The battle against cargo crime: we need an all-in to win David Bradley CEO, Canadian Trucking Alliance w e have a problem. activities detrimental to society, includ- There are a lot of reasons for this. On top of all the other ing misconduct that could be a threat to Other than a few proactive police divisions challenges our industry faces, national security. Cargo that is stolen and scattered across Canada, too many people we’re getting ripped off every- sold in illegal markets shifts revenues from perceive cargo crime as being victimless. day – quite literally, in fact. I’m referring legitimate businesses to criminals and Its effect on the economy is also underap- to truck cargo crime, a problem that costs depletes tax revenues. And, most disturb- preciated. There is very little communica- $5 billion in this country and half-a-million ingly, it is becoming increasingly violent tion among regional police forces and it dollars a day in the GTA alone according putting hard-working truck drivers and also doesn’t help that truck and cargo to various sources; and highlighted in the other industry employees at grave risk. thefts don’t get categorized independently CTA report on Cargo Crime in Canada Police and insurance companies esti- from most other property crimes. They’re released last spring. But that’s really just mate that as much as 60% of cargo crime often handled as burglaries and, as anyone the tip of the iceberg. This type of crime incidents go unreported. Carriers complain who’s ever reported their kid’s bike stolen is being perpetrated by large organized that even when the authorities are alerted, surely knows, recovering stolen goods isn’t criminal enterprises that use the proceeds cargo crime doesn’t have a high enough usually a big priority for police. Historically, to fund drugs and weapons smuggling, profile to receive much of a response. penalties for perpetrators do not seem to fraud, human trafficking and other illegal That’s a conundrum. match the seriousness of the crime. 8 Winter 2011 REturn to Table of contents