The effects of COVID-19 have brought new challenges to the supply chain and it is more important than ever to guard shipments against theft. Each holiday, CargoNet warns supply chain professionals that cargo thieves will seek to exploit the increase in unattended shipments and closed warehouses. We analyzed theft trends from the Thursday before Labor Day to the Wednesday after Labor Day from 2014 to 2019.
CargoNet recorded 161 theft events across the United States and Canada in this analysis period. There were 202 trucks, trailers, chassis, and containers stolen. Theft events were highest in California, Texas, and New Jersey; but theft events occurred in 28 states and provinces. Theft activity most commonly occurred on the Friday before Labor Day. Labor Day 2014 had the most activity in this analysis period, with 34 thefts. Labor Day 2019 also reported above-average levels of activity, with 31 thefts.
Electronics commodities such as computers and televisions were the most commonly stolen, but cargo thieves follow market demands. This year, CargoNet's Analysts expect targeting of food and beverage commodities like meat products and beer, as well as medical supplies like gloves and masks.
Supply chain professionals can harden against theft by parking only in secured facilities that theft deterrents like high-visibility lighting, secured fences, surveillance video, or staffed guard services. Secure your trailers with high-security locks and seals to prevent trailer burglaries.
Noteworthy thefts from previous Labor Day weekends
- $5,700,000 in cell phones from a warehouse in New Castle, Delaware
- $1,500,000 in Airsoft equipment from a warehouse in Irwindale, California (recovered)
- $1,000,000 in silver from a port in Montreal, Quebec
- $800,000 in cell phones from a truck stop in Jackson, Tennessee
- $560,000 in laptops from a secured yard in Ontario, California (recovered)
For more information, contact:
Brett Garrison
Edelman (for CargoNet)
212-639-4903
Brett.Garrison@edelman.com
View the Complete Labor Day Weekend Theft Trends Infographic and Security Tips
