North Shore Porch Pirate Warnings For Those Cyber Monday Deliveries

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Cyber Monday is a day for online deal seekers to score big savings each holiday season.

North Shore police departments want to make sure, however, that all those deliveries get into the hands of the rightful purchaser and do not fall victim to porch pirates.

The Swampscott Police Department is among those asking residents to be vigilant as packages start to arrive and to keep an eye out for common calling cards for doorstep thieves.

"Residents are urged to use caution when having presents delivered for the holiday season," Swampscott police said in a letter to the community. "Packages left unattended on the front steps of a property can be easily taken."

Police suggest considering alternative methods to guarantee safe delivery — including requiring a signature for delivery, delivering to a PO Box, delivering to a place of employment or arranging with neighbors to take in packages if they see any on the stoop.

Common porch pirate techniques include cruising around neighborhoods looking for unattended packages on doorsteps, following delivery trucks with an eye toward more lucrative packages, and raiding entire neighborhoods during a stealing spree.

Swampscott residents who see suspicious activity are asked to contact police at 781-595-1111 or 911, while residents of other North Shore cities and towns can call their individual police departments.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)