Local Police Warn of Package Thefts As Holiday Season Begins

PHOENIXVILLE, PA -- Phoenixville police are warning residents of package thieves as the holiday season gets underway.

Packages are often delivered when no one is home, and when left on porches, in driveways, at apartment doors, and in mailboxes, become "easy targets" according to police.

About half of all 2015 holiday shopping was done online, officials estimate. Police cited a report from insuranceQuotes.com which estimated 23 million Americans have had packages stolen from their homes.

To limit package thefts, authorities have provided several tips:

• Install cameras on the outside of the home.

• Put inside lights and radios on timers, to give the appearance someone is home.

• Empty trash cans are a clear signal that no one is home. Ask a neighbor to return the empty cans to a designated area.

• Request a specific drop-off time and date.

• Sign up for alerts through the delivery service alerting you to when your package is delivered.

• If you know the date and approximate time of a package delivery, ask a neighbor to pick it up for you.

• Have packages delivered to a local UPS Store.

• Make use of modern technology. There are multiple smartphone applications that allow packages to be tracked.

• Call 9-1-1 if you see something strange and report the tip to authorities with as much detail as possible.

Patch file photo.