How To Protect Deliveries from Porch Pirates?

time to read article 3 minutes

article date Dec 18, 2020

With ecommerce soaring in 2020, the opportunities for front porch package theft soared, too. If you are a property manager, consider these tips from our panel of professionals to foil those porch pirates and help your residents feel more secure.

John Romito

John Romito, Founder and Licensed Real Estate Agent at Heart & Home Real Estate.

Taking appropriate action

Porch piracy is rising, despite the prevalence of so many people being on the premises more due to COVID-19 distancing measures. Among multi-family communities, once people lose faith in the security of packages left on their doorstep, those people will soon leave that community.

It is in the interest of the property manager, then, to take action and tighten security measures across the community. Review all video logs, and take appropriate action, whether that is more or different security contractors, more cameras, or changes in how packages are received and handled within the community. The worst thing to do is nothing at all.

Ethan Taub

Ethan Taub, CEO of Loanry.

Doorbell cameras

The best way to keep properties safe from porch pirates is to install a camera that you can catch them with. Most doorbell cameras are two way now, perfect for you to ask them what they are doing on the property before they leave with your package. The camera on the door should deter them enough, but then you have that added security of being able to talk with them and let them know they are on camera.

Paul Cornell

Paul Cornell, Owner of Action Junk Removal

Clubhouse as space for package delivery

We help many apartment complexes and have heard many property managers talk about the problem of porch pirates. Many don't do anything. Some suggest to their tenants that they require signatures on delivery.

The most effective way I've seen property managers prevent package theft is to offer their clubhouse as space for package delivery. They will call, text, email tenants after a few days if they do not pick up the package(s). It is more work, but it's effective and shows they care.

Emily Deaton

Emily Deaton, Financial Journalist at LetMeBank.

Lockbox

A lockbox for your parcels will make sure that your packages are not stolen any more by porch pirates. You can give the lockbox code to the delivery drivers so that they can place the parcels inside instead of leaving them on the porch. Changing the passcode every so often will also mean nobody can come back and open the box, or if a pirate overhears the code, they cannot come back at a later time to retrieve the packages.

Rick Musson

Rick Musson is a consultant with USInsuranceAgents.com. He is a 19-year law enforcement officer with experience in home security and property protection.

With alternative delivery methods

One of the best ways to help your property residents protect themselves is to educate them on alternative delivery methods. Amazon Hub Lockers, for example, store delivered merchandise securely until the rightful recipient retrieves it with a secure passcode.

In-store delivery is another more secure delivery method where the retailer ships the merchandise to the retail store of the customer’s choosing and then notifies the customer when the item is ready for pickup. Residents should also consider having packages delivered to friends or trustworthy neighbors that they know will be home when the package arrives. They should confirm that this is OK with the person listed on the delivery before using this method.

Amazon Key is another delivery method that allows delivery persons to place the package in the recipient’s car if it’s compatible. Property managers cannot assume responsibility for stolen packages, but they can help those living in their properties mitigate the risk.

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