I write a lot about how GPS tracking can save nickels and dime (and dollars) in day to day fleet operations. But there’s often a lot more at stake. I was reading an article today from Seattle about “Cargo Crime By The Truckload” which certainly caught my attention.

“In years past we’d hear about a trailer being stolen once or twice a year perhaps,” said Paul Petersen of the Kent Police Dept.

Kent police say within the past year, though, they’ve had a rash of truck thefts, but they can’t say exactly how many.

By examining Kent crime reports, the KING 5 Investigators discovered dozens of thefts of big rig tractors, trailers, or both.

They included:

- A stolen semi full of REI clothing - a $250,000 load.

- Two trailers full of whirlpool washing machines.

- And a trailer full of motorcycles - a $200,000 payday for the thieves.

We found 37 reported truck thefts in Kent alone in a two-year period.

“Estimates of how much cargo crime hurts consumers are hard to come by, but it’s clear you pay for it with every purchase,’ said Ernesto Diaz… (a driver whose live hold-up story is in the article)

I’ve written a number of times before about this issue.  Cargo crime is growing by leaps and bounds. And unlike crimes like bank robbery, fast food hold-ups or saying uncouth things about basketball players, the police pay it very little attention.

Advice to criminals: If you are sure you have to commit a crime, steal a truckload of cigarettes, motorcycles or even washing machines.  Don’t rob a bank … you’ll assuredly get caught and you will be lucky to even leave the bank with a few thousand in cash.  But a single trailer can carry hundreds of thousands in easily merchandisable cargo and there will only be minimal police interest.

Advice to shippers: Put a GPS tracker on the trailer before you load the cargo and track it until it is in the receiving warehouse. You think it costs too much? Do a cost-benefit analysis and lean how fast you can get a positive ROI (Return On Investment) … and improve your business efficiency and customer satisfaction to boot.