Just Like The Wild West: Massive Supply Chain Thefts

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Waiting for your order in the mail? Your goods may be stolen from rail cargo thefts; in other words, goods at rest are goods at risk.

Questions:

  1. Why is theft so rampant in Los Angeles for rail cargo like that of Union Pacific?
  2. According to the Guardian, what percentage increase in crimial rail theft has Union Pacific experienced in Los Angeles county since December 2020?
  3. On average, how many containers are compromised each day in Los Angeles county?
  4. What types of internal controls has Union Pacific been implementing and what additional internal controls do you recommend? 

Source:

Guardian staff. (2022). Discarded packages, shredded boxes: Photos renew attention on Los Angeles cargo theft. The Guardian, Jan. 15 (Retrievable online at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/jan/14/los-angeles-cargo-theft-union-pacific)