FreightWatch recorded 82 theft incidents for the month of December; the highest number of cargo thefts ever reported in a single month. 

California, Florida and Texas accounted the highest number of cargo theft incidents. There were 23 theft incidents in California, 13 in Texas and 10 in Florida.

By commodity, the food and drink industry suffered the highest volume of losses with 19.  Electronics and Auto Parts continue to remain high with 15 and 11 thefts respectively.  FreightWatch also recorded three thefts in the pharmaceutical sector.

By location, truck stops topped the list with 18 theft incidents recorded, while DC/Terminal lots (secured and unsecured) combined for 22.

 
To view this report, which includes a list of recorded cargo theft incidents for September, as well as graphs depicting cargo theft trends over the past 12 months: click here.

Additionally, stay tuned for the FreightWatch 2009 Annual Cargo Theft Review which will be published later this month.

© 2009 FreightWatch International (USA)

Source: www.freightwatchusa.com

Description: A full truckload of computers was stolen from the Pilot truck stop on Lamar Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee, between 2pm and 5:30pm on Saturday, December 19.

The trailer had an onboard/external GPS system that was disabled by the criminals at approximately 6pm.  

Two notable points about this theft:

·    This same truck stop experienced an electronics FTL theft where an onboard/external GPS system was disabled by the cargo thieves earlier this year.
·    This shipment originated in California, but was stolen in Memphis.  There have been multiple other electronics loads originating west (Texas, Mexico, etc) which have been stolen in the Memphis area.

FWI Recommendation: While it is difficult to determine if these points are more than just mere coincidence, shippers should take note of such trends and ensure common best practices are followed to ensure they do not become the next victim, such as preventing loads from being left unattended at truck stops, two man teams for high value shipments and adequate cargo security layers.

***Holiday Awareness***

Shipper, manufacturers and transportation providers must remain aware of the increased security risks during the upcoming holiday season.

Holidays can cause long delays for drivers attempting to deliver loads. These delays will increase the risk to drivers and loads in-transit by leaving them vulnerable for longer periods of time.

FreightWatch and other cargo theft tracking organizations have seen continuing cargo theft activity, specifically targeting electronics, pharmaceuticals and other high end products.  Shippers of these commodities in particular should avoid putting any loads on the road that will not travel directly to their destination.

FreightWatch recommends drivers remain vigilant and maintain communication with their dispatch when stopped at high risk areas such as truck stops and rest areas.  Loads should not be dropped or left unattended for any reason.

For warehousing operations, ensure your security alarm systems are functioning properly.  FreightWatch also recommends the following:

·    Treat all alarm trouble signals as an intrusion alarm
·    Do not rely on a backup (cellular/radio) system
·    If primary alarm fails assign security officer to patrol facility exterior.
 
© 2009 FreightWatch International (USA)

Source: www.freightwatchusa.com

In November 2009, FreightWatch recorded 28 cargo theft incidents, including four attempted theft incidents.  The State of Mexico (surrounding Mexico City) led the month with six incidents, while Puebla and Coahuila followed closely behind with five thefts and three thefts respectively.

While FreightWatch acknowledges cargo theft rates in Mexico far exceed the statistics included in this report, incidents listed are those collected and verified by FreightWatch Mexico.

Of note is the disparity between Mexico and the United States with regards to the methods utilized by cargo thieves.  While cargo theft is almost exclusively a non-violent crime in the US, in Mexico hijackings are the norm, accounting for 19 of the 28 recorded theft incidents.

By commodity, there were four thefts containing building/industrial, home/garden and food/drinks each.  FreightWatch recorded three electronics thefts and one pharmaceutical theft.   

One trend of note is that the majority of the thefts and attempts continue to occur on approach to or within major metropolitan areas. Cargo thieves are targeting larger loads and seem to prefer mid-size and larger cities where they can escape easier and dispose of their loads in local markets without having to travel extended distances to do so.

In several attempts, the shipments were evidently tailed from origin and in an increasingly worrisome quantity, some branch of the authorities appear to be involved or assisting the cargo thieves.

 
To view this report, which includes a list of recorded cargo theft incidents in Mexico for the month of November click here.

