Tips to avoid being the victim of a porch pirate

As the holiday shopping season reaches its peak, Franklin County police chiefs are offering tips to avoid becoming the victim of porch pirates.

Each year, police agencies handle reports of packages being stolen from front porches after they are delivered.

Whitehall police Chief Mike Crispen, the president of the Franklin County Chiefs Association, put out a list of tips to avoid such thefts this holiday season.

Crispen said customers should strongly consider using Amazon’s locker delivery services, as well as similar options through other retailers and delivery services. These options allow for packages to be delivered to a secure location and accessed by the customer when they are available to pick it up.

h Take advantage of services like Amazon’s locker delivery or other similar options through other retailers or delivery services. These options allow for customers to pick up packages at a secure location at a time convenient to them.

h Use curbside or store pickup options instead of having a package delivered to your home, if possible.

h If possible, consider getting packages delivered to your work address.

h For packages being delivered to your home, work with trusted neighbors or relatives to ensure someone is available to get a package off your porch when it is delivered. The longer a package sits on a porch, the more susceptible it becomes to thieves.

h Other options for porch delivery include having a concealed area where a package can be placed that is not easily visible.

h Consider a security camera or doorbell that will alert you if someone approaches your front door.

h If possible, require a signature for delivery, particularly for items of considerable value.

h Subscribe to delivery updates through the retailer or carrier to track when your package is scheduled to arrive.

Crispen said Franklin County law enforcement agencies are going to be targeting porch pirates in December. Police are asking carriers and delivery drivers to call law enforcement and report if they see someone following them along their route. Police are also asking packages be placed in less visible locations. bbruner@dispatch.com @bethany_bruner

ANTHONY SOUFFLE/TNS Each year, police agencies handle reports of packages being stolen from front porches after they are delivered.