By Maria Salette Ontiveros
Dallas Morning News
Reprinted – by Texas Metro News
With National Package Protection Day last week, Texas emerged as the most vulnerable state.
In a study conducted by The Action Network, Texas has been identified as the state with the highest risk of porch piracy, with a 29.8% probability of package theft.
This result comes just after National Package Protection Day on Wednesday, drawing attention to the issue of package theft across the nation.
The findings indicate that 5% of Texans have reported having a package stolen within the last three months.
Mail is the most susceptible to be stolen followed by Amazon packages, according to the report.
North Carolina ranks as the second-most affected state, with a 14.4% implied probability of porch piracy. Meanwhile, Florida, coming in third, reported a staggering 3,270 cases of theft from residences in the previous year.
“Thieves are well aware of video surveillance and usually hide their faces with hoodies and or hats,” said Steve Jobe, who has been a victim of a porch pirate in the past. “Community collaboration is likely the best we can do moving forward.”
Authorities shared some tips for residents to be aware, remain vigilant and consider implementing protective strategies to mitigate the risks:
Hide your deliveries
Make sure your packages are placed behind bushes or trash carts to keep them out of sight. Lack of visibility is a simple measure but effective to prevent theft.
Require signatures on delivery
Pick for delivery options that require your signature. This ensures that packages aren’t left outside your door.
Community collaboration
Tell your neighbors to be aware of package delivery and arrange for them to pick up the package for you.
Strengthen home surveillance
Having a video doorbell can be a strong option. These devices not only alert you to the arrivals at your house but also record any activity that happens near your doorstep.
Smart scheduling
Consider scheduling your packages to arrive when you or someone else is at home. You can also select to get deliveries sent to your workplace or in-store pickups.
What to do if my package gets stolen?
According to SafeWise, if your package is stolen, contact the retailer — 45% get replacements and 32% refunds.
Alert law enforcement and if available, share any surveillance footage. Ask neighbors if they have surveillance of the incident: 91% captured the thief, and 17% shared the footage.
Some insurance policies cover package theft, and 11% successfully filed claims.
This story, originally published in The Dallas Morning News, is reprinted as part of a collaborative partnership between The Dallas Morning News and Texas Metro News. The partnership seeks to boost coverage of Dallas’ communities of color, particularly in southern Dallas.
