Do not fall victim to a porch pirate! - December, 2022

As we enter the Christmas season and bring 2022 to a close, I sure hope this month's article finds everyone doing well! 

Given the time of year it is, and Christmas gifts being ordered and shipped to your residence, it would be remiss of me to not remind everyone of the presence of "porch pirates" - best known as your local thieves - taking advantage of the season.

With Internet based shopping - most notably, Amazon - becoming ever more prevalent, residents are reminded that visible packages left at your doorstep many times catch the eye of "porch pirates" whom merely roll around, looking for such goods which serve as easy targets.  Some of our local thieves have even been classy enough (sarcastically speaking) to follow delivery trucks to see where stops are being made.

Preventative options to consider include having packages delivered to a location where someone will be physically present to take immediate hand-to-hand delivery.  To provide a personal example, I have packages delivered to a retired family member's residence as someone is usually home and can accept delivery on-site.  I've heard of other citizens using friends, trusted neighbors, friendly businesses, etc. where someone is present to accept delivery.  Anything is better than just having an unattended package on your porch for hours! 

Packages on doorsteps all day really catch the eye of our local thieves; trust me!  I don't want you to be the next victim. 

Alternatively, should you decide to have packages dropped at your doorstep, video doorbell systems (i.e. Ring, Blink, etc.) provide phenomenal evidence should you fall victim and we need to quickly identity the culprit.

Always at your service, your Sheriff,

Clay Chism

Image by dgim-studio on Freepik