better understanding of the: • most targeted commodities; • most frequent locations of thefts; • time (days of the week) of the thefts; and • modus operandi of the thieves. Consumer goods, food and clothing are top targets Theft-prevention tips Here are some tips that may help mitigate the risk of cargo theft: • Thoroughly screen prospective employees. Some cargo security experts estimate that a high percentage of cargo thefts involve inside information or complicity, which is why we recommend doing background and credit/financial checks on potential employees. • Carefully select transportation partners and intermediaries. This may be the most critical decision a shipper may make regarding cargo security. Remember that these companies have care, custody and control of your goods from the time they leave your premises until they reach their destination. You should expect the same level of security awareness as you do from your own employees. • Establish a security culture within your company. This means training employees so that you achieve a force multiplier effect when they become ad hoc members of your corporate security staff. Also, truck drivers should receive hijack awareness and prevention training. • Factor in security when determining shipment routing. It has become common knowledge that cargo thieves are ìcasingî known shipping points (plants, warehouses and distribution centers) and following trucks as they depart, waiting for the drivers to stop so that they can pounce on the loads. Drivers should not be allowed to stop in the “red zone” (the first 200 miles/4 hours from their starting point) as well as known hot spots. • Incorporate counter surveillance into the duties of your security guards. As previously mentioned, thieves are parking outside cargo facilities to tail trailers once they leave but also so they can understand the way you do business. Warehouse robberies are also taking place. Have your guards patrol away from your perimeter and look for people looking at you. • Take advantage of technology. Vehicle and shipment tracking, vehicle immobilization and advanced, high-security seals are now available at lower cost. However, be sure to add a human touch. Tracking devices are becoming far more sophisticated; some covert units are now placed inside a shipment that is loaded within a truck but they quickly lose their effectiveness if an alarm is not triggered in a timely fashion (usually a phone call from the driver that his rig has been stolen) or there is no effective response mechanism when a remote alarm is set off. • Conduct periodic security audits. Things never stay the same. Your operations and personnel change, and the criminal mind is always harvesting fresh ideas and modifying previous techniques. The goods listed below account for about 70% of the total number of goods stolen in cargo thefts. • Consumer electronics, principally televisions, DVD players and other electronics (15.1%) • Food/food products (14.2%) • Apparel (clothing and footwear) (9.9%) • Computers and related equipment (7.6%) • Metals (5.2%) • Pharmaceuticals (both prescription and over-thecounter) (4.9%) • Tires (4.2%) • Wine, spirits & beer (3.6%) • Appliances (2.4%) • Cell phones (2.4%) Cargo theft is a nationwide problem, but the 12 states listed below have had the highest number of thefts. It should be noted that some of these states may unfairly rank high on this list because they have more robust cargo theft reporting protocols. However, we have determined that this ranking is consistent with the general consensus among the shipping and transportation industries. 1. California 2. Georgia 3. Florida 4. Texas 5. Tennessee 6. New Jersey 7. North Carolina 8. South Carolina 9. Pennsylvania 10. Mississippi 11. Kentucky 12. Illinois Beware the weekend fact, 52% of the thefts occur between Friday evening and Monday morning. Cargo is most at risk for theft when the loads are at restóduring the weekend. • Monday - 202 occurrences • Tuesday - 133 occurrences • Wednesday - 164 occurrences • Thursday - 134 occurrences • Friday - 203 occurrences • Saturday - 223 occurrences • Sunday - 257 occurrences Logistics matter The compiled data also demonstrates that certain days of the week are more likely targeted for cargo thefts than others. Weekends are the busiest time for cargo theft. In Our data revealed that the most likely place for thefts to occur were established truck stops and rest areas, WWW.WORLDTRADEMAG.COM 51 http://www.worldtrademag.com
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