I think this is to be expected, with the recession as it is. There is probably an increase in all types of crimes involving theft or robberies. As to the solution to what is going on here? Easy, the trucker needs take responsibility of his load, and use some basic tools and methods to secure his truck and precious cargo. Because to me, it is the sloppy guys who could care less about implementing basic security practices, that are the prime targets of criminals.
I also think the shipping companies could probably implement security plans for their high value stuff, that suites the value of whatever they are hauling. If they are transporting millions of dollars of stuff, maybe paying the money for a security escort to ride along with that trucker, might be the ticket. But like with the Somalia pirates and that shipping industry, I think most companies just prefer to roll the dice and depend upon dumb luck.
But going back to empowering the trucker, he can do a number of cheap things to secure his stuff. He got back the truck against a wall, he could have hidden shut offs for the battery, he could have a wireless camera set up on the rig interfaced with his smart phone, he could place a GPS tracker in the rig, you could have a truck alarm system, you could put a big nasty dog in the cab, and finally, the trucker could actually carry a firearm and get a little training and education on laws about personal defense using that gun. Basically, super empowered truckers are the key to countering these types of criminals. That and a little commonsense. Remember, law enforcement cannot be everywhere and at all times. From an industry point of view, I really have not heard of much CONUS escort type work. Of course there is always the armored car driver stuff, or the nuclear transportation work. You might hear about high end escort type contracts, but that is very few and far between. As for trucking security, that is a market I haven’t a clue about. I did find some government funding for security upgrades that companies could apply for here. The American Trucking Associations came out with some basic security guidelines for truckers, and you can read more about that here. –Matt
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Heists Targeting Truckers On Rise
FEBRUARY 1, 2010
Robberies Are “Wreaking Havoc” on U.S. Highways, Endangering Consumers
By JENNIFER LEVITZ
Thieves are swiping tractor-trailers filled with goods, triggering a spike in cargo theft on the nation’s highways.
Over five days last month, an 18-wheeler carrying 710 cartons of consumer electronics was stolen from a Pennsylvania rest stop, a 53-foot-long rig packed with 43,000 pounds of paper was ripped off in Ottawa, Ill., and a 40-foot-long truck filled with reclining armchairs went missing in Atlanta.