It is the holiday season, and more delivery trucks will be dropping off packages of all shapes and sizes on doorsteps throughout the Town!
Unfortunately, this also means that porch pirates will be on the prowl to snatch up those packages faster than the Grinch on Christmas Eve.
A study by the research group Security.org showed 21% of California residents had packages vanish from their porches last year.
The Oakland Police Department (OPD) would like to remind our community members of some safety tips on keeping those packages safe!
- Give Delivery Location Instructions
Some delivery companies allow you to submit instructions Online/App for drivers to leave packages at specific locations.
- Use a Package Delivery Box
Instead of deliveries to your residence, you can have them delivered to pick up locations.
- Sign up for delivery alerts.
Most delivery companies allow you to sign up for delivery alerts via text or email so you can track your package in real-time and retrieve it as soon as the delivery person drops it off on your porch – before a Grinch can take it.
- Have packages delivered to your work.
For a more secure delivery option, if possible, have the shipping company send packages to your place of work rather than your home, foiling the plans of a package Grinch.
