U.S. Chamber Hosts Government & Business Leaders on Solutions to Curb Cargo, Package Theft

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce convened government officials and business leaders to address rising cargo and package theft and share policy solutions combatting the ongoing rise in crime.

“Surges in cargo theft incidents and retail crime are putting our nation’s businesses at risk,” said Tom Wickham, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Vice President. “It’s high time policymakers and business groups deepen their cooperation in fighting back against rising crime. As we enter the height of the holiday shopping season, it is critical that we come together to ensure safe supply chains and safe retail shopping experiences.”

Today’s programming featured U.S. Representatives David Valadao (R-CA-22) and Brad Schneider (D-IL-10) offering policy solutions to curb cargo theft and “porch pirates.”

“The unprecedented rise in cargo and retail theft has had a widespread impact, affecting industries nationwide,” said Congressman Valadao. “While inflation continues to drive up prices, this issue has only increased the burden on American families. Today’s event was an important opportunity to address the challenges of supply chain fraud and theft and to work towards effective solutions. I’m encouraged by the progress being made and will continue working with my colleagues to pass commonsense legislation to safeguard our supply chains.”

Representatives from the National Association of Manufacturers, National Milk Producers Federation, and Retail Industry Leaders Association highlighted the impact of crime on U.S. supply chains, while UPS, Travelers, Garmin, Union Pacific Corporation, and the American Trucking Associations discussed the impact on road and rail, and retail shelves.

"UPS is grateful to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for highlighting the need for a coordinated federal response to combat rising threats to the supply chain. This will protect the movement of American goods throughout the country while upholding the economic integrity of our national supply chain from rail to road, to retail," said Jessica Lowrance, Vice President, Public Affairs at UPS.

The event concluded with a conversation with LiveView Technologies, BNSF Railway, carrier identity technology provider Highway, and the Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Investigations on enforcement and community and industry action.

“Criminal attacks on the U.S. supply chain impact everyone. To protect the U.S. economy, a well-coordinated approach from federal, state, local, and tribal police officials, along with an engaged business community, is essential for success. Events like today’s U.S. Chamber of Commerce summit focusing on threats to the supply chain are constructive in bringing together that coordinated approach,” said BNSF Railway President and CEO Katie Farmer.

Cargonet, the leading tracker of cargo theft incidents, found a 59% increase year-to-year across the United States and Canada in 2023 and an increase of cargo theft incidents in each of the first three quarters of 2024. Additionally, recent data from the Council for Criminal Justice shows that while overall crime rates have fallen in 2024 across thirty-nine major cities, rates of retail crime have spiked in many areas.

This surge is being felt in communities nationwide as new polling from the Chamber reveals that one-in-four people have either witnessed or know someone who has witnessed retail theft. The national poll surveyed 1,030 Americans between December 2-4, 2024. The margin of error is ~3.05%. Source: occam™ by AlphaROC, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

Today’s event is part of the Chamber’s efforts to keep the supply chain, store shelves, and American businesses safe from retail crime. Learn more about the Chamber’s work here.

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