Santa Maria police are teaming up with delivery companies to prevent Porch Pirates this holiday season.
On Wednesday, the police department tweeted about a theft prevention operation.
SMPD again working with our delivery companies in preventing “Porch Piracy”, Theft of delivered packages from the front porch. The operation consisted of undercover officers following delivery trucks around our city. More operations to follow. pic.twitter.com/t10UhgmPOX
— Santa Maria Police (@SMPDHQ) December 13, 2018
Undercover officers are following delivery trucks around Santa Maria to catch people who try to steal packages that were delivered to front porches.
Police say there will be more of these operations in the future
Authorities offer the following tips to avoid becoming a victim of package theft:
- Request tracking and delivery alerts when ordering online.
- Choose a shipping option that requires you to sign for the delivery.
- Arrange to have the package shipped to another location, such as your workplace or a friend or relative who will be home.
- Let your neighbors know when a delivery is expected so they can be on the lookout for the package, as well.
- Bring packages indoors quickly to limit exposure to thieves.
- Ask the delivery service to hold the package for customer pick-up at their facility.
- Install home security cameras.
- Sign up for the USPS Informed Delivery service, which allows you to see what’s coming to your mailbox via email, website or app.
