Preventing package theft | Redmond Police Department Guest Column

Published 9:30 am Thursday, December 1, 2016

With the holidays upon us and people beginning to order presents from online companies, the Redmond Police Department offers the following tips to prevent package theft:

Packages that are delivered and left unattended are easy targets for criminals. These thefts commonly occur during normal working hours, since many people are not at home. This is a crime that occurs in virtually every community in our country. To avoid becoming a victim of package theft, we recommend:

• If your employer will allow it, have packages delivered to your office.

Request the shipper hold your package at their pick-up facility so you can pick up in person, at your convenience.

• See if there are other delivery options, depending on the vendor you are using. For example, Amazon purchases can be shipped to four different Amazon lockers in Redmond.

• If purchasing something from a large retailer, request that your package be delivered to a local branch of the store so you can pick it up in person at your convenience.

• Have packages delivered to a place where they can be received in person, such as the home of a trusted neighbor who is home during the day, or a retired relative.

• Request a specific delivery date and time from the shipper when you know you will be home.

• Provide delivery instructions to the shipper so packages can be left at a safe location at your home, one out of sight from the street.

• Sign up for delivery alerts (text messages or emails) from the shipper, then call a trusted neighbor to take your package inside for safekeeping.

• Request the shipper require a signature confirmation upon delivery; this will prevent your package from being left at an unattended home.

• As always, be on the lookout for unusual vehicles and unknown people on your street. Call 911 to report suspicious activity.