Your deliveries are coming, but so are the porch pirates, police warn

It's that time of the holiday season when packages begin to frequent doorsteps, whether they're gifts to give or to keep.

But that also means there's plenty of opportunities for thieves.

Royal Newfoundland Contabulary Const. James Cadigan told CBC News that December is when police generally see a spike in a certain call.

Person after person, he says, report being notified that their postal package has arrived, only to find an empty porch when they get home. Security cameras or neighbours then confirm that a thief got it first.

Sometimes it's a chance encounter, but Cadigan says some thieves increase their chances by following the delivery trucks.

"The delivery driver essentially drops off and leaves, and no more than minutes later, there's somebody taking the item," Cadigan said.

To improve the odds for owners, Cadigan suggests specifying delivery terms with delivery companies, like requiring a signature upon delivery or choosing where the parcel is left.

Another option is to install security cameras like doorbell cameras that can notify the owner of when their package is delivered.

If the package is already gone, Cadigan says the best next thing to do is report the theft to the police.

"It's crucial," he said. "It allows us to appropriately deploy resources and respond to ongoing events in our community."

Sometimes stolen items show up for sale online.

Cadigan says that if the public spots a "deal too good to be true" on social media platforms like Facebook Marketplace, it possible that the items could be stolen. He advises people to ask sellers for proof of purchase to confirm they own the item.

He said it's vital that the community remains involved in preventing thefts and helpful in investigations, from delivery drivers to neighbours.

"Community collaboration is key, and that is where we see our success in these types of investigations," Cadigan said.

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