What Are Police Doing to Stop Truck Thefts in Mississauga?

Mississauga | Ontario | Business | Crime | Latest News |

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Published November 10, 2018 at 10:38 pm

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Mississauga’s proximity to Pearson International Airport (in fact, Pearson is located in Mississauga proper) means the city is a magnet for those large 18 wheelers hauling cargo back and forth and in between. Given that fact, it shouldn’t be a surprise to hear that truck cargo theft is becoming a serious problem in the industry.

According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, they have received over 2,500 reports of stolen cargo since 2015 and between 2014 to 2018 there has been half a billion dollars of reported stolen cargo. And according to Peel Regional Police, cargo crimes costs Canadians $5 billion every year.

In response, the police have partnered with the IBC and Crime Stoppers to launch the 2018 Cargo Theft Prevention campaign on November 9 as part of Crime Prevention Week.

As part of the campaign, Peel police have developed two resources for reducing cargo crime in Peel and the GTA: The Cargo Theft Prevention pamphlet and the Truck Yard Security Assessment Form. Both pamphlets were made available in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu.

Here are the cargo theft prevention tips as outlined by the police:

  • A high percentage of thefts involve internal participation (or more colloquially known as an inside job). Thoroughly screen potential employees, provide individual security codes and swipe cards for each employee. Discontinue all codes upon employee dismissal.

  • Verify the driver works for the company you hired to prevent being scammed and ask for driver identification and record that information.

  • Use perimeter fencing, access control gates, card access panels beyond driver’s reach which would prompt drivers to exit the vehicle and position surveillance cameras at face level for easy identification.

  • Increase security efforts during times when thefts are most likely to occur; peak hours are between midnight and 5:00 am.

  • Make regular checks of your truckyards, loads and inventory because ultimately you, as the business, are responsible.

  • Provide all staff with security training and conduct periodic reviews.

  • Remind employees to be alert of their surroundings.

  • Strategically place high resolution video surveillance to clearly ID drivers; ensure video surveillance signs are posted.

  • Proper lighting inside and outside your premises to improve security.

  • Consider using a GPS tracker for expensive loads and geofencing apps that send security alerts if your vehicle/cargo travels outside its designated route.

  • Conduct periodic security audits and keep up to date with latest security techniques and technology / devices, such as door locks, electronic locks, trailer telematics.

  • Avoid leaving truck unattended while it is running.

  • Avoid loading expensive merchandise before the day it will be moved. If it needs to be preloaded the night before, keep the trailer in a locked and secured warehouse.

The truck yard security assessment is designed to address three strategies:

  • Natural surveillance (keep intruders under observation)

  • Natural access control (decrease crime opportunity and increase offender’s perception of risk)

  • Territorial reinforcement (increases sense of ownership through physical design)

Sample of checklist from truck yard security assessment

There was also the unveiling of a campaign between Peel police and Crime Stoppers with signage. The initiative incentivizes increased safety via cash rewards.

The two resources will be made available free to access at each police division.

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