Message of the Week 11/24/2023 from Lyon County Sheriff Brad Pope
In typical Thanksgiving fashion, the Detroit Lions held on to the deep tradition of losing on Thanksgiving. I apologize to any Lions fans, but everyone expected more! (37-45-2 on Thanksgiving)
Here are ways that you can reduce the opportunity for the Grinches to steal your packages:
Track Packages
Most shippers, including Amazon, FedEx and UPS, give you the option to electronically track a package on its journey to your home. Real-time alerts can help you arrange for someone to pick up the package right after delivery and sometimes even let you opt to have it delivered later if needed.
Another way to thwart porch pirates is to ask that someone sign for a package when it’s delivered, such as a person at your home or a next-door neighbor. Requiring a signature for delivery means that the carrier won’t just drop it on your porch. They’ll need to hand it to someone, so if you aren’t there when they attempt to deliver, they’ll try again.
Amazon doesn’t charge extra for orders to be delivered to one of its lockers. To take advantage of this option, a customer must pick a locker location as a delivery address during the checkout process. An alternative is buying a package locker and setting it up at your home.
Try to schedule deliveries for times when you’re normally at home, such as on the weekends. As an alternative, have packages shipped to your office instead of your home. Amazon even lets you provide secure access to your garage so that packages can be kept out of public view.
If possible, ask delivery drivers to put packages behind a plant, a piece of furniture or another item on your porch so they’re not easy prey for porch pirates.
If you’re worried about a delivered package being taken from your home, consider placing an order online and picking it up at the retailer’s store rather than shipping it to your home. Some retailers even offer pickup via lockers so you don’t have to wait in line at customer service to get your order.
Keeping trusted neighbors in the loop about anticipated package deliveries so they can be on the lookout for packages if you’re not around. Also, inform your neighbors if you do become a victim of package theft.
One of the most widely suggested anti-theft moves is the installation of doorbell video cameras and other security equipment. A doorbell video camera might deter a would-be thief or can capture sharable footage in case a porch pirate successfully steals a package.
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office will be taking a proactive stance to try and capture and dissuade porch pirates from stealing from our community. As a Community we must remain vigilant and do what we can to prevent, solve and prosecute crimes. Please stay safe during this Christmas Season, and now that Thanksgiving is over it’s officially time to decorate for Christmas!
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