Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Cameras and storage boxes can help protect Salt Lakers from holiday porch pirates.
Urban Living
Posted By Babs De Lay on December 18, 2024, 4:00 AM
According to security.org, online purchases generate about 22 billion packages each year—or more than 60 per person. The website also reports that porch pirates stole $12 billion in packages in the past year, with 58 million Americans having been victims in the past 12 months.
Apartment dwellers experience package theft at double the rate of those who live in homes. And yet, 14% of Americans take no precautions to prevent this kind of theft.
Does installing security cameras help keep the bad ones away?
They can certainly catch the thief's photo, but the image can be blurry or unidentifiable when they hide their face and features. Some pirates won't approach a property where there are visible cameras, whether the cameras are phony or not.
Trust me, the cops are not going to make a priority of investigating your package theft and catching the person who stole from you. But they may be able to bundle your camera's evidence with other robberies in the area that can eventually nail the criminal(s).
If you are planning on sending packages during the current holidays or in the future, use tracking services from UPS, FedX and USPS, and even require a signature upon delivery. There are now safe delivery boxes in our major Utah cities—like the red "Amazon Drop Boxes" you find at many convenience stores—to use as an alternative delivery place for your goods.
It's estimated that the average value of a stolen package is $204 and that 25% of Americans have had a package stolen at least once in their life. Security.org also suggests that nearly $3 billion in e-commerce merchandise was swiped just this past summer, with the West and Northeast having the most packages stolen, and the Midwest proving a safer destination for parcels.
At our home, we opted for a small sign on the ground by the front door mat. It says "Please leave packages in box to the right of the door" and roughly 98% of delivery people follow the instructions. They don't like getting yelled at for missing packages—providing them a place for our deliveries helps them too.
We went to Lowe's and got a three-by-three-by-three-foot garden storage box for tools and hoses with a waterproof lid. It holds plenty and you can't tell if there's anything in it. So far, no pirates have attacked!
If you're headed out shopping, know that the No. 1 crime is theft. Car break-ins suck because they often leave expensive damage like a broken window in the aftermath. Do not leave your car unlocked but, even more important, don't leave valuables in your car. If you have a trunk, use it.
There's nothing worse than coming out of a Jazz game to find your car has been broken into. But thieves know you are gone and can hit in less than a minute. Worse would be having the car stolen, as that crime is also up.
Happy holidays to all. Stay safe and be mindful!
About The Author
Babs De Lay
A full-time broker/owner of Urban Utah Homes and Estates, Babs De Lay serves on the Salt Lake City Historic Landmark Commission. A writer and golfer, you'll find them working as a staff guardian at the Temple at Burning Man each year.
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