Windows Smashed On Black Friday In Braintree

BRAINTREE, MA — The holiday season brings out the best in some, and the worst in others.

Braintree police are reminding residents that, as people are ordering more and expecting deliveries, there are some keeping an eye on your doorstep.

"Now that it’s the season of 1,000 Amazon drivers dropping packages at your doorstep, it’s time for a friendly reminder," police said. "Please secure your packages in a timely manner or have a trusted neighbor grab them for you."

Police noted that there haven't been any reports of packages stolen off of doorsteps, but there were "numerous" car windows smashed during Black Friday when shoppers had dropped items off in their car before going to another store.

"Their cars were being targeted by thieves who were watching the parking lot," police said.

A recent study published by Credit Karma found that 43 percent of Americans who do holiday shopping online have experienced package theft.

Some 35 percent of people were unable to get their money back after a package theft, the study found, noting that financial loss for nearly half of those people ranged from $100 to $299.