Keep Your Packages Safe this Holiday Season with Package Theft Prevention Tips
from Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves and the Nassau County Police Department
If you have ever ordered clothing, jewelry, gifts, or any other merchandise by phone, computer, or mail chances are those items were delivered straight to your home. Most deliveries DO NOT require a signature and are generally left at your front door even if no one is home to accept them. These packages, which quickly catch the eye of potential thieves, offer criminals that ‘Crime of Opportunity” they are looking for. Thieves looking to steal your packages will follow or watch for UPS, Fed Ex, US Mail, and other delivery service trucks so they can target your home after the parcels are delivered. While this type of crime usually increases around the holidays due to increased shopping, it can occur at any time throughout the year.
Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves is joining with the Nassau County Police Department to help residents protect themselves against thieves committing “crimes of opportunity” by offering the following package protection tips:
Ask for a tracking number. Most major shipping companies offer this service at no charge. This number allows you to track your packages and notifies you when they will be delivered.
Request a “Signature Delivery Option”. This requires a signature when the packages are delivered and ensures they will not be left at the front door.
Request a specific drop off time and date when you will be home to accept your packages.
Arrange to have your packages held at the shipping service so you can pick them up.
Ask the delivery service to leave your packages at a side or back door. An enclosed porch where packages are out of sight is also a good option.
Have your packages delivered to your workplace.
Have your packages delivered to the home of a relative or neighbor who will be there to accept them.
Ask to have your packages delivered to a retail store so you can pick them up at your convenience.
Ask a trustworthy neighbor to keep a “Watchful Eye” out for your packages. If they’re willing, ask them to safeguard your packages until you return home.
Consider installing a visible surveillance camera and security company sign near the front door of your home.
If your packages do not arrive as scheduled contact the sender immediately.