Seaport Vulnerability to Criminal Networks: An Analysis of Criminological Vulnerability in the Top 30 U.S. Container Ports

• In Event: Organized Crime, Prevention and Protection

Abstract

Seaports form a unique space for criminological examination. As the locus points for the majority of international and domestic trade criminal network access to a port can provide outsized benefits. While ports are physical spaces they are underlined by complex systems incorporating public and private agencies, companies and small entities. Underlying the administrative and logistical activity at the port is a jurisdictional web of public and private security regulatory agencies. The complexity of the environment creates vulnerabilities that criminal networks can use to gain access to ports. This presentation will describe the Seaport Vulnerability Framework (SVF), developed from the rational choice and situational crime prevention literature with a multi-disciplinary focus that allows security stakeholders to identify whether a port is at risk of utilization by criminal networks. The presentation will describe an analysis of the top 30 U.S. container seaports scored using the SVF and identify thematic issues for discussion.

Author

• Leonid Lantsman, U.S. Department of State / Graduate Center- CUNY/John Jay College of Criminal Justice