With top doctors and politicians urging people to stay home during the pandemic, it means many are ordering packages online.
That also opens the door for these delivered packages to be stolen right off the doorstep.
These thieves or ‘porch pirates’ are a reality in Regina. Police Chief Evan Bray confirmed this type of theft is common. Christmas only exacerbates it.
Bray offered a few tips on how to prevent this from happening.
“You can have your order shipped to your workplace. Maybe you’ve got a neighbour or a family member who could be there to accept it or you could have it shipped to their home if they’re home all the time,” he explained.
Normally, he said police tell people to ensure they get a signature from whichever company they’re ordering through before the parcel is dropped off and left. However, Bray said COVID-19 has put a kink in that. He said a lot companies are resistant to having that contact and will just leave the package.
The other option, even though it may not prevent packages from being stolen, is to install a doorbell camera. Bray said at least if a package does get taken, camera footage could help identify the thief and prevent them from coming back.
Keeping an eye on the street, the old neighbourhood watch mentality as Bray described it, can go a long way as well. That is, knowing who your neighbours are and watching out for them when they go to work may cut down on parcels, gifts and, ultimately, Christmas from being stolen.
“If you see something suspicious, don’t be afraid to report it,” said Bray.