How to protect your deliveries

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — As the holiday season approaches, the risk of package theft increases as millions of people order gifts online; The United States Postal Inspection Service urges residents to be vigilant with their deliveries.

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service always encourages customers to leave any type of package for an extended period of time,” said Miguel Arispe, a U.S. postal inspector. “During the holiday season, we see a greater increase in package thefts from porches.”

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Arispe advised customers to remain vigilant and maintain communication with senders when expecting packages.

“Customers stay vigilant out there. Always be aware of your surroundings. If you are expecting a package from a known person or family member, always stay in touch with them,” Arispe said.

Videos circulating online from therealfitfamelpaso’s Instagram account show several incidents in which porch pirates have stolen packages, Christmas decorations and even a bicycle from front doors.

El Paso police recommend several measures to prevent such thefts in a statement below:

As the holiday season approaches, El Paso Police want to remind residents to take precautions to prevent package thefts. Unfortunately, porch piracy is common this time of year, but with a few simple steps you can protect your items and reduce the risk of theft.

Here are some helpful tips:

Schedule deliveries: If possible, plan for packages to arrive when someone is home to receive them.

• Use package lockers or pickup centers: Many carriers offer secure options for picking up packages at nearby locations.
• Install surveillance cameras: Visible cameras can deter thieves and help identify perpetrators in the event of theft. This helps the investigator in the case.
• Ask a neighbor for help: Have a trusted neighbor pick up your packages if you are not home.
• Use smart doorbell systems: With a video doorbell you can monitor deliveries in real time.”

Similarly, Amazon released a statement to help customers who have been victims of mail theft.

While the vast majority of deliveries reach customers without any issues, when issues arise we work directly with customers to resolve the issue. There are various ways customers can keep track of the status of their orders and we offer a range of delivery options to ensure their packages arrive as expected. Amazon customer service is available 24/7 to help you with any delivery-related questions.

• Amazon’s map tracking feature allows customers to track the progress of their delivery in real time in the app when the driver is nearby.
• Photo-on-Delivery provides visual delivery confirmation that a customer’s package has been safely delivered.
• Prime members can select a specific day for their packages to be delivered weekly. This allows you to conveniently choose when and how packages arrive at your doorstep.
• For added security and convenience, Amazon has a network of more than 25,000 package pickup locations across the country.”

Arispe also advised victims of mail theft to report incidents to local police and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

“So if you believe you are a victim of mail theft, report it to your local police. Also file a report with the postal inspection,” Arispe said.

If you believe your mail has been stolen, you should report it to your local police and postal inspection service by calling their hotline at (877) 876-2455 or visiting our website at www.uspis.gov/report.

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Some residents have taken extra measures to deter thefts by setting up outdoor cameras or leaving specific instructions for delivery workers.

However, one resident noted, “If you could leave instructions for the shipper, sometimes they listen, sometimes they don’t.”

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