Package theft on the rise with deliveries
Package theft is on the rise. It’s a phrase that’s been written so many times, reporters frequently don’t even bother to cite a source — and it really is just common sense, corresponding with the massive jump in home deliveries since COVID-19 hit.
There are studies attempting to track and quantify package theft though. Exact numbers are impossible to come by, but groups like C&R Research estimate more than four in 10 people claimed to be victims in 2020, and more than half say they know somebody who is a victim. Both figures are up over the previous year.
One common response is to install a video surveillance system to catch these so-called “porch pirates” in the act so they can be brought to justice. Yet, while DIY security options are improving, installing a doorbell camera and calling it a day may not be the answer.
“These people walk up to buildings, look right up at the cameras and have no care in the world,” said Jim Bucciaglia, vice president of SAH Incorporated, a Shillington-based security company. “It’s fascinating to us.”
Bucciaglia recalled a time five, maybe 10 years ago when even posting a sign that a property was under surveillance was enough to deter most petty larcenies. Based on statistics and anecdotal evidence, however, those who would swipe a parcel off a doorstep are feeling emboldened.
That doesn’t mean security systems don’t work, but if you’re serious about preventing package theft, you may want to consult a professional first.
Do doorbell cameras and DIY surveillance systems work?
It’s hard to say how many package theft crimes go unsolved, especially because, in many cases, the victim might report the missing item to the shipper, not police. Naturally, when you’re able to provide investigators visual evidence of the crime, the odds of catching someone go up.
“I know of a lot of different situations we’ve had, we produce an image of a person, and I’m feeling bad we can’t say, ‘That’s Jim Bucciaglia who lives at this address,’” said Bucciaglia. “But it’s amazing how a lot of times that you give the police something, and it’s like, ‘Oh, that’s John Smith.’ They know people sometimes just from being in the community.”
Social media can be a helpful tool as well. Even citizens who normally keep quiet and mind their own business rather than get involved might be more willing to offer tips when it’s something that could happen to them.
“I love when Exeter Township Police Department posts surveillance pics from Walmart to Facebook, “said Bucciaglia. “They just reached 100,000 people and not soon after they post these pictures, boom, identified.”
The trouble is consumers might be tempted to choose a surveillance system based on how good of a deal it is, which is often the first place people start to run into trouble.
“There’s a lot of self-installs out there from web purchases that do produce a nice image, but then when it gets dark, it’s not that great,” said Bucciaglia. “People just see the price and go, ‘It’s only $295 for 38 cameras!’”
Companies like SAH also will not come out and install a system you’ve purchased through a third-party seller, so if you’re not absolutely certain about a product or your ability to get it up and running, you may not want to go it alone.
Cameras alone may not be enough to stop package theft
The reality is criminals wise up sometimes too, and in a world where everyone’s wearing a mask, it’s easier for them to hide their face, making it impossible to positively ID someone. Even if a person is desperate and doesn’t care enough to do that, there’s no guarantee police will catch them.
So if cameras aren’t a foolproof way to prevent package theft, how do you stop it?
If the thought of your deliveries getting snatched is keeping you up at night — or perhaps more appropriately, having you sitting on pins and needles all day at work — you may want to take the suite of security options to the next level.
“What we’re telling people is if you had our system, you could potentially open up a door to allow the delivery person to put the product in your home, pull the door shut and lock it through our systems,” said Bucciaglia.
Many newer systems give users control over more than just the cameras, alarm, even the doors. Almost everything in the house could theoretically be controlled from your phone, whether you’re right next door or 1,000 miles away.
“The beauty of it is it’s all under one app,” said Bucciaglia. “It can close the door, lock it, open the garage, control the alarm, turn off the lights and even turn down the heat.”
Obviously, these high-tech solutions do not come cheap, especially when professionally installed. Even just for a couple of cameras and surveillance equipment, the cost could climb over $1,000 until you account for labor.
But when you’re talking about home security, it should be done right, plus there’s a level of trust that comes with a Berks County business like SAH that’s been around for a long time.
“We’re a local company coming up on our 33rd year, so it’s not like we’re here today, gone tomorrow,” said Bucciaglia.