NCJ Number
66968
Journal
Security Management Volume: 24 Issue: 4 Dated: (APRIL 1980) Pages: 6-8,11-12,14,82-83
Date Published
1980
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THE EFFORTS OF THE PORT OF BALTIMORE (MARYLAND) TO PREVENT CARGO LOSS ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
BALTIMORE'S COMPLETE SHIPPING FACILITY HAS NOT HAD THE MAJOR CRIME PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH PORTS LIKE NEW YORK BECAUSE OF A LOSS PREVENTION PROGRAM MADE WORKABLE THROUGH THE COOPERATION OF THE PORT POLICE, U.S. CUSTOMS OFFICIALS, CITY POLICE, SHIPPING COMPANIES, AND LONGSHOREMEN'S UNIONS. IN 1977, THE MARYLAND STATE POLICE TOOK OVER THE MARYLAND PORT ADMINISTRATION (MPA) POLICE DEPARTMENT WHERE IT FOUND CORRUPTION. THE MPA DEPARTMENT WAS REVAMPED TO OPERATE UNDER STATE POLICE PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES, AND SUPERVISION WAS STRENGTHENED. LOSS PREVENTION MEASURES AND TRAFFIC CONTROL WERE INCREASED, WITH A RESULTANT DECREASE IN THEFT. TRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND LABOR UNIONS WERE ENCOURAGED TO SUPPORT THE LOSS PREVENTION EFFORT. PORT POLICE INCREASED THEIR FOOT PATROL TIME IN THE TERMINALS, REDUCING THE THEFT RATE AND INCREASING RECOVERY. SPECIAL SURVEILLANCES HAVE BEEN INSTITUTED, ALONG WITH PERIODIC TRUCK CHECKS. PERSONS CAUGHT STEALING ARE PROSECUTED WHENEVER POSSIBLE. DESPITE LONGSHOREMEN AND TENANT OBJECTIONS TO WHAT THEY FELT WAS POLICE OVERREACTION AND INTERFERENCE INTO THEIR AFFAIRS, TENANTS OF THE STATE-OWNED TERMINALS HAVE ADMITTED THAT THE INCREASED SECURITY AND CRIME PREVENTION TECHNIQUES HAVE PAID OFF. THE PRIVATE TERMINALS DO NOT HAVE THE BENEFIT OF CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL SECURITY SERVICE AND USE STEVEDORES AND OTHER DOCK WORKERS TO MOVE THEIR CARGO. HOWEVER, GUARDS FOR THE SHIPPING AND STEVEDORING COMPANIES IN BALTIMORE BELONG TO A UNION CALLED THE WATERFRONT GUARD ASSOCIATION (WGA) AND MUST HIRE THEIR GUARDS FROM THE WGA, A PROCESS WHICH ENSURES EXCELLENT GUARD CAPABILITY. THE COMPANIES THEN CAN USE THESE GUARDS IN WHATEVER SECURITY PROGRAM THEY HAVE. GOOD SECURITY MANAGEMENT AND LOSS PREVENTION TECHNIQUES HAVE PROVEN TO BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN CONCENTRATION ON THE APPREHENSION OF CRIMINALS OR PURCHASE OF A LOT OF FANCY SECURITY EQUIPMENT. ENCOURAGING PRIVATE INDUSTRY TO ADOPT A LOSS PREVENTION ATTITUDE IS AN ONGOING, IMPORTANT TASK. THE MPA HAS ASSISTED IN ESTABLISHING CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS AND ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS; SUCH COOPERATION BETWEEN PRIVATE INDUSTRY AND THE MPA POLICE IS ALSO STRONGLY ENCOURAGED. (MHP)