Preventing “porch pirates” this holiday season

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Online orders placed on Black Friday and Cyber Monday could bring more than just your packages. It could also bring in porch pirates: people who steal mail or packages right from your doorstep.

Security.org’s ongoing research for “porch pirates” found 17% of Americans (44 million people) have had packages stolen in the past three months alone, accounting for more than $8 billion in stolen merchandise. They expect that number to rise this holiday season.

People can also help prevent their packages being stolen by putting a Ring camera by their front door.

“Last year, we had multiple instances where people caught ‘porch pirates’ on their Ring cameras,” says Chief Keith Sewell of Fort Oglethorpe Police Department.

While it’s not guaranteed your packages are completely safe, it is important that delivering companies try to hide packages.

“The packages that are being delivered, if companies like UPS and FedEx can keep them hidden behind a bench, potted plant or something that might be on the porch, that might cut back on theft this holiday season,” says Chief Sewell.

In the research from Security.org, they added some helpful tips to protect holiday packages this season, such as:

• Make it clear your property is under surveillance – use expanded connectivity to your advantage.
• Have packages delivered to a secure address (office, coded locker or drop box, or route packages).
• Schedule shipments wisely to consolidate deliveries, track progress.

If you notice anyone trying to steal a neighbor’s mail or package this holiday season, immediately call your local police department.