Millions of packages are delivered every day in the U.S. Thieves know they are delivered straight to your front door step where they may sit for hours until you come home. Here are some tips from the San Diego Police Department to ensure your packages are delivered safely.
- Tracking numbers let you see when your package is supposed to arrive. This gives you the ability to pick up the package immediately upon delivery or to set up an alternate method of pick up.
- Ask your neighbor to please pick the package up for you; or leave a note on your door instructing the carrier where to leave the package; or request the delivery to be at a location where somebody will be home.
- Request a “Signature Delivery Option.” This ensures the package will not be left on your doorstep. If you are unable to sign, the package will be taken to the post/carrier office.
- Request a specific drop off time when you will be home.
- Use a post office box and pick up all your packages there.
- Have packages delivered to your workplace if possible.
- If purchasing something online from a large retailer, have the item delivered to a local branch of the store so you can pick it up in person.
- Request that the shipper holds the package at their facility for pick up.
- Use Nextdoor.com to communicate any suspicious vehicles seen roaming the neighborhood after delivery times; take pictures if possible.
- Call 9-1-1 if you see a theft occur and report all package thefts to San Diego Police non-emergency 619-531-2000 or online https://www.sandiego.gov/police/crimereports/startaccess
- Set up a surveillance camera system aimed at you porch like Ring, Nest or Samsung’s SmartCam. Let it monitor your entire front porch area. Some of these can record 24/7 video footage and send instant motion alerts to your smart phone. If you have any suspicion that a package might have gone missing, simply check the delivery time (as confirmed by your shipping service) against the stored recordings from your camera and see what happened. If indeed a theft has occurred, you can download the video and use it as evidence when you file your police report.
- Share information and tips with your Neighborhood Watch group.
Crime prevention tips of Community Service Officer Larry Hesselgesser.
For more crime prevention tips, visit https://www.universitycitynews.org/neighborhood-watch/
