HANCOCK COUNTY — ‘Tis the season to be aware of porch pirates — people who steal packages from outside homes during the holiday season. With more people shopping online, an increase in package thefts seems to always occur during the holiday season, local law enforcement officials say.
The Greenfield Police Department recently took four reports of package and mail theft. The thefts occurred from porches of homes in the 800 block of Michigan Street, 500 block of North Franklin Street, 100 block of West North Street, and in the 400 block of East Main Street. No one has been arrested.
Police are reminding people that if they order online this holiday season, they should stay vigilant and retrieve their packages as soon as possible. They can also be good neighbors and report any kind of suspicious activity nearby.
According to national package theft data, some 11 million homeowners nationwide have had a package stolen in the past year. However, with the holidays approaching and the number of deliveries certain to increase, shoppers don’t have to be helpless.
Lt. Nichole Gilbert, chief of detectives of the Greenfield Police Department, suggests using other delivery options, such as having packages sent to the post office for pickup or dropped off with a neighbor certain to be home when the package arrives.
“Another option is having packages delivered to their workplace, or a relative’s house where they know someone will be there all day,” Gilbert said.
Other suggestions from law enforcement include installing a security camera system; getting to know delivery people; networking with neighbors; picking up packages in person; scheduling deliveries for times you’ll be home; requiring a signature to receive packages; or using a package lock box.
Should a theft occur, victims should call the police or the sheriff’s department to notify them of the theft immediately, said Robert Harris, public information officer for the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
Among other strategies, Harris likes the idea of a lock box. “If multiple packages are to be delivered in the same day, residents can usually provide the lock code in the delivery instructions for the items,” Harris said.
Renting a mailbox at a retail store is another option; packages delivered there would be safe until pickup.
Harris also stresses the importance of doorbell cameras in catching thieves. “Then, if a package is stolen, at least there is video evidence,” Harris said.
This holiday season, the United States Postal Service estimates it will deliver more than 15 billion pieces of mail and packages. That total doesn’t include deliveries by companies such as FedEx, UPS and Amazon.
The postal service recommends neighbors should be aware of activity on their street and call authorities if they notice an unfamiliar vehicle following a delivery truck or unknown people loitering around mailboxes.
The United States Postal Inspection Service recommends trying not to leave letters and packages in your mailbox or at your door for any length of time. If a person cannot be home to receive a package from the post office, they should make other arrangements or use the USPS Hold Mail Service and when mailing something important.
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Suggestions for keeping packages and mail safe this holiday season:
Avoid sending cash by mail.
Don’t leave delivered mail and packages unattended.
Consider an alternate shipping address.
Customize the delivery. If the package won’t fit in the mailbox and the customer won’t be home to receive it, the customer can provide delivery instructions online and authorize the carrier to leave it in a specified location.
Going out of town? Hold mail at the local post office.
Choose the most secure form of delivery. For the most valuable packages, customers can opt for Registered Mail service. Registered Mail receives special handling from the time it’s mailed until it’s delivered, documenting the chain of custody.
Post office boxes might be the answer. Customers concerned about the security of their mail can consider renting one at their local post office.
Source: United States Post Office
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