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TRALA STATEMENT ON RECENT ACT OF TERROR IN NEW YORK CITY

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (November 2, 2017) -- The Truck Renting and Leasing Association (TRALA) condemns the senseless act of terror that claimed innocent lives and left many injured in New York City this week. As the voice of the truck renting and leasing industry, we stand with all law enforcement in doing everything we can to prevent the misuse of trucks to do harm. With safety and security as our industry's top priority, TRALA, its members and law enforcement officials have been collaborating to enhance efforts in support of this commitment for many years. 
 

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (November 2, 2017) -- The Truck Renting and Leasing Association (TRALA) condemns the senseless act of terror that claimed innocent lives and left many injured in New York City this week. As the voice of the truck renting and leasing industry, we stand with all law enforcement in doing everything we can to prevent the misuse of trucks to do harm. With safety and security as our industry's top priority, TRALA, its members and law enforcement officials have been collaborating to enhance efforts in support of this commitment for many years. 
 
TRALA represents nearly 500 trucking companies throughout North America that employ more than 57,000 people, operate from more than 25,000 locations and represent approximately 25-30% of all trucks and tractors over the road today. TRALA and its members take security very seriously, and we have been partners with multiple governmental agencies over the past two decades to ensure our members' employees have the best information and training to help combat the misuse of trucks for the purpose of doing harm.
 
"TRALA members stand in full support of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and their efforts to prevent the use of trucks for illegal and/or harmful purposes," said Jake Jacoby, TRALA president and CEO. "Further, we will continue to work with law enforcement agencies to prevent these types of acts in the future."

TRALA member companies are well versed in a wide range of security matters and have robust safety and security procedures in place, which they share with industry counterparts as best practices on an ongoing basis. TRALA and its private sector members worked with the Department of Homeland Security to develop a Security Guide, which has been distributed to our entire membership, outlining the importance of counterterrorism and security at truck rental and leasing businesses and, in particular, what could constitute a "red flag." In addition to the brochure, TRALA developed a Self-Assessment Guide for companies to grade themselves based on their security measures.

TRALA and its members have partnered with local, regional and federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, both directly and in meetings and seminars, to cooperate on counter-terrorism, emergency preparedness and other security issues. Our organization's efforts and policies are also guided by TRALA's Security Committee, which is comprised of security professionals, many of whom have law enforcement backgrounds. The committee continually reviews security-related updates from respected sources, including public-private partnerships, federal and local agencies. Additionally, members of law enforcement are frequent participants at TRALA meetings.