Authorities Look to Address Stolen Packages During Holiday Season

Authorities are encouraging area residents to consider how online items are shipped to their location as stolen packages tend to increase during the holiday season.

Fairfield Glade Police Chief Mike Williams says there are several ways people can make sure they receive their packages.

“If you work and your office will allow it, always try to get your packages delivered to your office. That way it’s a secure location and you know you’re the one picking that package up,” Williams says. “Another popular thing that has come up is the use of pickup points. You can use Amazon Lockers in UPS stores, so that’s very popular nowadays.”

Williams says people living in apartments also have options as they may be more susceptible to having delivered items stolen.

“Most of our condominiums and apartments here, the on-duty manager at their office will accept packages for you and notify you that you’ve had a package delivered,” Williams says. “That’s really the best option for apartments and condos.”

Williams says efforts by his police department in addition to advances in technology have helped address the issue of thieves stealing packages.

“We try to combat it by placing unmarked patrol cars behind UPS, Fedex, DHL trucks, education on how to prevent this from happening, as well as technology which has come into play,” Williams says. “A lot of our homes now use home monitoring systems such as the Ring doorbell, where they can actually see who’s on their front porch. We have seen a decrease each year in this type of activity.”

Williams anyone who has a package stolen from their door step should contact local authorities with shipping information and contents of the package handy.