Thanksgiving may mean a few days off for employees, but for small businesses with company vehicles, it can also mean trucks and vans sitting unattended longer than usual.

J. J. Keller & Associates is encouraging fleets to review their security procedures ahead of the holiday, particularly when vehicles are parked overnight, facilities are closed, or fewer employees are available to monitor operations.

The warning is especially relevant for businesses operating delivery vehicles, straight trucks, and other commercial vehicles that may carry valuable cargo.

"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.

A Few Security Checks Before Closing for the Holiday

J. J. Keller recommends several precautions that businesses with commercial vehicles can put into practice:

• Know where vehicles will be parked. Choose well-lit, secure locations and avoid leaving loaded vehicles unattended when possible.
• Check locks and cargo compartments. Make sure vehicles are secured and drivers understand company procedures.
• Use the technology you already have. GPS tracking and telematics systems may help identify unauthorized vehicle movement or unusual activity.
• Make reporting procedures clear. Employees should know who to contact if they discover suspicious activity, damaged locks, or signs of tampering.

The company also recommends checking facility lighting, surveillance systems, and access controls before extended closures.

Building Better Fleet Security Habits

J. J. Keller's new whitepaper, Cargo Security and Preventing Theft in Trucking, outlines a layered approach to protecting commercial vehicles and cargo.

While the resource focuses on motor carriers, its guidance on vehicle security, driver awareness, and operating procedures offers useful considerations for businesses managing smaller commercial fleets.

"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 resource provides additional guidance on theft prevention, vehicle monitoring, employee training, and security procedures.