Package Thefts In Davidson: Porch Pirates Lurk During Holidays

DAVIDSON, NC— As consumer buying habits shift to online shopping, porch pirates in the Davidson area are lurking, ready to pounce on holiday and other packages left at the door by delivery services. A new report shows 36 percent of Americans had a package stolen at least once in the past 12 months.

“The holiday season brings many good things to residents and businesses in Davidson, but it is also the time of year when we see increases in crime,” Davidson Police Chief Penny Dunn told Patch. “This year is no different with some of the common methods of attempts to separate individuals from their property.”

In Davidson, the current crime trends include phone scams using a cloned phone number where a person claiming to be a police officer demands payment for a fictiuous fine with a gift card. Police have also receiving reports of magazine sale scams, stolen packages and thefts from unsecured vehicles, Dunn said.

There is one speck of good news regarding package thefts from homes, Dunn said.

“This type of crime has trended down with the doorbell security systems notifying homeowners of someone at their residence, but they still occur. Report any suspicious activities you see in your neighborhood to help us prevent thefts.”

Here are some tips from Davidson Police Department for the holiday season:

• Be aware of your surroundings – When leaving stores, ATM’s, and in public areas be aware of your surroundings and ask for an escort if you believe there is a potential threat.
• Stay off your phone while walking in parking lots, parking garages and when crossing streets.
• Report crimes no matter the belief they may be minor in nature. Often crimes are solved from involvement and evidence gathered from surrounding incidents.

The holidays are prime time for porch pirates.

A recent report by the Chicago-based market research company C+R Research found 92 percent of 2,000 people surveyed expect to get at least one online order delivered to their home this holiday season, and nearly half said they're worried their packages will be stolen. Some 42 percent said they won't buy expensive items online, and 32 percent said they'll do their shopping at brick-and-mortar stores.

The survey revealed that consumers who shopped online at least once during the past 12 months spent an average of $222.

Nearly half of them (44 percent) receive some type of package once a week; and, on average, survey respondents said they get about 45 packages delivered to their home each year. That number is slightly higher — 51 — for Amazon Prime members.

Of those who said their packages were stolen, 56 percent reported a single theft, 22 percent reported two thefts, 10 percent reported three thefts, 3 percent reported four thefts and 9 percent reported five thefts.

The majority of theft victims — 83 percent — said they contacted the seller, and 13 percent reported the theft to authorities. Nearly three-fourths of those who said their packages were stolen reported getting a refund, but those who didn't spent an average of $109 to replace the pirated good, the survey showed.

The porch pirates usually get away with it. Only 11 percent said the culprits were caught.
Many of those whose packages were stolen took preventative measures, spending an average of $191. One-quarter of people whose packages were stolen installed some type of doorbell camera that records activity at their front doors and allows them to monitor what's going on remotely.

Another 19 percent installed some other surveillance camera, 17 percent installed motion lights, 10 percent got a dog, 5 percent installed a fence or gate and 4 percent purchased an Amazon smart key, according to the survey.

Despite the availability of security measures such as doorbell cameras, 44 percent of respondents said delivery companies aren't doing enough to prevent package thefts.
That's causing some to rethink their online buying habits. The survey showed 42 percent said they avoid buying certain types of items online, and 54 percent fear their online purchases will be stolen.
And although the thought of having a stranger enter their homes is concerning, nearly a quarter of survey respondents said they would prefer packages be left inside the home. About half of online shoppers say they'll make sure they're home when their packages are delivered, and 26 percent will choose an option that requires a signature for delivery.

Another 31 percent plan to pick up their packages at a physical store, 14 percent will have them delivered to their workplaces, and 12 percent will have them delivered to a friend or relative.