Some of the local press have
labeled the Wednesday after Cyber Monday “Package Theft Wednesday” because this
is the first day that many of those online orders made on Cyber Monday could be
delivered. Many suggestions have been made to protect against package theft. But
there has not been any one tip or technique that appears to be able to stop
this kind of theft dead in its tracks. I feel that there needs to be more work
into developing methods or products to reduce this increasing problem.
Many modern security devices and
systems provide improvements by being able to message, or in some cases provide
real time video, to a homeowner when they are away from home. Many can document
anyone who has been in a home with video that can be viewed later and the video
can be given to police for their investigation efforts. Some devices can even
allow a homeowner, away from home, to talk to anyone at the front door. Technology
may not be the only solution, but it might help to reduce certain crimes.
In the case of package
deliveries, UPS or FEDEX will place a package on the front porch in front of
the front door. Often, the package is in full view of the street.
A local entrepreneur has created
a product called “Package Guard.” This is a Frisbee sized disk that you place
on your front porch or wherever you have packages delivered. The delivery
person places your package on it. Then you receive a message on your phone that
you have a package. If someone removes the package before you get home, a very
loud alarm sounds alerting your neighbors and scaring the package thief. You
and if you want, your neighbors, also get a message that someone is trying to
take your package. Normally, however, when you arrive home, and no one has
taken your package, all you have to do is disarm the Package Guard with your
phone, and pick up your package.
This is a brand-new product that
has been developed in the last year. Cost is $69.
For more information go to
Package Guard:
KIRO TV:
Another twist that you could add
is to have a camera focused on your front porch. You can accomplish this with security
cameras that you have installed or you install yourself. A newer type of
device, that you can install, is a replacement of your front doorbell that can
take video of anyone at the front door, can record their voice and can allow
you to talk to them. Two products that do this are the Ring, and Skybell. For
more information about these products, you can see my previous post at https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3552509147685054115#editor/target=post;postID=4994029622182156275;onPublishedMenu=overview;onClosedMenu=overview;postNum=0;src=postname.
This one, two punch may not
eliminate package theft. But hopefully it will discourage package thieves from
stealing from you. A loud noise to scare the thief, along with notices to you
and your neighbors who may be at home, allows you and your neighbors to report
the theft to 911 in a timely manner. Technology along with the initiative taken
by you and your neighbors may just make your neighborhood safer.
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