Delivery Safety 12/3/20

Due to covid-19 the amount of online shopping has nearly doubled from previous years so be on the lookout for thieves eyeing those packages on your front porch.

'tis the season to be on the lookout for thieves eyeing those packages on your front porch.

Our stephanie poole has a few tips to keep your belongings safe.

She joins us in the studio with more.

Aundrea, due to covid-19 the amount of online shopping has nearly doubled from previous years.

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With high a demand of orders, several boxes will soon appear on the front steps of homes.

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Making sure you receive your package, is one concern officers are weary of.

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Imagine spending hundreds of dollars shopping online.

Your packages are sent to your front door.

However, when you get home, your delivery isn't there... it's been stolen.

Lt.

Andy long with amory police department says reports of theft and fraud grow rapidly during the holiday season.

" those that were barely struggling with a job, they're out and maybe went back to their ways.

It's going to go up because whatever you see in the more populated areas is going to trickle down into the more rural neighborhoods.

You're going to see a rise in it."

Long says cameras and alarm systems have helped homeowners keep their belongings safe.

" last year we were able to catch them thanks to the technology of doorbell ringers.

People have such advanced stuff that people are purchasing for their home security, that's help a-lot on that."

However, not all residents are lucky... in clay county,sheriff eddie scott says thieves are using multiple addresses to steal boxes.

" you have criminals using identity theft, fraud or some type and having packages sent to these houses and then coming to pick them up."

Scott is concerned the amount of deliveries will result in more porch pirates.

" people are not getting out going to stores which i understand that.

It just opens up another avenue for criminals to start stealing right there off the front steps."

That's why officers are encouraging folks to start a neighborhood watch program to report any suspicious activity.

Hiding boxes or communicating with a delivery provider could also lower the chances of the boxes being stolen.

" whether it's the fraud or whether it's the theft of a package, it depends on the dollar amount.

So you have misdemeanor up to the felony.

Suprisingly with prices going up on some goods, you can easily find yourself looking at a felony charge off one small package."

Departments will step up patrol watch during the holiday