Package thefts are on the rise this holiday season!! There have been several different suspects reportedly snatching packages off front doorsteps throughout the city. These are occurring during the day and at night. Officers are actively investigating these cases and out patrolling but we need the communities help to identify and capture these Grinches of Christmas. If anyone looks familiar, please contact the Police Department at 650-877-8900.
Here are a few reported and not reported surveillance videos of these thefts within the past few days.
In the meantime, please follow these helpful safety tips to avoid being a target of this type of criminal activity.
- Leave at door – if you have the package delivered to your door when you’re not home, see if a neighbor, friend or family member can retrieve it upon delivery.
- Delivery to a neighbor – depending on the carrier, you may be able to indicate having the package left at a neighbor’s address
- Access Point Pickup – most carriers have a network of local stores or pickup points where you can retrieve your package if you’re not home
- Parcel locker – install a secure parcel box at your home where the delivery driver can leave your package
- Post office box – rent a PO Box at your local post office to receive packages there
- Hold at delivery facility – some carriers allow you to request that your package be held at their local facility until you can pick it up
- Signature required – if a package needs a signature, the delivery person will likely leave a notice for you to pick it up at a designated location
- Delivery Instructions – most delivery services allow you to provide specific instructions about where to leave your package if you are not home
- Check with your carrier – always check the delivery options available through your chosen carrier to see what choices you have for receiving packages when you are not home
If you find yourself a victim of a package theft or any other crime, it’s important to report it at or around the time it occurs. This helps police become more aware of the criminal activity occurring in your neighborhood. There may also be helpful evidence or tips available at or around the time of occurrence to identify a suspect and solve the case.
The South San Francisco Police Department does not take these crimes lightly. Eyewitnesses and reported crimes are imperative to our mission to bring these suspects to justice and help deter future crimes. If you see something suspicious, say something. Call 911 or 650-877-8900 to report.