Package Thefts In Manassas: Holidays Bring Porch Pirates

MANASSAS, VA — As consumer buying habits shift to online shopping, porch pirates in Manassas are lurking, ready to pounce on holiday and other packages left at the door by delivery services. A new report shows 36 percent of Americans had a package stolen at least once in the past 12 months.

The holidays are prime time for porch pirates. The number of drivers delivering boxes and packages in neighborhoods will be picking up in the next couple weeks, especially with Cyber Monday sales in 2019 reaching new records. FedEx hauled more than 33 million packages Dec. 2, and UPS expects to move more than 32 million goods per day between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The city of Manassas had seen a rise in the theft of packages but is noticing a reversal in that trend in 2019. "Package thefts do occur in the area, especially during the holiday season as many residents do their shopping online," Manassas City Police Department spokewoman Sarah Maroney told Patch.

Maroney said the city has "actually seen a decrease in package thefts" during this holiday season. In 2019, package thefts in November and so far in December in Manassas have decreased compared to the thefts reported during those two months last year, she said.

For its residents, the Manassas police department has recommended they try to have packages sent to a location where someone will be there to receive it. Residents should see if their employer will allow packages delivered to their place of work. Also, residents should consider asking a trusted neighbor or friend to collect it when it arrives. When sending a package to someone, people also can request a signature be required for delivery.

Manassas residents should report any package theft's to police department's non-emergency line at 703-257-8000.

A recent report by 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.
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.

And 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.