This time of year brings out individuals who are looking for crimes of opportunity as well as those thieves who actually follow delivery trucks and target homes when the delivery is made. Take some precautions and ensure your special delivery does not end up in the hands of a thief. As always, watch for suspicious behavior in your neighborhood, especially if you see a delivery truck making the rounds and a vehicle following behind or unfamiliar subjects on foot and call 9-1-1 if you observe a crime in progress. Here are some more helpful tips:
- A package sitting at a front door for several hours or for several days creates an opportunity for crime.
- Shipping company trucks are obvious so deliveries are hard to miss.
- High dollar items like laptops and other electronics are shipped to homes, especially during the holidays.
- Only have a package delivered if you are going to be at home.
- Consider signing for packages so you know they have arrived.
- If you are expecting a package, check for it throughout the day and bring the package inside immediately.
- Check to see if your shipping company has digital alerts. The alerts tell you of the impending delivery and if that date and time is not convenient, you can reschedule or reroute the package.
- If you are not going to be home or cannot schedule package delivery, have the package delivered to a trusted neighbor’s house or delivered to your work.
- Choose the “pick-up at store” option when available.
- One final option is to ask the shipping company to hold your package for customer pick-up at their local facility.
- If you do not receive your shipment on time, track your package to confirm the delivery.
- If the item was delivered and you did not receive it, report the theft or loss to the originating company, the shipping company, and to the Coronado Police Department.
Source: Coronado Police Services
