No, that one bust back in September of the mail-thief ring has not ended the habit certain unsavory types have of plucking Amazon packages from our porches. Since we’re in the midst of heavy package delivery season, it’s worth taking note.
On the Wallyhood Forums, Leslieredd wrote:
We’ve twice now in the past two weeks had packages stolen from both our front and back doors, both UPS and FedEx.
And Stols responded:
Hello I got a package stolen from my porch on Monday and I was wondering what I should do now?
Thankfully, Amazon will replace the package free of charge, but it’s also a good idea to report it to the police: http://www.seattle.gov/police/report/. As AlChasesHisTrainOfThought notes, SPD’s disclaimer on that site states “All cases filed within this system will be reviewed. Most cases will NOT be investigated.”
As Zod notes in an email, though, SPD says their attention is data-driven: according to the Seastat web site, they use the data on cases filed to decide how to allocate their patrols.
You can also rent a box at the post office, or try Amazon’s locker delivery service. Unfortunately, Nola says:
I ordered something from Amazon today and tried to use the locker pick up option. I wanted to use the one on Leary in the 7 eleven. It said it was full. So I think a lot of people are switching to other options for deliveries. This is a real drag.
Why can’t the package delivery companies install decent cameras on their rear bumpers that are always on and downloaded daily. And then track any package thefts to that particular route, at which point the file can be accessed to see if a particular car, hopefully with a legible license plate, had been following the delivery truck? it seems like a fairly low cost way to start nailing these scum. And maybe eventually bring in more customers who might not otherwise send stuff
We live in sad times.Package theft has been a continuous problem for the last few years. You have to prevent it on your own. Everybody is a grown up and can rent a PO box or have someone at home when they have packages delivered or have them delivered to work or a neighbor who is at home. Or get a big dog.
Folks might also consider having packages delivered to friends or neighbors whom they know will be home during the day.
Other options: If you can, have packages shipped to your workplace (granted, many do not have that option). Or have packages sent to UPS or FedEx store (plenty in the area). If you are often home during the day, ask to have your package sent signature required, so the driver doesn’t just leave it without even ringing the bell.
Do report stolen packages to Fed Ex/UPS/USPS and the sender–as well as the police. I don’t know about the post office, but for the other delivery services, it’s at the discretion of the driver whether to leave a package or not, and Wallingford looks like a safe area. If a lot of theft is reported, drivers may stop leaving unattended packages. Of course, if no one is home during the day, that goes back to the above ideas, or your packages will be returned to sender.
Why can’t we get the UPS driver to ring the doorbell when they leave a package on the porch so the resident can pick it up immediatly?
Another house hit!!! Caught on camera.
https://www.facebook.com/annie.m.huntley/posts/10152952256078698:0
This is an expensive solution, but one that should work in theory (if UPS/FedEX can figure it out).
http://www.thelandport.com/
I just had a similar box fabricated for me (was nearly the same price), so we will see how it works shortly. Hoping for better luck as we have had several packages taken (and one just opened with items removed). Cameras on the porch don’t seem to make a difference, you just get to see who stole your packages.