Law enforcement agencies give tips to avoid package thefts

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Video of what appears to be a package theft in Hamilton County is gaining a lot of attention on social media. According to different law enforcement agencies, they tend to see more thefts during the holidays.

It is that time of year, where people will be expecting more mail and packages. Many deliveries will be left on front porches.

Recently someone took to Facebook to tell residents in East Brainerd, Ooltewah, and Collegedale to be on the lookout. They shared home security video showing a woman getting out of a car, knocking on the door and then when no one answered, she takes a package. She leaves and gets in a car.

“Whenever the holidays come about we always see a few more, some years are different, some years more than others, but we definitely see an increase in package thefts, we see an increase in package thefts across the board, not just from porches,” said Matt Lea, with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

If you won’t be around when the package arrives, there are some ways to handle that situation.

“Make sure that you have someone at home, like a family member or trusted neighbor that can come next door and pick it up for you and save it until you get home. Or if you have a distribution center like FedEx and UPS here locally, try to have it sent to one of those areas,” Lea said.

Ryan Shipley, with ADS Security, says customers come to them for an extra layer of safety. They have different options from doorbell cameras to more in-depth home security systems.

“I think it is just peace of mind, peace of mind and awareness. It is really nice and comforting knowing that when you come home you are coming home to a house that no one else has been in the entirety of the day,” Shipley said.

Shipley says people start thinking about home security during the holidays.

“Actually thieves wait on this time of year because it is ‘easy pickings.’ They can kind of go in there and take all of that stuff. Which is unfortunate, but a home security system can help benefit and deter a thief,” Shipley said.

The video circulating is serving as a warning.

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office says recently they have had only one package theft case they are aware.

The Chattanooga Police Department shared recently investigated a case and shared a comment from the resident they helped.

We ? getting messages like this one: pic.twitter.com/q3UI8WCcrS

— Chattanooga Police (@ChattanoogaPD) November 16, 2018

CPD shared these tips for preventing package and mail theft:
• Track your shipment online
• Choose a shipping option that requires a signature upon delivery
• Arrange to ship the package to a third party.
o Someone who’s typically home during the day or a place of business
o Whole Foods for Amazon deliveries
• Ask delivery service to hold the package for pick-up at their facility
• Make sure the typical drop-off location at your home is well lit
• Tell the delivery driver where to leave the package, somewhere less obvious and/or visible
• Install cameras
• Install locking mailbox
• Do not send cash in the mail
• Try not to leave mail in the mailbox for extended periods of time

If you think a package was stolen contact the Chattanooga Police Department’s non-emergency line at 423-698-2525.