When Should You Hire Security Guards for an Event in San Francisco?
                     C A R G O  &  S U P P L Y  C H A I N  S E C U R I T Y
Why Cargo Theft Is a Growing
Concern Around the Port of LA
Fewer incidents, bigger losses: how organized theft is evolving around LA's logistics network — and where 
physical security coverage matters most.
Prepared from Citiguard research  |  mysecurityguards.com
T H E  D ATA
Fewer Thefts. Bigger Paydays.
Cargo theft around the Port of Los Angeles has entered a new phase — organized crews are targeting higher-value loads with more planning than before.
-11% $725M $273,990
Raw incident counts fell in LA County in Record national cargo theft losses in 2025 Average loss per theft event — a sharp 
2025 climb
That sounds like good news. It is not. Organized crews are moving toward fewer, larger, better-planned thefts of high-value loads.
Source: mysecurityguards.com — Cargo Theft & Port of Los Angeles Security 2
E X P O S U R E  P O I N T
Freight Is Most Vulnerable When Standing Still
Most people picture cargo theft as a highway hijacking. The data says otherwise.
Warehouse Storage 41%
Unsecured Parking Lots 16%
Warehouses and distribution centers are the single most targeted location type in the country.
A business that invests heavily in GPS tracking for trucks but leaves a warehouse loading dock unmonitored after hours is protecting the wrong side of its risk 
exposure.
Source: mysecurityguards.com — Cargo Theft & Port of Los Angeles Security 3
R I S K  M A P
Where Cargo Theft Creates Security Risks
Truck Yards & Freight Storage Warehouses & Distribution Centers
1 2
Trailers sit overnight with no driver and often no live monitoring — the The #1 targeted location nationally. Heavy daily traffic gives intruders more 
overnight gap behind 16% of incidents. cover to blend in.
Loading Docks Inland Logistics Hubs
3 4
Chaos, paperwork mistakes and rushed handoffs create cover for cargo The most overlooked category — and where activity is actively moving as risk 
diversion or short-loading schemes. spreads inland from the coast.
Source: mysecurityguards.com — Cargo Theft & Port of Los Angeles Security 4
S H I F T I N G  G E O G R A P H Y
Risk Is Moving Inland from the Coast
Inland logistics facilities that feed and receive freight from the Port of LA are absorbing risk that used to concentrate closer to the coast.
Kern County San Joaquin County
+82% +44%
cargo theft, year over year cargo theft, year over year
Source: mysecurityguards.com — Cargo Theft & Port of Los Angeles Security 5
M I T I G AT I O N
How Cargo Security Services Reduce Risk
Cargo theft prevention often requires looking beyond cameras and tracking systems alone.
Maintain Security Around Cargo Control Access to Handling Areas
Visible presence at storage locations and loading areas, especially during Monitor entry points, check visitors, and control access to restricted zones.
quieter periods.
Support Warehouses & Distribution Centers Monitor Truck Yards & Outdoor Storage
Guards monitor activity, support access control, and cover high-traffic Mobile patrols and on-site guards check parked vehicles and flag unusual 
entrances. activity.
Source: mysecurityguards.com — Cargo Theft & Port of Los Angeles Security 6
B I G G E R  P I C T U R E
Cargo Security Is Becoming Part of Supply Chain Security
Goods move through multiple properties and people before reaching their destination — each stage carries its own exposure.
Multiple Security Environments Physical Security Supports the Addressing Facility-Level Risk
Chain
Security procedures may vary between facilities Guards can monitor valuable cargo areas On-site guards can monitor high-risk areas
Different personnel may access cargo in transit Access points can receive extra oversight Patrols can cover outdoor freight locations
Shipments may sit in temporary storage Patrols can cover less-active locations Access control can support restricted areas
Large properties may have less-monitored areas Suspicious activity can be reported quickly Incidents can be documented and reviewed
Source: mysecurityguards.com — Cargo Theft & Port of Los Angeles Security 7
C O N C L U S I O N
Protect Cargo Where It
Actually Sits Still
Warehouses, truck yards, distribution centers, loading docks and temporary storage locations can all require 
greater oversight when valuable goods are present. Physical protection should be considered alongside tracking 
systems and internal procedures.
Citiguard provides cargo security services in Los Angeles for warehouses, truck yards, distribution 
centers, and logistics facilities.
Call 800-613-5903  |  Request a Custom Quote at mysecurityguards.com
CITIGUARD — Licensed Security Guard Services  |  PPO #121572  |  California
Source: mysecurityguards.com — Cargo Theft & Port of Los Angeles Security 8