Police are already reporting an increase in the number of holiday package thefts from the doorsteps and mailboxes of residents.
Mt. Laurel Police are reporting an upswing in the number of reports regarding delivery packages being stolen from mailboxes and doorsteps.
Deputy Chief Stephen Riedener said theft of delivery packages is typical for this time of year due to the increase in the number delivers for the holiday season.
With that in mind, Riedener said he and the department are warning the public to be on the lookout for suspicious activity and prevent thefts before they occur.
“It’s a very difficult crime to catch somebody in the act without a witness or videotape where you can put that person in the spot of taking the box or package,” Riedener said.
On Dec. 13, police reported a package was stolen from the front porch of a residence on the 900 block of Harwood Court around 11 a.m. Later that evening, the investigation led to the arrest of a man also living in Harwood Court.
Riedener said residents who live in more densely populated areas, such as Harwood Court, with townhouses and condominiums, should also be aware of the potential for strangers who live nearby.
“If you have a large concentration of people where you may not know your neighbors as well as if you lived in a single residence development, it’s easier for someone who lives just a few buildings down to drop by, take a package and walk away,” Riedener said.
For those who see anyone acting suspiciously, they are asked to call the police non-emergency number at (856) 234–8300.
Residents are asked to provide as much information as possible, such as license plate numbers, vehicle descriptions, descriptions of suspicious individuals and the last direction of travel.
“Quite often, people hesitate to call us when they see suspicious activity, but in a crime like this where people know their neighbors and their regular activity, they can be key witnesses,” Riedener said.
In addition to reporting suspicious activity, the department has released the following safety tips to help keep holiday package deliveries safe:
• Have packages delivered to a location where someone can receive them in person, such as a neighbor or relative who is usually at home, or a workplace if an employer allows.
• Encourage neighbors to watch for deliveries and agree to secure each other’s packages. This includes being watchful for any person who is going onto porches for no apparent reason, or who is following delivery trucks around.
• Ask the shipper to hold a package at their facility, as most will offer this service.
• Track deliveries online, or look into receiving a text notification to a cell phone when a package has been delivered, as many companies offer these services.
• Request a signature confirmation of delivery and arrange to be there to sign for the package. This is especially useful to consider for expensive, desirable or irreplaceable items.
• Insure valuable items.
• Provide delivery instructions. If packages will be left when a receiver is not at home, try to have them left out of sight from the street.
