'Porch Pirates' In Annapolis Bring Package Theft Reminders

ANNAPOLIS, MD — While online purchases are delivered year-round, the binge of holiday shopping means more opportunities for thieves to swipe purchases left on doorsteps. Annapolis Police handled a case of package theft last week. A resident in the 100 block of Spa Drive reported that on Nov. 15 a package delivered to the front porch of the home was stolen after it was delivered. And on Edgewood Green Court a package was stolen after it was delivered to the front step of the home on Nov. 13.

The victims were apparently hit by so-called porch pirates, who prowl around neighborhoods during the holiday season waiting to pounce. In a move also dubbed by police as "front porch shopping," observant thieves will follow delivery trucks and steal recently delivered packages from porches and stoops.

To help safeguard online sales, you can also arrange to meet at any Anne Arundel County Police station to finalize Craigslist or other sales. (See the addresses below.)

Police and security experts have shared some reminders on how to thwart "porch pirates" and ensure you receive your packages

• If possible, have your package delivered to a location where it can be received by a trusted person.
• Request that the shipper holds the package at their facility for pickup.
• Track deliveries online and confirm delivery has occurred.
• Insure valuable items.
• Provide delivery instructions so packages are left out of sight from the street.
• Watch out for vehicles following delivery vans through neighborhoods. Some thieves will simply shadow deliver drivers and go from house to house stealing newly delivered packages.
• When sending packages, take them to a post office or other shipping facility rather than leaving them outside your home for pickup. Let the person you are sending the package to know to expect the package.
• Show off your home security system; make sure you have a sign in the front yard. If you have security cameras, make sure potential thieves know they're there, and if you have a doorbell camera, use it.
• Sign up for email notifications from FedEx, UPS and businesses like Amazon and Urban Outfitters to track your package from initial shipment to its arrival at your home or the recipient's address if you have the gift delivered directly.

The Transaction Safe Place program offered by the Anne Arundel County Police Department offers a way for residents to finalize sales made through online sites such as Craigslist, online yard sales on Facebook, and the Let It Go app, among others. Buyers and sellers may use any of the county's four district locations, as well as headquarters, as a safe place to meet and handle their sales. The use of the front parking lot and/or lobby provides a safe, public place, to meet yet serves as a deterrent for criminals, authorities said.

The Transaction Safe Place can be used at any of the following locations and times.

• Police Headquarters, 8495 Veterans Highway, Millersville; (Monday-Friday 8:00 am- 4:00 pm)
• Northern District, 939 Hammonds Lane, Baltimore; (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• Eastern District, 204 Pasadena Road, Pasadena; (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• Western District, 8273 Telegraph Road, Odenton; (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• Southern District, 35 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater; (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

»Patch file photo courtesy of UPS