Newark Police Installing Amazon Lockers To Combat Package Thefts

NEWARK, NJ — Newark police are planning to install Amazon lockers in all precincts throughout the city in an attempt to provide protection against package thefts.

On Thursday, the Newark Department of Public Safety announced that Amazon lockers have been installed at two precincts, with plans to expand to the rest of the city.

Currently, there are lockers at the following locations:

• 5th Precinct, located at 480 Clinton Avenue (South Ward)
• 6th Precinct, located at 491 Irvington Avenue (West Ward)

Not familiar with the tech? Here’s how it works, police said:

“When a package is delivered to the assigned locker, the recipient will receive a secure access code from Amazon via email. The code will be entered at the locker’s terminal when the recipient arrives to retrieve the package. If a package is left in the locker for more than three days, it will be removed by Amazon to make room for new deliveries. Customers whose items are removed by Amazon will receive full refunds from the retailer for their non-retrieved items.”

“The location of Amazon lockers at Newark police precincts is designed to provide added peace of mind to our residents who may not be at home when an ordered package arrives,” Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda said.

“Online shopping with package delivery has become such a common practice that assisting our neighbors to secure their property is an important step in our ongoing work to reduce crime,” Miranda said.

“Our goal is to offer Amazon lockers at all Newark police precincts,” Miranda added.

“Although we thoroughly investigate every package theft that occurs in Newark, offering residents a safe alternative location where their packages can be delivered is a win-win for Newark police and our residents,” Chief of Police Sharonda Morris agreed.

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