© 2009 FreightWatch International (USA)

Source: www.freightwatchusa.com

List of top ten stolen vehicles highlights need for renewed efforts to combat auto theft and export of stolen vehicles. Read the full article released by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) here.

Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada www.ibc.ca

FreightWatch has recorded 64 theft events for the month of November.  California, Georgia, and Illinois led the country in volume of cargo theft; recording 18 theft incidents in California, seven thefts in Georgia, and seven thefts in Illinois.  Texas recorded six thefts and Florida recorded four.
 
Theft of electronics has experienced the highest commodity theft for the month of November, recording seventeen theft incidents.  Building/Industrial and Home/Garden cargo thefts are remaining high as well.  Below is a list of theft by commodity:
 
Theft by Commodity

Electronics: 17
Building and Industrial: 13
Home and Garden: 6
Consumer Care Products: 6
Auto Parts: 5
Pharmaceutical: 3

Two months ago FreightWatch noted that cargo theft incidents are occurring from terminal and carrier lots, as well as public access parking lots.  This trend has continued through November, where almost 45% of known theft locations were in terminal or carrier lots, in lieu of truck stops (approximately 20%), which are traditionally where cargo theft is known to occur in the highest amounts volume.
 
These trends coincides with intelligence reports and activity that show cargo thieves are becoming more proactive in targeting specific loads or products, conducting surveillance and stealing the loads at their first opportunity.  Pre-loading and staging trailers, or dropping in lots prior to shipment, are prime theft opportunities being seized by cargo thieves.
 
To view this report, which includes a list of recorded cargo theft incidents for September, as well as graphs depicting cargo theft trends over the past 12 months click here

© 2009 FreightWatch International (USA)

Source: www.freightwatchusa.com

WASHINGTON, DC —The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced that it will launch a new Driver Pre-Employment Screening Program which will allow commercial motor carrier companies to electronically access driver inspection and crash records as a part of the hiring process. The program is expected to begin in December 2009.

The view the full article click here.

Source: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 
www.fmcsa.dot.gov

See information provided below by Chuck Forsaith of Purdue Pharma:
 
1)   One of our group's members recently received a call from a consumer. The consumer provided the member with several names of people who are believed to have stolen one of their shipments sometime last month, as well as where the product was being stored. The member had no such loss. Has any member had a loss in Fresnillo, Zacatecas (Mexico) in the last couple of months?  If so, please contact me.
 
2)   Last night at around 10:00 PM the Plainfield Indiana Police stopped and questioned three Cuban males that were traveling in a red Chevrolet "Traverse" with Tennessee license plates. The vehicle was seen parked at the intersection of Perry and Airwest Blvd in that community. One subject had a fictitious Florida driver's license and was arrested. According to PPD the men appeared to be observing different distribution centers in that area.
 
3)   Another one of our members has suffered two "last mile courier" thefts in Florida, most recently in the community of Palatka. In both instances the driver was a female.  In both instances it involved a physical force type robbery. We are looking to see if any other members have suffered a similar loss - that would specifically involve a female courier and/or a strong arm type robbery. If so, please let me know.
  
Additionally, Chuck informed us that the known cargo thief interviewed by the Indiana State Police had a piece of paper with the name and address of a pharmaceutical distributor in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
 
FW Recommendation:  FreightWatch recommends anyone with operation in or around Oklahoma to be on alert for suspicious activity.

© 2009 FreightWatch International (USA)

Source: www.freightwatchusa.com

Fifty-six per cent of Canadian employers do not have a mobile device and driving policy, and 38% are considering creating or modifying a policy, reports Aon Consulting Canada.

Click here to view the details

Source: CIP Society Advantage Canadian Underwriter

Incident #1: A full truckload theft occurred in Memphis, Tennessee, early Wednesday (October 28) morning.  The suspects, unable to bypass the tractor security system, separated it from the trailer by lowering the trailer's landing gear and pulling the tractor out from under the trailer.
 
The trailer contained newspaper advertising inserts, which would not appear to be a target of cargo thieves.

