My job requires a lot of research into home security. During one of my recent research stints, I was curious to know how hard it is to catch porch pirates. I also wanted to know how many actually are caught and prosecuted. Guess what I learned? It is harder to catch porch pirates than stop them from committing their crimes in the first place.
Porch pirates take advantage of several important things. First and foremost are packages left unattended on front porches, stoops, etc. Next is knowing that said packages will be left unattended long enough for criminals to swipe them. And third, porch pirates rely on people not paying attention. All the things that make porch piracy successful are easily prevented. With some common sense and a little tech from a company like Vivint Home Security, stopping porch piracy is possible.
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Leaving Packages Unattended
What if someone told you that the best way to stop porch pirates is to not leave packages unattended? It’s a no-brainer, right? Of course it is. Having no packages to steal puts a package thief out of business. It is far easier to find ways to prevent unattended packages than to try to catch a thief after the fact.
Turns out it’s actually easier to do than most people know. One of the easiest ways is to have your packages delivered to a commercial locker location – where available, of course. Public lockers are popping up all over the place. Packages are delivered to secure lockers; consumers swing by and pick up their packages when it is convenient for them.
If you do not like the idea of having to go pick up packages at another location, do you have a friend or neighbor whose schedule is opposite yours? You can agree to have your packages shipped to one another’s houses based on your schedules. You receive her packages when she is not home; she receives yours when you are not.
Bringing Them in as Soon as They Arrive
Being home when packages are delivered doesn’t do much good if you let them sit on the front porch for any length of time. Porch pirates couldn’t care less whether or not someone is home as long as they have enough time to walk up, grab packages, and get away.
Your best line of defense in this regard is package tracking. When an item you have ordered online ships, immediately check the tracking to learn when it will arrive. On the day of delivery, pay close attention to tracking progress. Also, keep your phone on and your email open. As soon as the package arrives you should get a notice from the delivery company. Immediately go outside and retrieve your packages.
Don’t want to watch your phone? Do things the old way. Pay attention to when delivery services normally pass through your neighborhood. Then simply watch out the window. It doesn’t take much to figure out when a delivery truck pulls up in front of your house. You can meet the driver at the door.
Try a Little Technology
All your anti-port piracy efforts can be enhanced with a little technology. Install a video doorbell. Actually, any exterior surveillance camera will do the trick. If you do not like that idea, consider installing a package safe on your porch. Better yet, use your home automation system to let the delivery driver into your garage.
Porch piracy thrives because we make it too easy. All it would take to end porch piracy is a little effort on our parts to eliminate the opportunities to steal.