Shoppers enjoying Cyber Monday deals aren't the only ones looking forward to seeing packages at their front doors. "Porch pirates," thieves who take advantage of unattended deliveries, are also keeping an eye out.
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) is sharing their tips to keep these thievesw at bay.
WCSO told 2 News that this year is one of the biggest online Christmas seasons we've ever had, so it's extremely important to do everything you can to prevent those gifts from getting stolen.
"This time of year when individuals know there's a high volume of packages being delivered, that's when you see them preying upon it because they're looking for that crime of opportunity," said Sheriff Darin Balaam. "And what better way than to run up to a porch, grab it, and run back to the car. You know ring cameras and all those cameras now that [are] prevalent in neighborhoods kind of reduce it a little bit but for us the goal is zero."
To prevent theft, Shriff Balaam recommends:Â
- Asking a trusted neighbor or friend to pick up a package, if you're not home
- Have packages delivered to your workplace
- Require a signature for delivery
- Use delivery lockers
- Report suspicious activity to police
WCSO is also asking for the community's assistance in an operation to catch porch pirates with fake packages.
"We have tracking devices that we're going to put in boxes and put on porches." Sheriff Balaam said. "So that for those individuals that want to commit that crime and take it off the porch, they won't know if it's truly being delivered in a true package or if it's one of our tracking, but we will know it's taken and then we will go apprehend those people."
Residents interested in volunteering their porches for this operation can email Detective Todd Williams at tawilliamsjr@washoecounty.gov.
