NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans police are warning residents to protect their packages from “porch pirates.”
According to the NOPD, this kind of property crime increases during the run-up to the holidays.
“Crime happens all times during the year, but it does have a higher frequency during the holiday season, and nobody wants their family members gifts to be taken, so be vigilant, look out for your neighbors,” NOPD Detective James Roberson said.
Police posted videos of two recent thefts on their YouTube channel.
“Some people follow delivery trucks, and some people just see the delivery driver drop it and then run straight up and grab it,” Det. Roberson said.
Just last week, as soon as a delivery truck drove from a Gentilly home off Elysian Fields, a pickup truck pulled up, a man got out and snatched the package.
A neighbor across the street called the theft upsetting.
“It’s not indicative to the area that we live in, in New Orleans,” Malaika Moran said. “I just think it’s a crime of opportunity and it can happen anywhere.”
A week earlier, there was another suspected package theft a few blocks away on Lafaye Street.
“He was walking past,” the victim who did not want to be identified said. “He saw a package and he came back, and he took it.”
The man said the crime left him feeling vulnerable in his own home.
“It’s just part of the world we live in,” he said. “Some people are good. Some people want to take an opportunity to do things.”
Detective Roberson recommends if you’re expecting a package it’s best for someone to be home to receive it or have it delivered to a safe place like your office, or an Amazon drop box.
He says you can also ask your online retailer to leave the package behind a gate or bush.
“The more you can secure your own packages, the less that thief will want to take that crime of opportunity.”
Gentilly neighbors say they will use the recent package thefts as a learning lesson to be more cautious and to know when packages are delivered, especially during the holidays.
“Fortunately, for us, it wasn’t something of too much significance, but it just gives you a reminder to keep your eyes open,” one of the victims told WWL Louisiana.
“It’s important for us to stay vigilant and to look out for each other,” Moran said.
Here are some other tips for keeping packages safe from thieves.
If you ordered from a retailer with a store in your area, have the item shipped to the store for pickup.
Track your package so you know when it will be delivered.
If you notice one of your neighbors has a package at their door, give them a call and let them know.
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