South Snohomish County Crime Watch Hot Sheet: PACKAGE THEFT- Porch Pirates Steal Billions from Front Porches

Thursday, November 7, 2024

PACKAGE THEFT- Porch Pirates Steal Billions from Front Porches

Package thefts are a problem throughout the year with the holidays having a higher level of deliveries to homes. According to some estimates, 22 billion packages are delivered to homes each year. In the past year, $12 billion in merchandise has been stolen from front porches. In one survey, 59% of Americans are at least slightly to moderately concerned about package theft with 28% very or extremely concerned.

Securing delivered packages on your front porch can be a challenge especially since the packages often can be easily seen from the street. But you can take steps to reduce the chance of theft.

· Reduce the time the package is on your front porch. This can be a challenge, especially if you have to be away from your home when the package is delivered. The less time a package is on your front porch, the less chance a package thief will have to steal it.

o Take advantage of package tracking. Each delivery service, including the US Postal Service, offers package tracking so that you know where the package is in their delivery system. Many will send a message when your package is delivered. If you are at home, you can quickly bring it into your house. If you are not at home, ask a trusted neighbor to watch your porch, and secure any packages on it.

· Have your packages delivered to a pickup location. Delivery companies have places where you can pick up your packages, such as the UPS Store, FEDEX Store, or Amazon Lockers. This way your package is secure until you pick it up. It does require an extra step, but you could pick it up on the way from work or when you are running errands.

· Consider installing a package lockbox. A lockbox located on your front porch, secures your packages so that they are inaccessible to porch pirates. Be sure to bolt the box to the flooring of your porch so that thieves cannot make off with the box then open it at their leisure. Also, be sure that its design is easy for the delivery driver to use so that he/she will use it. When you place an order for delivery, be sure to give instructions to use the box and how to open it (including any codes that might have to be used). Lock boxes can range in cost from $100 to $400.

· If you do not want to invest in a lockbox, instruct the driver to place the package in a more secure location around your house. This can be on the side of the house, where the package will not be visible, or even on your back porch.

· Require a signature on delivery. The benefit is that when the driver collects your signature, he/she hands the package directly to you. This is best if you are going to be at home most of the day.

· Install a video doorbell or other security camera at your front door. An essential element to prevent theft is to ensure the camera is visible to everyone, and, if you have a security system, a sign is prominently posted so that people arriving at your property know you have a security system. Most thieves on seeing cameras or seeing there is a security system on the property will go on to another target (87% according to one study). Notice I said “most” thieves. Obviously, there are plenty of security videos floating around social media showing porch pirates ignoring the fact that there are cameras in place. With a camera that records events, there is an opportunity to give an investigating deputy a recording of the theft.