Holiday season means increase in mail theft
SHOREWOOD, Wash. -- It's the busiest shopping season of the year, and police say everyone needs to be extra cautious about thieves.
"Unfortunately, this is the time of year for giving and its also the time of year for some people to be thieving," said Cindi West of the King County Sheriff's Office.
A man and woman were seen Thursday morning stealing packages from a front porch in Shorewood, and West said it's just that type of crime that picks up during the holiday season.
"I'm hearing more and more about this so it's a big concern," she said. "There's no specific neighborhood (being targeted.) It doesn't matter where you live."
Brian Williamson lives in Shorewood and said he's paying extra close attention to his own packages this year.
"I follow the tracking, so I knew it was coming today," he said.
While tracking packages and trying to be home when they arrive cuts down on your chances of being victimized, West said some thieves are just too bold and too quick to stop.
"In the past we've heard that people follow the trucks around, and when the driver leaves they'll go to the porch and steal the items," she said.
Experts say the best way to avoid theft is to insure your packages, follow the tracking number and let a neighbor know when the shipment is expected if you can't be home to accept it. Buyers can also have packages shipped to their office or have them held at the shipping company for pick up.
"Unfortunately, this is the time of year for giving and its also the time of year for some people to be thieving," said Cindi West of the King County Sheriff's Office.
A man and woman were seen Thursday morning stealing packages from a front porch in Shorewood, and West said it's just that type of crime that picks up during the holiday season.
"I'm hearing more and more about this so it's a big concern," she said. "There's no specific neighborhood (being targeted.) It doesn't matter where you live."
Brian Williamson lives in Shorewood and said he's paying extra close attention to his own packages this year.
"I follow the tracking, so I knew it was coming today," he said.
While tracking packages and trying to be home when they arrive cuts down on your chances of being victimized, West said some thieves are just too bold and too quick to stop.
"In the past we've heard that people follow the trucks around, and when the driver leaves they'll go to the porch and steal the items," she said.
Experts say the best way to avoid theft is to insure your packages, follow the tracking number and let a neighbor know when the shipment is expected if you can't be home to accept it. Buyers can also have packages shipped to their office or have them held at the shipping company for pick up.
Time to do an honesty check with the neigbors, I am going to put a box on the porch with a note in it saying smile, you are on camera.... what people don't realize is it is not always strangers from out of town driving around to find packages... it is your neighbors and there kids that see them and the temptation runs strong, smile! someone is always watching!
I loved the UPS guy I had, he would put the package off to the side a bit. I could still see it if I walked onto the porch, but you couldn't see it driving by. Â Seems as if the police could randomly set up a sting following trucks around in particular neighborhoods. Â Now the drivers we have put the package over the fence, out of sight from the street, and with our dogs in yard sign, someone would be foolish to open that gate to grab it.Â
That is why I ship everything to my MIL. Â Someone in that house is pretty much always home.
You know, maybe it's time for them to quit leaving those packages. What I usually get is a slip in the mail to come pick it up. And as far as mail, those big locking mailboxes (our block has 16 on it) are your best defense!