Package Thefts In Pasco: Porch Pirates Lurk As Holidays Approach

PASCO COUNTY, FL — The brazen daylight theft of packages by a porch pirate at a home in Tampa Monday indicates just how insidious this crime has become during the holidays.

Surveillance video shows a man nonchalantly approaching the front door of the home, grabbing the packages and fleeing to a waiting car.

Package thefts are a growing problem as consumer shopping habits shift online. With so many gifts being ordered online, the holidays, especially, have become open season for porch pirates looking to swipe packages.

A new report shows 36 percent of Americans had a package stolen at least once in the past 12 months.

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.

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office suggests residents follow this tips to prevent a porch pirate from making off with their holiday gifts this year:

• Request a specific delivery date and time from the shipper when you know you will be home.
• Have packages delivered to a place where they can be received in person, such as the home of a trusted neighbor, who is home during the day.
• Request the shipper hold your package at its pick-up facility so you can pick it up in person at your convenience.
• Provide delivery instructions to the shipper so that packages can be left at a safe location at your home that's not visible from the street.
• If your employer will allow it, have packages delivered to your place of work.
• Consider a visible surveillance camera and a security company sign near the front door.

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.

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.