I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at this… Laugh at how much we all trust our luggage is safe and sound (granted in South Africa we know better and pretty much strap an ADT security guard to our bags to ensure they arrive on the other side) or cry at how brazen these luggage thieves all are.

In a massive project at Miami International Airport, hidden cameras have been put up by the Miami-Dade Police Department to investigate the theft of belongings from travellers’ luggage.

“It’s a problem we all face,” said police Lt. Pete Estis. “We will continue to be proactive until we can see that the claims of pilfering through luggage will actually decrease.”

According to reports from the TSA, an estimated $2,5 million worth of claims were paid out between 2010 and 2014.

JFK airport got so bad in 2013 that a hidden camera was put inside the baggage hold on an El Al Airlines flight to Israel. On the flight a record amount of things were taken: a $5,000 Seiko watch, iPhones, an iPad, cameras, gold rings and cash.

The hidden cameras in Miami have helped to catch over 31 thieves since they were put in in 2012.

Watch more about the project HERE.

We could learn a lot form this, ACSA… maybe it’s time you installed some cameras in our airports? Sure would beat standing in queues at the SAPS getting case numbers.

[Source: CNN]