Railyards face rising crime and safety threats that demand immediate action.
The rail industry is under siege. Rail cargo theft has skyrocketed 58% in just one year, making it the fastest-growing crime in transportation. But theft isn’t the only crisis. Trespassing and suicide attempts on train tracks are now the leading cause of rail-related deaths in the United States, adding a tragic human toll to an already escalating security crisis.
As criminal tactics evolve and rail infrastructure expands, traditional security measures are proving inadequate. Operators risk multi-million-dollar losses, operational disruptions, and preventable fatalities without modern, adaptive security solutions.
Rail security breaches impact far more than just stolen goods. Rail cargo pilferage now accounts for 9% of all confirmed thefts, contributing to over $30 billion in global cargo losses in 2023. Major hubs are working to address the challenges—Long Beach alone is investing $1.5 billion in rail expansion—but with growth comes new vulnerabilities that criminals are more than ready to exploit.
Rail companies are also facing tightening budgets and intense financial pressure. Security must scale with infrastructure growth, but fixed security systems are costly and rigid. The industry needs mobile, cost-effective solutions that provide immediate protection without requiring massive capital investment.
Modern rail thieves are highly sophisticated, organized, and ready to strike at a moment's notice. Crime rings now target cargo with military precision, tracking train schedules, infiltrating routes, and executing coordinated heists. While rail theft happens across the country, from Illinois to Arizona, it’s especially prevalent in the Los Angeles area, as:
But the crisis extends beyond theft. Railyards are also on the frontlines of a growing humanitarian issue. Approximately 220 people die by suicide on train tracks every year, with most incidents occurring at night. According to the findings of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration, California, New York, Florida, and Texas “consistently had the highest number of fatal trespasser strikes.”
“The impact of these incidents reaches beyond the loss of life: train crews experience trauma, railroads and their surrounding communities experience disrupted service and road closures with an estimated overall economic impact of $4.6 million per incident,” the FRA stated. “Many trespasser fatalities are preventable. With a better understanding of how these incidents occur, including the intent of the trespassers involved, railroads can more efficiently and effectively design and implement countermeasures.”
These threats demand a more intelligent and proactive approach to rail security—one that prevents incidents before they happen.
LVT’s mobile security units integrate cutting-edge technology to combat theft and trespassing and track fatalities in real-time:
Los Angeles Police Department Detective Joe Chavez of the LAPD train division task force told ABC7 that a mobile police video surveillance system tailored to combat rail theft helped officers best deploy resources to recover $22 million in merchandise and arrest 22 people.
“It makes the whole system more efficient,” he said. “We weren’t chasing just people running across the track because there are people that just cross the tracks to get to home or wherever. We were able to see actual suspects climbing onto the trains, actually busting open the containers and removing product.”
Fixed security camera systems lack what this modern security challenge calls for: Cost-effective, easily scaled, and interactive sightlines. LVT® Units provide many impressive advantages, including:
LiveView® Technologies quickly adds security to any shipping facility. Asset protection teams can configure and deploy our completely self-sufficient LVT Units in just minutes. Watching premises of this scale requires more vantage points, greater sightlines, and considerably more intel—much more than a team of security guards’ watchful eyes can provide. Here’s how our proactive solution reacts in real time:
As government oversight on rail security increases, LVT’s comprehensive surveillance technology helps railyard security leaders with:
Rail security leaders must adapt their strategies to address ever-evolving criminal tactics. LVT’s mobile security cameras provide a cost-effective solution, one that is flexible, scalable, and backed by advanced surveillance technologies, which are proven to:
Contact LVT today to learn why our customers trust our mobile surveillance cameras to protect their properties. Schedule a demo, and we will show you how to transform your rail security strategy.
