Protect Your Packages From 'Porch Pirates' This Holiday Season In Long Valley

LONG VALLEY, NJ — Whether you're in the holiday spirit or not, now is the ideal time for porch pirates to steal unprotected packages off doorsteps as deliveries begin to arrive ahead of Black Friday and the holiday season.

Around 79 percent of Americans have been a victim of package theft throughout the United States in 2022, the security company SafeWise reported earlier this year.

Locally, police say package thefts are a tricky crime to catch and report.

"A lot depends on the layout of the property and where the delivery person places the packages. If the delivery person leaves the packages at the roadway they may possibly be stolen. Also, many people leave their homes for work which makes it difficult to report the theft. They usually won’t know the package is gone until they get the delivery confirmation and the package is not there," Lt. Mark Niemynski said.

A New Jersey porch pirate can now face three to five years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both for package snatching. Package theft was previously "graded as low as a disorderly persons offense to as high as a crime of the second degree," according to a Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee statement on the legislation.

Using data from the FBI's Crime Data Explorer, the home services marketplace Porch discovered that burglaries in America peak during the holiday season in New Jersey. The number of burglaries in the Garden State in December is 59 percent higher than in any other month, the highest increase among all states.

Prevention Tips

Lt. Niemynski recommended using electronic devices with security, such as the Ring doorbell, as well as remaining vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity in your neighborhood, to keep your deliveries safe from porch pirates.

"Sometimes what someone sees which is suspicious in their neighborhood, may deter or stop crimes from occurring," Lt. Niemynski said.

Here are an additional five tips to help prevent package thefts:

• Try curbside pickup: Drive to the store; most of them offer curbside pickup options.
• Use a post office box: This will ensure the package is handled by a professional at the post office.
• Video surveillance: Doorbell cameras such as Ring can allow homeowners to scare away the thief in real time.
• Require a signature: This way, the package cannot go unattended.
• Have it sent to your workplace: Public places typically have a greater chance of using security cameras.