MARKHAM, ON — Canadian truckers and carriers now also have the support of Crime Stoppers, the public awareness and crime tip reporting program, in fighting cargo crime.

The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) has been raising awareness to the $5 billion problem and this month, Crime Stoppers of York Region marked International Crime Stoppers month by announcing their 2014 focus: fighting cargo theft. 

“Cargo crime costs all of us and puts well-being of truck drivers and other transportation workers at risk. These crimes are everyone’s responsibility as they affect everything from jobs to the price of merchandise on the shelves and are used to fund many other types of crime, including violent crime,” said Paul Lasalle, Detective Sergeant with the York Regional Police.

“We are extremely thankful for our partners like the Ontario Trucking Association, which has done a great job raising awareness and creating an open dialogue between industry, police and other stakeholders to discuss how to fight this growing problem,” Lasalle said.

The new marketing campaign features a crime prevention video and “door hanger” program, which shows the impact of cargo crime on communities and encourages the public to share tips through Crime Stoppers. Information is shared anonymously and if it leads to an arrest for a crime or recovery of stolen property, it can carry a monetary reward of up to $2,000.

The posters will be distributed throughout the local transportation community and at truck stops in York Region, the GTA and the highway 401 corridor. 

“Criminals are drawn to cargo crime because it is low risk, high reward and there is a lack of attention paid to this issue. However, it’s anything but a victimless crime,” says Jennifer Fox, VP trade and security, with the Canadian Trucking Alliance.

“Thanks to efforts like this one from enforcement agencies like York Regional Police and Crime Stoppers, we can engage communities to help us put an end to cargo crime.”

Anyone with information related to cargo crime or stolen goods can contact Crime Stoppers’ 24-hour toll free hotline at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or report securely online at www.tipsubmit.com or text tips to 274637(CRIMES).