Incident #2: FreightWatch RMOs observed three Hispanic males in a green Honda Accord with a red decal on the rear window (NJ plates NBT 72E) near a pharmaceutical staging lot in Bethel, Pennsylvania, this morning.
 
The three were described as being of average build and in their mid to late 20's
 
This subject and vehicle information matches the description of subjects, who recently attempted to gain access to a nearby pharmaceutical DC in Mechanicsburg (allegedly looking for employment) and observed watching trucks transporting pharmaceutical product on another occasion, in Bethel.

FreightWatch Recommendation: Those with operations in the Memphis, TN and Bethel/Mechanicsburg, PA, areas should be on high alert, especially those in the electronics and pharmaceutical sectors in Memphis as it is likely this same gang is in the area seeking a high value load.
 
FSB 091029
© 2009 FreightWatch International (USA)

Source: www.freightwatchusa.com

California and Florida led the country for cargo theft volume, recording 20 and 19 thefts per state respectively.  Illinois recorded four, while Texas, Ohio and Indiana all recorded three each.
 
By commodity, there were 16 electronics thefts recorded by FreightWatch, eight food/drinks, nine pharmaceuticals, nine clothing/shoes, and six auto/parts.  While the increase in pharmaceutical incidents is of note, none of these constituted significantly high value loads, with the average loss per incident at $212,000 for the month.
 
One trend of note is that FreightWatch is seeing an increase in the number of thefts from secured lots (DC lots and carrier lots) and a decrease in the number of thefts occurring at truck stops.  This trend coincides with intelligence reports and activity that shows cargo thieves are becoming more active in targeting specific loads or products, conducting surveillance and stealing the loads at their first opportunity.  Pre-loading and staging trailers, or dropping in lots prior to shipment, are prime theft opportunities being seized by cargo thieves.

To view this report, which includes a list of recorded cargo theft incidents for September, as well as graphs depicting cargo theft trends over the past 12 months click here.

© 2009 FreightWatch International (USA)

Source: www.freightwatchusa.com

TORONTO -- The union representing Ontario's striking driving examiners and the company that operates provincial Drive Test facilities need to resume labor talks, says the Ontario Trucking Association.

The OTA is calling upon the United Steelworkers, which represents the more than 500 employees who work in Ontario Drive Test centres, and private operator Serco DES to return to the bargaining table.

To read more click here

Source: www.Today'sTrucking.com

Cargo theft rates have been holding strong above 2009 averages.  Thus far, FreightWatch has recorded 57 theft incidents for the month; however we expect that number to rise with late reporting through the months of September and October.  By state, California leads with 20 recorded thefts thus far, Florida, Texas and Tennessee with seven each and Georgia with five.
 
By commodity, Electronics had the highest number of thefts with 14, Food/drinks 10, Pharmaceuticals five, and Clothing/shoes four.  August saw an uptick in pharmaceutical thefts, which was averaging three per month in 2009 through July. 
 
Special thanks to Merri Hawkins at CTIPs for sharing their invaluable theft intelligence.  As we know, California has the highest rates of cargo theft in the country.

To view this report in its entirety click here (you will need Adobe Reader to view this report)

© 2009 FreightWatch International (USA)

Source: www.freightwatchusa.com

FreightWatch wants to remind shippers that high value loads, if at all possible, should be prevented from loading and departing over the Labor Day holiday.  Loads left unattended for any period of time are at risk of theft, but with the extended weekend, cargo thieves know they have a significantly greater window to steal loads and move them before the incident is discovered and reported.
 
This week alone, there have already been three electronics thefts, including:
 
Aug 31: El Paso, Texas. A full truckload of televisions was stolen en route to Memphis.
 
Sept 2: Joliet, Illinois.  A full truckload of cell phones was stolen at a truck stop while the driver was inside showering.
 
Sept 3: St. Augustine, Florida.  A full truckload of gaming consoles valued at over $1 million was stolen.
 
This constant tempo of thefts serves as a reminder that cargo thieves remain proactive and will only increase their activity during the holiday weekend.


FSB 090904
© 2009 FreightWatch International (USA)

Source: www.freightwatchusa.com