by Calgary Police Service
Every day, pesky patio pirates pinch packages from the porches of the public, procuring those hard-earned purchases for their own profit. Perhaps this has even happened to you or somebody you know.
In the days (and now years) of the pandemic, it has become common practice to have many everyday items shipped to our homes and left on the porch or front steps by delivery drivers. The Calgary Police Service regularly fields calls from citizens reporting thefts from porches, but police have limited success in rescuing packages destined for the wrong hands. The following are some simple tips to keep your presents and packages from being pilfered by porch pirates potentially poking out around the corner.
1. Schedule Your Delivery
Certain deliveries with Amazon Prime are eligible for “Amazon Delivery Day” and allows Prime members to choose up to two specific days each week for delivery. This is a good way to ensure that someone be home to receive the delivery rather than have the package left on the porch or step.
2. Pick Up Your Packages in Person
If you are using Canada Post, DHL, Federal Express, or UPS, there is the option to have them keep your packages at their warehouses, post offices or UPS stores where you can attend and pick up your packages at a time that suits you. Though this is not the most convenient option, it is the most secure.
3. Use an Amazon Locker
For Amazon Prime members, there is the option to have your package delivered to one of the amazon locker locations around the city. The option can be selected at checkout and a list of the nearby lockers is accessible when one chooses this option.
4. Network With Your Neighbours
Another great way to prevent the theft of packages is to work together as a community. Neighbours can agree to look out for strangers in the neighbourhood and keep an eye on deliveries at one another’s homes. This can be taken one step further by having neighbours collect packages from one another’s homes to keep them safe until they can be picked up. Community social media accounts are a great way to stay informed and in contact with each other.
5. Install Security Cameras
The presence of security cameras is already a good deterrent when it comes to crime prevention. Cameras can also alert you of a delivery when a package is dropped off and, in the event, someone does swipe a package, the footage can help police identify the culprits involved.
6. Install a Smart Doorbell
If the idea of a complete security system or installing cameras on your home seems overwhelming or not necessary, a smart doorbell can be a simple solution to preventing thefts. Just like security cameras, the mere presence can be enough of a deterrent to keep packages safe but there is more to these great little devices. These cameras are motion-activated, can send an alert to your phone, and are equipped with two-way communication so you can talk to whoever is at the door. These are generally cost effective and do not require the user to sign up for a monitoring service.
From Pineridge to Pump Hill (or Springbank Hill in this case) Porch Pirates are out to pilfer your packages so follow these pointers to help keep your packages protected. If you ever see a pirate at work, please call your friendly neighbourhood police officers, at 9-1-1, to intervene and remember to always stay safe.
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