NCJ Number
65441
Journal
Security Industry and Product News Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1980) Pages: 20-22,30,32
Date Published
1980
Length
5 pages
Annotation
A SECURITY PROGRAM, STRESSING FIRM AND CONSISTENT HANDLING OF EMPLOYEE STEALING AND PRECAUTIONS ON COMPANY GROUNDS, IS OUTLINED FOR THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY IN ORDER TO REDUCE CARGO AND FREIGHT THEFT.
Abstract
SINCE IT IS UNLIKELY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL IMPOSE CARGO SECURITY REGULATIONS ON TRUCKERS, THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY MUST CONTINUE TO FIGHT CARGO THEFT, WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR 50 PERCENT OF ALL CARGO LOSS. THEFT REQUIRES THE OPPORTUNITY TO STEAL, A WAY OF REMOVING THE GOODS, UNLIKELY DETECTION, AND A COMPANY UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO PROSECUTE. A CONSISTENT, TOUGH EMPLOYEE THEFT POLICY AND ITS PROMULGATION ARE RECOMMENDED; EMPLOYEES CAUGHT STEALING SHOULD BE PROMPTLY FIRED, DISCIPLINED, OR PROSECUTED. COMMITTEES OF MANAGERS FROM TRUCKING UNITS SUFFERING THE GREATEST AND LEAST AMOUNT OF CARGO THEFT SHOULD FORM A COMMITTEE TO RECOMMEND THEFT SOLUTIONS TO THE COMPANY. ACCOUNTING FOR ALL FREIGHT IS THE FIRST STEP; ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS SHOULD FIT EXISTING SHIPPING SYSTEMS AND BE COST EFFECTIVE. IF IT IS NOT KNOWN HOW OR WHEN FREIGHT DISAPPEARS, COMPANIES CAN FIND OUT BY ANALYZING CLAIMS OR REQUIRING FREIGHT HANDLERS TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AND EVERYTHING THEY HANDLE. STOLEN FREIGHT MAY BE REMOVED FROM A TRUCK ON THE THIEF HIMSELF, IN VEHICLES, OR THROWN OVER THE PROPERTY LINE TO BE PICKED UP LATER; REMOVAL CAN BE THWARTED BY SEARCHES, GOOD LIGHTING AND FENCES ON THE PROPERTY, CONTROLLED GATES AND PARKING, PROPER TRUCK SECURITY, AND IDENTIFYING PERSONS TO BE GIVEN CARGO. PERSONNEL SHOULD BE CAREFULLY SCREENED BEFORE THEY ARE HIRED. HOWEVER, IT IS CLAIMED THAT THE BEST CURE FOR EMPLOYEE THEFT IS PUBLICIZING THE NEW SECURITY SYSTEM. (PAP)