Cambridge Police Encourage Residents to Protect Their Packages This Holiday Season

Cambridge Police Encourage Residents to Protect Their Packages This Holiday Season

CAMBRIDGE, MA - In advance of the holiday shopping season, the Cambridge Police Department expects reports of package thefts to increase in the coming weeks, particularly with more residents doing their shopping online.

Through mid-November of the past five years, compared to 2024, there has been an increase in package thefts according to our Crime Analysis Unit. Over the past four years (2020 – 2023), we averaged an additional 46 incidents during the holiday delivery season, which could put the total number of reported package thefts over 300 for the first time.

The number of stolen packages reported to the police is estimated to be much lower than the actual number because package thefts are historically underreported. We talked to one of our detectives who shared a few extra steps you can take this year.

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Package thefts are one of the most common property crimes in the city. Here are additional tips to protect your deliveries.

• Track your packages online, so you have a better idea when it is scheduled to arrive, and/or sign up for delivery alert notifications.
• Request that your packages arrive when/if you plan on being home or request that they are placed in a secure location outside your home.
• If you do need to travel, place a hold on your package until you return to keep your parcel safe.
• Have your packages delivered to your work address if you are not able to be home.
• Consider utilizing "store pickups" or “hub lockers” and pick up your items at your convenience.
• Consider installing a security camera or utilizing lockboxes that provide access codes to delivery companies.
• If you have experienced this type of activity, report it to the Cambridge Police Department by calling 617-349-3300 even if you have reported it to the Postal Service or a delivery company.
• Anyone who sees any suspicious activity, such as a possible suspect trailing a delivery truck route, is strongly encouraged to contact 911 in an emergency or 617-349-3300 for a non-emergency.

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. If you ever have a package stolen from you, please ensure all crimes are reported.