Preventing Porch Piracy

With online deliveries being more prevalent than ever these days – and even more than two-billion packages being delivered every December, porch package theft is becoming increasingly common. In this blog entry, the residential security experts here at Green Locksmith will provide some tips as to preventing porch piratry.

  1. Install outdoor CCTV security cameras. Home security cameras operate as both a deterrent to people scoping out your porch for theft, as well as a tactic to help identify any criminals who may have already stolen from you. We recommend smart security cameras that automatically notify your smartphone when unlawful activity is detected.
  2. Install motion activated lighting at the exterior of your property. By installing lights that automatically turn on when motion is detected, you can both deter potential porch theft and scare away thieves already approaching your property.
  3. Smart light systems or simple timers set at intervals can create the illusion that your home is occupied even when you’re at work or on vacation. We recommend installing smart lights or wiring lights into a smart home system that can activate lighting at uneven intervals – or even turn on televisions or music – to create the seamless illusion that you’re at home.
  4. Video doorbells and smart doorbell cameras also operate as a deterrent for anyone considering stealing from your porch. Even seasoned burglars will balk at the risk of stealing a package from homes protected with this savvy form of modern surveillance.
  5. Have packages shipped to FedEx offices, post offices, or delivery lockers. Most modern online shopping retailers offer the option to have packages shipped to secure locations for easy pick-up. This can eliminate the risk of having deliveries stolen from your porch totally.
  6. Buy a lockbox at your home. You can purchase and install porch lockboxes of many sizes to protect packages that are delivered to your home. Delivery people will be given the lockbox combination, so delivery won’t be a hassle at all, and you can rest easy knowing that your packages are protected.
  7. When you order high-end products online, make sure to request nondescript and vague packaging. Packages that signal their contents are more likely to be stolen – namely high end electronics like phones, TVs, or computers – and, of course, fancy jewelry or clothing. A plain cardboard box will seem far less appealing to any potential porch pirates.