NJ Porch Pirate Season Is Here: See Tips To Protect Your Packages

NEW JERSEY — With few days left until Christmas, 'tis the season for package theft. In other words, porch pirate season.

With many people choosing to shop for presents online, there are bound to be many packages taken from front porch steps and apartment hallways.

In 2020 a record 20 billion parcels were shipped in the U.S. and a 2020 survey of 2,000 consumers by C+R found 43 percent of Americans had a package stolen, according to Yahoo.

Thankfully there are steps each person can take to prevent their goods from being pilfered.

Here is a list of useful tips by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) compiled.

• 1. Try to get the packages as soon as they arrive: While it may seem obvious, it's always good to remember that packages can be tracked. If can't be home at the time it arrives, try to arrange for someone else to pick it up — maybe a family member or a neighbor.
• 2. Have the packages delivered to an alternate location: If there is no option of someone picking up the package during the expected delivery time, consider choosing ship-to-store for many major retailers. Other options include FedEx Delivery Manager, Amazon Hub Counter and self-service Hub Lockers, UPS Access Point Network and USPS Package Intercept.

• 3. Have the sender require a signature for delivery.
• 4. If you go out of town, you can ask USPS to hold your mail and packages at the post office or until you request home delivery. Mail may be held for up to 30 days.
• 5. Check if your courier will take your input in regards to where to leave the package. UPS My Choice, for example, lets you leave instructions about where packages should be left for free.
• 6. Get a door camera for security: Some of them allow you see, hear and speak to anyone who has rung the doorbell. If you catch a thieve in action make sure to save the footage and alert police.
  7. Stay informed and watchful: Social media posts from law enforcement sometimes spotlight porch piracy.

If you've ever experienced porch piracy you might enjoy the experience former NASA engineer and popular youtube Mark Rober conducted after someone stole one of his packages.

Rober spent 11 months custom engineering a device masquerading as a regular package to deliver "relatively harmless karmic justice" to package thieves. Whenever they opened it, a sensor triggered a huge release of glitter and fart spray, while cameras recorded their reaction.

Check out the video here:

Have a news tip, correction or comment? Email catarina.moura@patch.com. Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter here.