With Thanksgiving approaching, work truck fleets may need to take another look at where their vehicles and cargo will be parked over the holiday weekend.

J. J. Keller & Associates is urging motor carriers to review their cargo security procedures ahead of the holiday, particularly when facilities close, staffing levels change, and loaded trucks or trailers remain unattended for extended periods.

Cargo theft can occur at terminals, warehouses, truck stops, parking lots, and drop yards. Beyond the loss of freight, theft can disrupt deliveries, affect customer relationships, and create additional operating costs.

"In my 25 years investigating cargo theft, both in law enforcement and in the trucking industry, one thing has remained consistent: thieves look for opportunity. Holiday weekends can create those opportunities when freight is sitting longer than usual and facilities are operating with reduced staffing. The best defense is to plan ahead and make your freight a harder target," said Josh Lovan, industry business advisor at J. J. Keller & Associates.

Where Work Truck Fleets Should Focus Before Thanksgiving

According to J. J. Keller, fleets should pay particular attention to vehicles and facilities that may be left unattended during the holiday.

Recommended precautions include:

• Review overnight parking plans. Identify secure, well-lit locations with controlled access and surveillance when available.
• Secure vehicles and cargo. Check trailer locks, cargo doors, seals, and other security devices before leaving vehicles unattended.
• Monitor parked vehicles. Use available GPS tracking, telematics, and security alerts to identify unusual vehicle movement or possible tampering.
• Confirm communication procedures. Make sure drivers and dispatchers know how to report suspicious activity, unexpected delays, or security concerns.
• Check facility security. Review lighting, cameras, gates, and access controls before holiday closures.

For fleets operating straight trucks and local delivery vehicles, the company's new whitepaper also emphasizes keeping cargo compartments locked when vehicles are away from the terminal, except during active loading and unloading.

Drivers should also inspect locks and cargo areas for signs of tampering after returning to unattended vehicles.

Cargo Security Requires More Than Locks

J. J. Keller's newly released whitepaper, Cargo Security and Preventing Theft in Trucking, examines how fleets can combine physical security, technology, employee training, and operating procedures to reduce cargo theft risks.

The resource covers security vulnerabilities throughout the transportation process, including terminals, loading areas, overnight parking locations, and vehicles in transit.

"There is no single lock, camera or piece of technology that will prevent every cargo theft," Lovan said. "The strongest security programs use layers, combining physical security, technology, good operating procedures and employees who know what to look for. If one layer fails, another should still stand between the thief and the freight."

The complimentary whitepaper provides additional guidance on cargo security procedures, driver responsibilities, vehicle monitoring, and facility protection.