Package Theft Warning From Morristown Police Amid Holiday Season

MORRISTOWN, NJ — With the holiday season upon us, chances are you'll have a package delivered to your doorstep anytime during the next month, making it a great opportunity for porch pirates to steal unprotected gifts from doorsteps.

The Morristown Police Department has asked residents to be on the lookout for “porch pirates," thieves who steal packages right off doorsteps.

Three out of four Americans had a package swiped in the past 12 months, the security company SafeWise reported earlier this year.

"If you look at the entire U.S. population, that could mean over 119 million stolen packages. But even though fewer people who've ever been a victim of package theft told us porch pirates hit them in the past twelve months, the overall number of people targeted in the past year went up," the report said.

Locally, police say package thefts can be a tricky crime to catch and report. The police have shared some suggestions to protect against theft:

• Shop at reputable websites: Purchase gifts from reputable websites and name-brand online stores.
• Use credit cards: Purchases made with most major credit cards are protected from loss. Contact your card issuer for details.
• Track your packages: Shipping companies offer package tracking alerts by sending you emails or texts so you can follow packages through each and every step of the delivery process.
• Install a home security camera and smart lights: Security cameras are great because they can capture footage you can share with the police. Smart lights are also a great deterrent and you can control them easily. A well-lit home is a safer home.
• Keep your front yard and driveway clean and tidy: Keeping the exterior of your home tidy and clean can discourage thieves.
• Have a backup plan to get packages inside quickly: If you're expecting a package and won't be home to receive it, ask a neighbor, friend, or family member to get it for you. If you expect to be away or traveling during the holidays, ask your neighbor to help by picking up your packages and mail.
• Report stolen packages: If your package is stolen, contact the shipper and then follow up by reporting the stolen package to the police.

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 person offense to as high as a crime of the second degree," according to a Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee statement on the legislation.

Morristown police are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity in their neighborhood to keep their deliveries safe from porch pirates.