Sharon Police Offer Tips To Deter Porch Pirates

SHARON, MA — ‘Tis the season for being merry, which also, unfortunately, means this is the season for so-called porch pirates. The high volume of deliveries heading into December makes those deliveries vulnerable to theft.

Sharon police have shared some tips from home security expert Emily Ferron on how to protect your packages and make sure they get in the proper hands this holiday season.

One of the most effective ways to prevent package theft is not to let packages sit outside your home for too long. Having your packages delivered elsewhere, such as your place of employment, an Amazon delivery site, P.O. box, or FedEx/UPS location is helpful.

You can request that deliveries require a signature, or subscribe to delivery alerts.

Police advise keeping the area around your front porch clear and visible. This is a burglary prevention tip often shared by police officers as thieves are most likely to strike when they feel there are no sight lines. Police also suggest requesting non-descript packaging that does not indicate where the package is coming from — higher-end stores and websites indicate valuable items that are attractive to thieves.

Residents can also install package lock boxes near mailboxes, outdoor security cameras, video doorbells and home security window or yard signs. While not always preventative, they can be a deterrent or help catch criminals after the fact.