A package thief in Sacramento was caught on camera wearing a black plastic trash bag disguise while stealing a package from a doorstep. The homeowner, Omar Gabriel Munoz, found humor in the thief's creativity and didn't report the incident to the police as the stolen items were of low value. Munoz shared the door-camera footage and expressed a lighthearted attitude, stating that he takes everything in a positive way.
Canadian police in Quebec warned citizens against posting surveillance footage of alleged package thieves, citing potential privacy violations and defamation charges. The warning sparked backlash and disbelief, with critics accusing law enforcement of prioritizing criminals over victims. The Sûreté du Québec advised people to report theft to the police instead of publicly sharing footage.
As the holiday season brings an increase in package thefts, law enforcement agencies are offering tips to avoid falling victim to porch pirates. Suggestions include using package tracking, installing video doorbells or security cameras, utilizing "package pick up" or "hold at location" services, using Amazon lockers, considering a porch lockbox, requiring a signature on delivery, purchasing a mailbox sensor, scheduling deliveries for when someone is home, and purchasing insurance for high-value packages.
Police in Rochester, New York, are warning residents about the rise of porch pirates, thieves who steal packages delivered to people's homes. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office and Brighton Police Department are investigating multiple cases of stolen packages, with thieves targeting apartment complexes. Law enforcement advises residents to have packages delivered to secure locations such as workplaces, storage lockers, or trusted neighbors. Efforts to partner with Amazon for more secure delivery have been hindered by inconsistent use of passcodes by delivery services. Authorities are urging anyone with information on package thieves to contact 911.
An Englewood man has designed and built his own lock box, called the "Tommy box," to deter porch pirates during the holiday season. With package theft becoming a prevalent issue, authorities recommend being home for deliveries, tracking packages, using secure pick-up locations, and installing cameras. The rise in package theft during the holidays prompts police departments to advise homeowners to take precautions and report any incidents to help detect emerging trends.
Porch piracy, the theft of packages from doorsteps, is on the rise, with estimates of 100-250 million stolen packages in the US in the last year alone, totaling $6-20 billion. Experts suggest that consumers take precautions such as requesting signature requirements, scheduling deliveries when someone is home, using smart lockers or secure devices, and engaging with their community to prevent theft. While technology like video surveillance cameras and GPS tracking devices have been used, their effectiveness in deterring theft is questionable. Shipping companies are also implementing artificial intelligence and analytics to identify high-risk deliveries and prevent losses.
With the holiday season in full swing, the risk of package theft is on the rise. As more people shop online and have packages delivered to their homes, criminals are taking advantage of the opportunity. To safeguard packages, it is recommended to use credit cards for purchases, consider alternative delivery options like lockers or local postal offices, track packages carefully, and be cautious of scam text messages. Additionally, paying for insurance or requiring a signature for high-priced packages can provide added protection. In the unfortunate event of a theft, it is important to verify the theft, notify all parties involved, contact the credit card company, and inform law enforcement.
With the rise of online shopping during the holiday season, the threat of porch pirates stealing packages from doorsteps is increasing. To protect your deliveries, consider using a video doorbell to deter thieves and capture their faces. Choose a delivery date when someone will be home, sign up for delivery notifications, and talk to your delivery drivers to ensure safe placement of packages. Utilize Amazon Lockers or install a locking delivery box or smart mailbox for added security. Another option is Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery, which allows packages to be securely placed inside your garage. Stay informed about nearby package theft reports and consider requesting a signature confirmation for deliveries. By implementing these strategies, you can keep your packages safe and enjoy a worry-free holiday season.
A study by home security company Vivant ranked the top 10 cities in the US for porch piracy, based on trending searches on package thefts. Cincinnati and Cleveland, both in Ohio, made it to the list, with Cincinnati ranking 9th and Cleveland ranking 10th. St. Louis topped the list, followed by Jersey City and Madison. Vermont ranked first among states for package thefts.
A DoorDash driver in New York, Juliana Saggaram, has been charged with two counts of petit larceny after allegedly using food delivery as a cover to steal packages from porches. Doorbell camera footage shows Saggaram taking a package off a porch while delivering food and fleeing the scene. She was also charged in a similar incident on the same day. Saggaram is scheduled to appear in court on October 20.
UPS is using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to combat package theft by "porch pirates." The company's program, DeliveryDefense, generates a delivery risk assessment based on UPS delivery data, historical loss patterns, and address characteristics. It provides a score that retailers can use to recommend the best delivery option to ensure packages reach their intended destination. In cases where the risk score is low, merchants can suggest in-store pickup or delivery to a UPS Access Point. The tool is available to businesses of all sizes and can be integrated into their order fulfillment systems. Consumers can receive alerts about their package deliveries through the UPS My Choice program, which allows them to provide delivery instructions.
UPS is using artificial intelligence (AI) to combat package theft by "porch pirates" through its program called DeliveryDefense. The AI-powered tool generates a delivery risk assessment based on UPS delivery information, historical loss patterns, and address characteristics, providing a score that retailers can use to recommend the best delivery option. This helps increase the chances of successful deliveries and allows retailers to suggest alternative options such as UPS Store locations or Access Points. Package theft is a growing concern, with millions of Americans experiencing stolen packages annually. DeliveryDefense aims to address this issue by leveraging AI and machine learning to optimize delivery outcomes and reduce theft.
