Tips On How To Prevent Thieves From Stealing Packages

An estimated 23 million packages could be stolen this holiday season from people’s doorsteps, according to Larry Stevens with ADT Security.

“That is a lot and that could be yours,” said Stevens.

He said some of their customers have experienced this, but security systems and its signs placed in the yard can be a huge deterrent for thieves.

“When they see the camera, they are apt more to do not what they planned on doing,” said Stevens. “But if they do it anyway, of course, you do have the information to provide to authorities.”

The Oklahoma City Police Department is asking people to take precautions.

“Think of those items as an item of value. You wouldn’t typically take other items of value and just leave them on your front porch,” police Master Sgt. Gary Knight said.

Here are a few tips:

• Deliver your packages to work.
• Have a neighbor who is home keep an eye out and pick up your packages.
• Redirect deliveries to a trusted neighbor, friend or family.
• Tell the delivery service to hold or hide your packages.
• Request a signature confirmation.

“It take a thief just seconds to walk up, remove an item of value from your porch and just make off with it,” said Knight.

Package thefts happen year-round, but it is more prevalent during the holidays because of the increase in deliveries. The key is to reduce the amount of time a package sits on your front porch.