Prevent Package Theft with 8 Tips to Deter Porch Pirates
Safeguard your deliveries with these smart suggestions.
Safeguard your deliveries with these smart suggestions.
With the prevalence and reliance on package delivery today, knowing how to prevent package theft is becoming an ever more necessary requirement. According to a C+R Research report, 43% of surveyed consumers had a package stolen in 2020, and 51% of people knew someone who had a package stolen. Avoid becoming a victim of theft by following these 8 helpful tips to protect packages and prevent porch pirates from making off with your goods.
As packages are normally left on your porch or front step, a good doorbell camera will be able to spot anyone coming or going to protect your packages. A high-quality, high-resolution doorbell camera can pick up a porch pirate’s facial features in great detail, making them think twice before trying to steal your latest order. Arlo’s software uses advanced object detection to notify you if the item is a package, person, animal, or vehicle. And their doorbells have a built-in siren you can manually trigger, and two-way voice capabilities, so you can communicate with anyone at your door, and possibly thwart a theft in action.
Thieves can be bold. If your doorbell camera won’t deter them, a high-quality outdoor camera might help with suspect identification. Wide-angle lenses cover more area with fewer cameras, so you can see the direction from which the perpetrator came and the direction they went. Additionally, with good lighting and HD video recording, an outdoor camera could make out a license plate in case you have to file a police report.
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You can often take control of how your packages are delivered by requesting a signature upon delivery and choosing a specific delivery time when you know you’ll be home. Additionally, tracking your package every step of the way ensures that you know its location and that you can be ready to meet your delivery at the expected time.
Sometimes life gets in the way, and you won’t always be present when a delivery is scheduled to arrive. A smart mailbox or reliable lockbox at your home can ensure the safety of packages no matter where you are. With smart technology and a hefty size and weight, a secured mailbox can help protect packages from a would-be thief.
A doorbell camera can keep an eye on packages and deter thieves.
Establishing a relationship with your delivery drivers can be crucial to preventing package theft. Although you may not have the same delivery driver all the time, chances are there will be a common delivery presence. Establishing a positive rapport with delivery drivers can help you make certain requests, like placing your package in an area that’s out of plain view or even in a location that’s inconvenient for thieves to access.
P.O. boxes are relatively affordable and make great options for receiving packages with added security and protection. But if you’d rather not make the drive every time you have a delivery scheduled, consider having your packages shipped directly to your office or work if possible. This way, your packages are always delivered to you without any threat from potential porch pirates.
Creating a formal or informal neighborhood watch can help prevent package theft as your entire community will be more vigilant. A strong community presence can be the difference between being a victim and catching a perpetrator. As you watch out for your neighbor and they watch out for you, you’ll be able to monitor for anything out of place and retrieve packages for one another, thwarting potential thieves before they strike.
Curbside pickup offers many benefits to help ward off potential thieves. It does involve driving to a location to pick up your things yourself but gives you the peace of mind to know you won’t risk having it stolen from your front porch. From groceries and pet food to books and hardware, many everyday essentials are available for curbside pickup, helping you avoid the crowds in stores and potential thieves at home.
Whether it’s gifts for the holidays or everyday grocery deliveries, help protect your valuable packages from porch pirates with these simple tips. Decide what works for you to create the safest environment for you and your property.
