Posted: Sep 6, 2013 02:29 PM | Last Updated: Sep 6, 2013 02:35 PM
BURFORD, ON — What do Canada’s $5-billion cargo-crime plague and the comedian Rodney Dangerfield have in common?
They both don’t get no respect.
But that — at least as far as cargo crime is concerned — is about to change, especially if a standing-room-only-and-sometimes-raucous meeting on the subject is any indication.
The day-long meeting was held on the second floor of the splendid Burford, ON.,Community Centre Thursday.
Taking part were various police forces, the Insurance Bureau of Canada and private insurance companies; and dozens of trucking companies from southwestern Ontario.
The meeting marked the official launch of Project Momentum, an initiative to raise awareness and share mitigation strategies on the growing threat of cargo crime in the high-risk corridor along Highway 401.
Participants discussed how the theft of mobile equipment and goods in transit, storage and in retail locations is a major economic burden on the Canadian economy, provides funding for organized criminal networks and has been linked to smuggling and national security threats.
Truck cargo crime is a $5 billion-problem in Canada, costing half-a-million dollars a day in the GTA alone. Experts say it’s a financial drain on the economy and, with proceeds often funding violent organized crime syndicates, cargo crime also places a social burden on communities.
Project Momentum was launched by the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) — partnership with the Ontario Trucking Association and Verisk Crime Analytics Canada.
“Because of the lack of national attention this issue receives, cargo crime is unfortunately seen by criminals as low-risk with huge profits,” says Jennifer Fox, VP Trade and Security, CTA.
“The impact to Canadians, however, is quite significant and the ripple effects are far reaching. Additionally, while these types of crimes are rarely mentioned on the evening news or the front page, you can be sure the proceeds from cargo crime support some of the higher-profile criminal acts people do hear about often.
“It’s time to stop treating cargo thefts as a victimless crime.”
The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) has been identified as a “hot spot” for criminals engaged in cargo crime with a vast pipeline that stretches across the Windsor-Montreal Hwy 401 trade corridor. Police say that recent incidents indicate an increasing amount of cargo theft in Southwestern Ontario.
“Carriers are leading the charge. Being an active carrier doesn't indicate that you have a problem, but that you are part of the solution,” says Jeff Bryan, OTA Chair. “I invite all stakeholders in the supply chain to come to the table to help us incite legislative changes.”
David Shillingford, President of Verisk Crime Analytics, said Project Momentum promotes a heightened awareness of the risk of cargo crime, as well as collaboration amongst the stakeholders impacted by cargo and equipment thefts. “Increased enforcement, crime suppression initiatives, and community engagement are among the measures we are sharing to help prevent theft and facilitate stolen cargo and equipment recovery.
