Cambridge Police Reminds Online Shoppers of Porch Pirates and Report Any Thefts This Holiday Season

With more and more residents shopping for gifts online leading up to and during the holiday season, the Cambridge Police Department wants to once again remind residents to take precautions when ordering online and having their packages delivered.

The Cambridge Police Department once again expects package thefts to increase this holiday season. This year, the number of reported package thefts from doorsteps and lobbies has increased 47 percent through the first 10 months of 2018 versus the same time frame last year (115 versus 78), while it increased just 6 percent this year versus the first 10 months of 2016.  For a complete geographic breakdown of these thefts in Cambridge in 2018, please see the above graphic.

According to a Nextdoor survey conducted this week by the Cambridge Police Department (taken by more than 250 residents), 30 percent of Cambridge residents have had their packages stolen from their residence. While most online retailers insure and/or reimburse customers in the event of package thefts, the Cambridge Police does want to strongly encourage residents to report any criminal activity, so that they can best understand where and when to deploy their resources and limit this and other crimes. Of those residents that participated in the Nextdoor survey, only four percent reported a theft to the police.

The Cambridge Police are once again taking proactive measures to deter package thefts this season. Using a data driven-approach, officers will be increasing their patrols in the locations and during the times in which a higher volume of thefts have been reported. The Department also wants to remind residents to follow these tips to help protect themselves and their packages: 

• Request the delivery of package(s) via a signature to ensure the package will not be left on the front steps or foyer
• Track your packages online, so you have a better idea when it is scheduled to arrive, and/or sign up for delivery alert notifications.
• With the United States Postal Service delivering packages seven days a week through the holidays, request that your packages arrive on a weekend day, if you plan on being home. 
• If you’re going away to travel, place a hold on your package until you return to keep your parcel safe.
• Have your packages delivered to your work address or to a neighborhood friend or family member who would be home, in the event that you are not.
• Consider installing a security camera or utilizing lockboxes that provide access codes to delivery companies.
• If you’re suspicious or have experienced this type of activity, report it to the Cambridge Police Department immediately by calling 617-349-3300 even if you have reported it to Postal Service.