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Utah residents have been trying to deter thieves from stealing their real delivery by using fake packages, left either on the front porch or in mailboxes.
This measure was initially proposed by one individual on the Facebook profile pertaining to Daybreak community. The suggestion soon took flight and was adopted by the entire neighborhood, situated in South Jordan, Utah.
Basically, locals have been sticking fake Amazon labels on boxes, which they filled with useless items, such as rocks, old television sets, and shabby clothes. Afterwards, they simply waited for thieves to try and pilfer these supposed parcels, hoping that upon discovering the truth, criminals would be discouraged from attempting to steal again.
As explained by one Kroger Menzer, one of the people who have adopted this strategy, while residents can’t expect to actually catch perpetrators red-handed, or punish them for their misdemeanors, they can at least try to sow confusion and uncertainty among them.
Ideally, when realizing that they only managed to steal objects of no real value, the robbers will no longer visit that house again, so as not to suffer another humiliating defeat.
Some locals are even hopeful that the discarded items will eventually reach underprivileged people, who might find them useful after all.
Aside from implementing this clever ruse in anticipation of the winter holidays, Daybreak inhabitants have also installed outdoor surveillance and security cameras.
The purpose is to ensure that whenever such an incident occurs the suspect’s identity can be quickly discovered, either by actually capturing his face on camera or by spotting the license plate of his getaway car. This way, the burglar will be immediately brought to justice, before committing more serious offences.
As Christmas is swiftly approaching, it’s likely that a growing number of people are being swept away by the holiday shopping frenzy.
Given that so many packages are being delivered these days, and many of them are simply placed on the front steps by couriers in a rush, thieves have been having a ball, taking advantage of this incredibly easy source of money.
For instance, in the Timberlake Subdivision located in Halls-Knoxville, Tennessee, burglars have been raiding the neighborhood, taking numerous Christmas gifts, and leaving behind just empty boxes.
Some people have actually been robbed twice already, and certain stolen items were quite pricey, such as 50-inch TV set, which resident Jennifer McCurry was supposed to receive from her mother.
The driver of the delivery truck simply discarded the parcel on McCurry’s front porch, despite not being in contact with the woman who was away from her house at the time. As a result, when the intended recipient returned, she discovered that a thief had been swifter than her at retrieving the item.
Everyone waiting for holiday packages to be shipped at their house can exposed to such risks, which is why authorities have issued a few safety guidelines well worth taking into account at this time of the year.
For instance, upon making online purchases, buyers should specify that a signature would have to be provided so as to authorize the release of the parcel.
Another solution is to employ tracking apps and take into account the estimated time when the package will be shipped, in order to ensure that someone will be present then.
If the intended recipient has a tight schedule and can’t actually be home so as to take the package, a close friend or a neighbor could be assigned with this task.
Alternatively the item could be shipped at work, picked up from a local shop if it was ordered from a store chain, or kept at the delivery center until the recipient can collect it.
Image Source: Flickr
