It’s that time of year again for package thefts! Opportunistic thieves couldn’t be more excited as they eagerly wait to see what Mail Santa will bring them this holiday season. Unlike the rest of us, they look for their presents not under the Christmas tree, but on your porch! You could leave a cup of milk and some cookies out for them, of course, warmly inviting porch pirates to leave your home with a supply of goodies in tow. However, most package thieves would ultimately prefer to avoid trouble with the law. Instead, package thieves will go for low-hanging fruit and skip your home if you have security measures in place. What simple steps can (nearly) everyone take immediately to begin preventing porch pirates?
Preventing Porch Pirates and Package Thieves
What additional, more spendy, options should you look into if your mail worker frequently brings the kind of bumper crop that you definitely don’t want falling into the wrong hands?
Low-tech porch pirate deterrents
Apart from simply being home when a package is due to arrive — easier now that more of us are working from home — you also have some other low-tech “security options” for preventing porch pirates and package theft. These all involve simply making sure that your porch won’t have packages to poach. You could have packages delivered to your work address, ask a retired neighbor who’s always home to accept your deliveries or have your packages dropped off at the home of a relative or friend. Another option is to ask your post office to hold onto your packages until you come to pick them up, or to use an Amazon locker.
(You may also ask your delivery service or delivery person to leave your packages in a place that’s slightly more covert than your front door. However, do know that package thieves may scout your neighborhood for a long time. Porch pirates might watch from their car to see where delivery drivers leave packages. If the package is still accessible fairly easily, a thief can still find it!)
High-tech solutions that will help keep package thieves away
An Amazon Doorbell camera may seem slightly less appealing now that some have caught fire. However, if you trust the company, you could definitely consider Amazon Key. Amazon key allows your packages to be delivered straight to your home, trunk, or garage.
Boxlock is another very cool option. This allows any mail carrier to place your package in a securely locked mailbox, with a padlock that will only open for packages it knows you’re expecting because it’s equipped with a smart system. Package thieves will think twice about trying to break a Boxlock open!
Finally, installing a home security camera is a fairly low-cost option nowadays. Many local police departments will allow you to register your home security system camera. Not only will this allow law enforcement to identify any porch pirates that do brave the risk more easily, but obviously placed wired or wireless security cameras will also go some way toward sending the message that your home isn’t an easy target.
Porch pirates might be getting more reckless, but the ways to stop them are evolving too! Remember — any steps you take to let them know they’re not welcome to your bounty will work better than none at all.
Carl Jarl Locksmiths in Omaha | Residential and Commercial Safe Installation and Service In Omaha
Carl Jarl Locksmiths can help protect your commercial business assets by providing panic bars and exit locks, card access systems and much more. We stand behind every lock we install and provide around-the-clock service, making sure your business is always protected.
Always use the services of a trusted local Locksmith/Home Security Company. Carl Jarl Locksmiths offers products and services to make your home safe and secure. Your Security is our top priority.
- We are licensed, bonded, and insured
- Provide immediate response
- We have a 24-hour locksmith dispatch center
- All our employees are background checked, wear uniforms, and arrive in our own identifiable service vehicles
Choose experience and peace of mind. Carl Jarl Locksmith’s prompt and dependable Locksmith Service is just a phone call away.
