With the holidays comes packages delivered to your door, and the Cobourg Police are reminding everyone to be careful of package thefts.
‘Porch pirates’ are individuals who steal packages left by a courier on doorsteps or porches.
Police say it’s most often a crime of opportunity but can be more organized with thieves following delivery trucks on their route.
If you see any suspicious persons or activity, report it to police.
Tips to protect against parcel theft:
• Most companies offer a tracking number. Use it to know when the package is expected to be arriving.
• Arrange to have the package delivered when you are home or ask a trusted neighbour to bring the parcel inside their home when it arrives.
• Have packages delivered to your work (where that is allowed), to a Canada Post office or an authorized shipping centre.
• Install a motion sensor camera or doorbell cameras. Ensure they have adequate storage devices, as well as proper connections to power and internet where required
• Get a ‘safe drop’ or locked mailbox for packages.
• Report suspicious activity to police.
If you have had a parcel stolen or want to report suspicious activity, report online by visiting the Cobourg Police Service website.
Written by Lee McConnell
