Package Thieves Reported in Oak Creek Area

OAK CREEK -- City of Oak Creek officials are warning citizens to be extra careful with any holiday package deliveries over the next week or so, after reports of suspicious activity in the area.

According to city officials, "we have had suspicious activity in Oak Creek and reports from South Milwaukee, where thieves have followed delivery trucks on their routes and stolen the packages after a delivery was made."

Keep your packages safe:

• Track your items when the information is available, to know when they are due to be delivered.
• If you will not be home to receive your package, ask a neighbor to watch for the delivery truck and give them permission to take possession of the item until you return home.
• Avoid letting deliveries sit out in the open on your porch or door steps.
• Ask the delivery company to place items in inconspicuous areas, such as the back door area, or behind fixtures or plantings where they cannot be readily observed from your sidewalk or street views.
• Consider adding a surveillance device to catch deliveries when they occur, so that you can notify a neighbor to help you, or to help catch a thief in the act of taking the parcels.
• Be alert to vehicles that pass by your home several times in a short period of time. Many thieves case the neighborhood before they act.
• Weather is not a factor; don’t believe that the cold will keep thieves away!
• Many people do not hear or see what is happening outside their front door. Be a good neighbor, when a delivery truck stops outside their home, inform them. Ask your neighbors to keep an eye on your property as well!
• Keep your doors locked, even when you are home.

Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to your local Law Enforcement. If you live in Oak Creek use the Police Department non-emergency number– 414-762-8200.

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