4 tips from police to protect holiday packages

4 tips from police to protect holiday packages

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SALT LAKE CITY — Shopping for loved ones can quickly turn into a sour experience if the presents you purchase are stolen.

To help holiday shoppers protect their presents, several local police departments have posted tips for safeguarding packages on social media. Whether people are shopping at stores or making purchases online, it can be important to think of security.

“Every year as the holiday season nears, the complaints of packages stolen from front porches and doorsteps begin to increase,” a post on the Orem Police Department’s Facebook page reads. “When some people think they are sidestepping long lines and rude crowds by shopping online, they could be inadvertently turning themselves into easy targets for thieves that scour front doors for deliveries.”

Below are some of the tips police suggested for holiday shoppers to keep in mind.

Lock car doors

Some tips may seem like common sense, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t important. The No. 1 thing people can do to prevent theft while out shopping is to simply lock their vehicle's doors, Sgt. Fuller of the St. George Police Department said in a podcast on holiday shopping.

“The No. 1 thing they can do, honestly, is to just lock their vehicles,” he said during the podcast. “A lot of these crimes that occur during this time of year are opportunity crimes and simply just creating that barrier between you and someone who has the desire to steal something from you can do a lot.”

Keep items out of sight

Another easy tip from the St. George Police Department is to just take the time to ensure packages are kept out of sight from prowling eyes. If potential thieves don’t see anything interesting in a car or anywhere else, they likely won’t have the motivation to try to break in.

Shoppers should also park in well-lit areas when possible and be mindful of their surroundings, police said.

Have items delivered to alternative locations

Having packages dropped off at your doorstep is convenient, but that doesn’t mean it is always the best option.

“One way to protect yourself is have your high-dollar items sent to your place of employment instead of your home, if your employer will allow it,” the Orem police Facebook post reads. “You could also have them shipped to the home of a person who you know will be home when you are not.”

A number of retailers, like Target and Best Buy, also offer free pickup at their stores for online orders.

Purchase security devices

If you prefer to have packages dropped off at your doorstep, investing in a security device could offer some protection. The Orem Police Department mentioned SammySak, a locked “package guard” shoppers can hang on their door.

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Natalie Crofts

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