Package Thieves: A Modern Problem

As Holiday shopping reaches its climax in mid-December, a large number of gifts are being purchased online. This is merely due to the convenience of the leisure that comes with modern online shopping and the restrictions of COVID-19. People are less eager to go out and more likely to shop from inside their homes. Although, in my opinion, this takes away the ambiance of the Christmas season I can’t blame anyone for I myself have taken part in mostly online shopping. But the massive influx of online shopping has proven to lead to a large amount of theft of packages. It’s easy and low risk. January 2020 reports of 1.7 million packages stolen per day. Packages are out in the open with nothing in the way. Video camera doorbells seem to be the only way to combat these low-level thieves, however, even being caught on camera is not enough to lock them up. 

Due to so many package robberies, the police are unable to combat each one. Even with video of their packages being stolen people are told, “Sorry there is nothing we can do about it.” It would simply take too long to track them down for such a small amount stolen. 

Although it is a difficult crime to prevent, NJSP.org provides some useful tips to keep our packages secure:

• Sign up for delivery alerts so you know when your delivery is scheduled and when the package has been delivered.

• If you’re not able to be home when a package will be delivered, ask a trusted neighbor to hold it for you.

• If possible, require a signature for all deliveries.

• Consider shipping packages to your place of work or use the ship to store option. Online marketplaces like Amazon also offer the option to ship to secure lockers.

• Be a good neighbor! If you see a package on your neighbor’s doorstep, reach out and ask if they would like you to hold it until they are home.

• If you have a home surveillance system, monitor it more closely when packages are scheduled to arrive.