THE HUGE NUMBER OF CARGO AND TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT THEFTS ANNUALLY CONTRIBUTE TO LOST PROFITS FOR BUSINESSES AND HIGHER PRICES FOR CONSUMERS. PROPER SECURITY PROCEDURES CAN GREATLY REDUCE THEFT COSTS. THE VALUE OF ANY SECURITY PROGRAM CAN BE MEASURED BY AN ANALYSIS OF THE COST OF THEFTS BEFORE AND AFTER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERNAL (TO PREVENT EMPLOYEE THEFT) AND EXTERNAL SECURITY MEASURES. A COMPREHENSIVE SECURITY PROGRAM FOCUSES ON ACTUAL CARGO SECURITY; EMPLOYEE RECRUITING, APPLICATION SCREENING PROCEDURES, AND SUPERVISION; THE FORMALIZATION OF COMPANY POLICY ABOUT SECURITY AND LOSS PREVENTION; AND LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS IN THE EVENT OF THEFT. CARGO SECURITY SHOULD INVOLVE PROCEDURES AT THE DEPOT OR WAREHOUSE LOCATIONS, IN TRANSIT, AND AT DESTINATION. EMPLOYEE HIRING PROCEDURES SHOULD INCLUDE A FULL HISTORY OF EACH JOB APPLICANT TO DETERMINE PATTERNS THAT MIGHT CONTRIBUTE TO THEFT BEHAVOR ALONG WITH A PHOTOGRAPH AND FINGERPRINTS. BEFORE FORMALIZING A SECURITY POLICY, EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE CONSULTED FOR SUGGESTIONS AS TO HOW SECURITY MIGHT BE IMPROVED IN THEIR JOB AREAS. A THOROUGH EXAMINATION SHOULD BE CONDUCTED OF COMPANY PREMISES TO DETERMINE SECURITY WEAKNESSES. IT IS IMPORTANT FROM A MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE TO FIX RESPONSIBILITY FOR COMPANY SECURITY WITH ONE OFFICIAL WHO IS ACCOUNTABLE TO TOP MANAGEMENT. BECAUSE COMPUTER SYSTEMS ARE AN IMPORTANT VEHICLE FOR THEFT, ACCESS TO THEM SHOULD BE CAREFULLY CONTROLLED. (RCB)