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8/12/2020

Supply Chain Crime – Protect Your Deliveries

It may come as a surprise initially to learn that widespread severe income disparity contributes to supply chain crime. But that is and has been the case for almost a decade. That gap is increasing year over year and more so with COVID-19, and organized crime groups are salivating at the possibilities.

This infographic shows the progression from severe income disparity to wider security risks:

According to the World Economic Forum, COVID-19 continues to disrupt manufacturing and supply chains. Just ten years ago the forum prioritized environmental triggers of global supply chain disruptions like natural disasters 64%, extreme weather 30% and Pandemics 11%. Evidence of foresight there with pandemics but quite the reversal in priority. Hindsight certainly is 2020.

In the here and now, the Forum sought industry leadership advice to identify the best responses to the pandemic with the aim of building resilience in supply systems. The findings were featured in the white paper “How to rebound stronger from COVID-19: Resilience in manufacturing and supply systems,” considering three areas: immediate action, recovery and improved resilience, and adaptation to ensure long-term success.

Leaders are proactively taking action to protect employees, ensure supply security, mitigate the financial impact and navigate continued market uncertainty as demand drops. Companies have moved quickly to support suppliers (e.g. access to advanced network simulations), ensure cash liquidity and mitigate the impact on customers (e.g. extended payment terms, shifting freight modes) while contributing their part to society (e.g. repurposing manufacturing to produce essential goods).

Due to COVID-19, there is more vulnerability in the supply chain than ever. With people’s reduced income and an increase in mental health issues, the temptation for distribution workers and drivers, if approached and offered strong financial incentives, to become involved in collusion, will be significant.

Reduce theft risk as a home occupier:

• Thieves simply do not want to be seen commiting crimes, so make sure you can see movement in your front yard in daylight, or under your porch lights, security lights or even streetlights, after dark.
• Consider a front door video system, which alerts you to anyone approaching your door. This obviously includes when a package or delivery arrives and will pick up if someone with less friendly intent is heading to your door.
• Closed drapes or blinds during daylight hours, are generally seen by thieves as an indication no-one is home, so avoid that tactic.
• Encourage neighbours in eyeshot to be vigilant and watch your property front as you do the same for them. This ‘cocoon watch’ arrangement increases the risk to thieves of being seen.
• If you place an order and have a delivery date, plan to be home when it arrives. The longer a gift is sitting on your stoop the easier it is to take.
• Everything has a value to a doorstep thief; the lowest common denominator is hot food. It might not be the offender’s order but it’s hot, edible, and available, unless you are there to receive it.
• If you cannot be there, then arrange for a proxy to collect and secure. A neighbour for example.
• Ensure you track your order so you can check in on its progress. Add tracking to items when sending them yourself.
• Check out Canada Post options for safer delivery of online orders.

We’re all in this together, especially as things ramp-up for the holiday season. Lions Gate is the ideal private partner to align with law enforcement and to share data. We have the talent within our team, and the capacity, to analyze the data and to take solution profiles to a next level. Reducing levels of victimization in communities reduces the burden on law enforcement, allowing a shift in approach towards more proactivity and prevention.

For any support and assistance call 1.604.383.0020 or toll-free at 1.800.212.2026 or visit www.lgrmg.ca at any time. Our expertise is your peace of mind.