Porch theft is a growing concern as we continue online holiday shopping
News Channel 3 is preparing valley residents for a big rush of packages being dropped off this holiday season and ways to protect your stuff when you are away from home.
In the city of Palm Springs, in the past, they have used bait operations but can't release when they will be doing it again. In Indio, the police department representative says the biggest jump in porch pirate theft was following Covid-19. He says people were home, so the crime was down, but moving out of COVID-19, there was a jump in cases nationally. News Channel 3 contacted the valley cities to see how they educate their community about protecting their packages this holiday season.
Tips to discourage package theft:
The first step is to cut out the porch aspect altogether. It would be best if you considered having your important packages sent to your local UPS store, FedEx store, or Amazon Locker. Incorporating a safe dropoff point will relieve you and ease your mind that your package will be secure and sound no matter how long you're away from home.
UPS Store: Look up a UPS Access Point near you, then have your package sent to that location, and you'll be notified when it arrives. Bring a government-issued ID with you when picking up.
FedEx store: Use FedEx Hold for Pickup to reroute a package delivered to a FedEx office location instead. Bring a government-issued ID with you when picking up.
Amazon Locker: Look for available Amazon Locker locations on your Amazon checkout page. Once the package is delivered, you'll receive a code that you can use to open the locker and retrieve your package.
Statement from PSPD:
As we approach the holiday season, PSPD wants to emphasize the importance of safeguarding your packages from theft. We encourage residents to play an active role in protecting their deliveries by promptly bringing them indoors. Additionally, consider installing a video doorbell or camera for added security.
To further enhance the safety of your packages, you can opt-in for delivery alerts and tracking. Utilizing a secure dropbox or requiring a signature for deliveries are also effective safety measures. Alternatively, you can choose to have your packages sent to a secure location, other than your residence.
In the unfortunate event that you suspect package theft, we urge you to report the incident to the police department promptly. While sharing concerns on platforms like the Ring Video Doorbell app or social media is common, timely reporting to law enforcement allows us to respond swiftly and investigate potential thefts thoroughly.
Let's work together to ensure a secure and joyful holiday season for everyone.
Desert Hot Springs social media link: (They did not share a specific time when they will notify their residents on how they can protect their packages but want people to follow their site for all holiday updates).
