Today’s marketplace has shifted heavily into the digital space, with consumers embracing the beautiful conveniences of online shopping. This change has benefited millions as necessities such as medication and groceries can quickly be delivered to your doorstep. Even shopping for the holidays and special events has become streamlined, allowing us to spend more time with others rather than endlessly searching storefronts for the right gift. However, with all these newfound convinces, those seek to exploit others. While, ideally, packages would be delivered when you’re home and ready to receive them, this is not always the case. Boxes can sit on front porches for hours, waiting to be brought inside. This is where porch pirates enter the picture.
Porch pirates will often employ one of two tactics when stealing deliveries. The first method is to case neighborhoods randomly for any unattended packages picking them up as they come across them. The second tactic is to follow a delivery driver directly, collecting boxes after they have been dropped off. Unfortunately, both methods result in multiple residences experiencing theft right at their doorstep. These thefts can feel violated, and even have some questioning how safe their neighborhood is. In most cases, residents cannot do anything about the theft after it has occurred. However, preventative measures can be put in place to deter and prevent porch pirates from targeting your home.
Invest in deterrents
A video doorbell is one of the simplest and most effective measures homeowners can take to deter theft. These nifty devices are game changers, providing access to live feeds, motion alerts, and video recordings. Depending on the brand, some doorbells include a microphone feature where you can initiate a two-way talk. With various brands, you can comfortably stay within your determined budget while effectively monitoring the home.
Keep notifications on for tracking packages.
Regarding shipping, the delivery date is not always set in stone. This is often the case for massive retailers and small businesses due to unexpected delivery delays such as weather. By keeping shipping updates on, you can more accurately gauge when a package arrives and plan around to ensure no boxes sit unattended for too long.
Another notification method residents can try is a mailbox sensor. This small device adheres to the inside of your mailbox, sending an alert to the user’s device when the mailbox has been opened. A mailbox sensor is ideal for smaller packages and more sensitive mail. This method insight into when mail is being delivered and how often it is being checked by third parties looking for a quick opportunity.
Set up a designated package area.
Some delivery drivers go above and beyond by tucking deliveries away behind a potted plant or piece of furniture, effectively hiding boxes in plain sight from would-be porch pirates. However, not every driver has the time to hide boxes. Even when a package is out of sight, porch pirates, when brave enough, can still search the front porch for any packages.
One way to ensure packages are both tucked away and secure is through a porch lockbox. You could invest in a proper porch lock box explicitly designed for parcels. While these lockboxes can become expensive, residents could also DIY their drop-off box to keep packages out of sight. Both options would utilize the delivery instructions in which residents could provide details on where the drop-off is located.
Be active in the community.
The last tip in preventing porch pirates is to be active within your neighborhood and the local community. When porch pirates case areas, they look for quiet streets with very little foot traffic. Because the community is less active, the risk of being caught in the act is lower. Get to know your neighbors better to create an environment where porch pirates think twice.
With these newfound tips and tricks, place those online orders with confidence. You can learn more about preventing thefts in your community by contacting our dedicated team at Apex Security.