Police warn about package theft due to increase in online shopping
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Every year, the Columbia Police Department prepares for an uptick in package theft from porches and front doors around the holidays. And this year with an increase in online shopping police want you to be even more aware of package theft.
CPD provided these tips for the community to follow:
- Schedule delivery times when you know someone will be home to accept the package
- If you know a package is being delivered have a neighbor, a friend, or family member grab it off your front step
- Have it delivered to someone you know will be home
- If allowed, have the package shipped to your place of employment
- Communicate with the mail provider and have them leave the package out of sight if possible
For those who live in an apartment, CPD recommends a couple extra tips:
- Have packages delivered to an office or clubhouse
- Throw away empty packages
Vipin Porwal, CEO and founder of Smarty, a platform for online shopping, said there has been a significant increase in online shopping and deliveries this year because of the pandemic.
"There are so many packages out there getting delivered, so if you are trying to do last minute shopping, try a different option," Porwal said.
He added there are platforms, including his own, for customers to track packages to know when it will arrive and when it makes it to your doorstep.
Sgt. Clint Sinclair with the police department, said officers have already received calls for package thefts this holiday season. The department did not have exact numbers of how many thefts have occurred as of Wednesday.
"Unfortunately this is something we have to expect every year around the holidays," he said.
Sinclair said, doorbell cameras or house security systems are the best way to catch a package thief -- and if you have footage of theft, make sure to share it with the police department.
