SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Springfield Police Department is reminding residents to take steps to deter porch pirates from stealing packages during Cyber Monday.
“Porch theft can happen in seconds,” said Lt. Jennifer Charleston, commander of the Property Crimes Section, in a news release. “A few simple preventative measures can make a major difference in protecting your deliveries.”
SPD recommends using security measures and technology to catch potential porch pirates, such as:
- Installing security cameras or video doorbells. Visible cameras can deter potential thieves who do not want to be caught on video. Ensure these cameras are recording and can capture an image of a potential thief.
- Using smart cameras with motion detection. These devices can trigger lights and send alerts directly to your phone, providing real-time awareness of activity around the home.
- Registering your camera with SPD. Let officers know you have a camera that can help if a crime happens in your neighborhood. Officers will not be able to monitor your footage without your permission.
SPD also suggests managing and tracking your deliveries:
- Track packages and set up alerts. Monitor tracking information so deliveries can be quickly retrieved once delivered.
- When possible, schedule or request delivery at a time when someone will be home.
- Ask a neighbor for help. Coordinate with a trusted neighbor to pick up each other’s packages when away.
Finally, SPD also says you can choose alternate delivery options, such as shipping items to a secure location like a workplace, P.O. box, a store, or any other secure pick-up site. Even a porch lockbox can be useful for carriers to place packages in a secure place…