Thanksgiving Aftermath: December’s Cargo Theft Peak Is Hitting Harder in 2025 – Here’s How to Lock It Down

The turkey is gone, the leftovers are dwindling, and the holiday lights are up… but so are the thieves.

December isn’t just the most wonderful time of the year — it’s officially the most dangerous month for cargo crime in the United States.

Early numbers from CargoNet and Overhaul are Flashing Red:

- Q3 2025 already saw 645 reported thefts (+29% YoY)

- Thanksgiving week alone logged 31 food & beverage incidents

- December historically averages 11 thefts per day, with the final two weeks often pushing daily averages into the teens

Why the post-Thanksgiving explosion? Simple:

- Loads of high-value electronics, appliances, and premium food/beverage are still moving from Black Friday/Cyber Monday

- Drivers and yard staff are running on fumes (or taking well-earned PTO)

- Trailers sit longer in drop yards, rest areas, and customer lots while facilities run skeleton crews

- Organized rings know exactly when security is thinnest — and they’re already working the holiday calendar

In New Jersey, the Port of NY/NJ is still clearing the Cyber Monday container surge, meaning I-95, I-78, and the Turnpike are crawling with high-value freight and equally high traffic. One stolen load here can easily top $750,000.

5 Things Smart Fleets Are Doing Right Now (December Survival Checklist)

1. No More “Quick Drops” – If the receiver is closed for extended holiday weekends, reroute to a Yard Secure™ verified lot instead of leaving it on their dock.

2. Double-Seal Discipline – Use numbered bolt seals + photo documentation at every stop. Thieves hate evidence.

3. Geofence Everything – Set trailer GPS alerts for any movement between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Monday — that’s when 62% of weekend thefts happen.

4. Light It Up – Park only where there are working lights and cameras. A $12 motion-activated floodlight on the catwalk has stopped more thefts than you’d believe.

5. Share Intel Fast – One suspicious follower reported today can stop a whole ring tomorrow.

The holidays are for family, football, and second helpings — not insurance claims and carrier-score nightmares.

From all of us at TruckWarden — stay vigilant, stay safe, and enjoy the holidays you’ve earned.

#CargoTheft #HolidaySecurity #TruckWarden #SupplyChain