SAVANNAH, GA (December 18, 2014): The annual holiday gift season is being accompanied by the annual theft of packages left by delivery services and Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police are offering tips to prevent it.
Thefts of packages left at front doors have been reported, and awareness and caution are being suggested.
Crime Prevention Officers in Metro’s five precincts suggest that recipients:
- Communicate with neighbors to keep a keen eye out for suspicious activity in the neighborhood. The holidays usually bring an increase in all thefts, from delivered packages, to items in yards (bicycles, lawn equipment, furniture, etc.) Call Emergency 911 immediately if anyone suspicious appears in the area.
- Arrange for packages to be delivered on a day you are available. Or, arrange with a neighbor to receive the delivery.
- Arrange with businesses you are buying from to pick the item up in stores rather than having them delivered to residences if you don’t expect to be home.
- If expecting a package, try to check for them as often as possible. Thieves sometimes follow delivery trucks to locate packages. They longer they remain at the front door, the easier to steal.
- Most couriers can provide some type of electronic notification when a delivery is made. Check with the provider and sign up for alerts.
- Most package services plan to deliver commercial items during the day and residential items in the evening. Plan to send / receive packages for the hours you are home.
- Whenever possible, arrange for packages to be delivered on days and at times someone will be available to receive them.
- Require a signature for receipt for all deliveries.
- Have packages delivered to your work address or to the courier’s pickup station rather than your home.
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