'Tis 'Porch Pirate' Season On North Shore: Police

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Marblehead police are urging residents to take steps to protect their deliveries and to report anything suspicious they see around neighbors' doorsteps amid a rise in thefts as the holiday season begins.

"Well here come the holidays, and with them, criminals," police posted in a message to the community on Monday. "With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror, most of us have turned our sights on holiday purchases.

"Sadly, so too has the criminal element."

Police said they are working with departments across jurisdictional lines and are in contact with large commercial carriers FedEx, UPS, USPS, Amazon and others on ways to secure deliveries but they also gave some advice on how residents can do their part to avoid being a "porch pirate" victim.

"If you know (or have good reason to believe) that you won't be home to receive a delivery, consider having the package delivered to a trusted family member, friend or neighbor who is there to receive the item in hand," police said. "Or perhaps, if your employer will allow it, have it delivered to your place of work where someone will be able to receive it and secure it for you.

"We wholeheartedly agree that nobody should have to go to these lengths but being creative could help to thwart these brazen thefts."

Police said anyone witnessing what they believe may be a case of packaging stealing — or any other crime — should call 911 "so patrols can be sent right into the area."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)