How to stop (or at least slow down) porch pirates.

Stop that porch plundering, or at least slow it down!

We've all been there - whether you've ordered something online from a retailer or food delivery service, there's a chance you've either experienced, or at least feared, that your package has been swiped. Even if you're extra cautious when tracking your packages and always receive delivery confirmations, the fear can still linger as time passes without a knock on your door. You've been home for hours, your prized packages left in the mercy of porch pirates.

Given the low risk and minimal effort involved, porch theft is a prevalent issue. In fact, a 2022 study concluded that 14% of us have had at least one package stolen, with an average value of around $112 . Online shopping and more people returning to the office means this problem won't be going away anytime soon.

While it's clear what to do when a package goes missing, finding ways to deter or even stop the jolly porch bandits in your neighborhood is essential if you want to avoid the annoyance. Here's how:

Change your delivery address

The simplest and most effective means of keeping porch pirates from stealing your loot is to transport it somewhere else - far from your empty, defenceless home. If you often have packages to receive and seldom pop your head out to grab them, you might consider setting up a permanent alternative delivery address to use as your standard shipping address.

Here are some possibilities:

• Another address: Have your package delivered to a different location, such as a neighbor's house or family member's residence nearby, or even your workplace if you can easily cart it home after work. Some retailers like Amazon offer delivery programs, such as Amazon Locker, that allow you to change your delivery route to alternative pick-up locations.
• Package pick-up service: Depending on your location, you might be able to sign up for a package pick-up service like GoLocker. These services will take your packages for you and hold onto them until you're available to pick them up or can even deliver them to you at a later date.
• In-home delivery: Many online retailers have launched programs that allow delivery personnel to enter your garage (assuming you have one) if you install an intelligent garage door controller (at your own expense) and grant them access. Delivery people can then drop off your belongings, close up shop, and leave, sparing you the semi-invasive experience of having strangers trek through your house.

Note

Security cameras can also act as a deterrent for porch pirates. For example, the Blink Wired Floodlight Camera is priced at $49.99 (originally $99.99), or the WYZE Cam OG 1080p HD Wi-Fi-Surveillance Camera for $19.98 (originally $29.98). These cameras can be installed on your porch to monitor activity. Additionally, some home security systems like SimpliSafe and ADT offer motion detection and real-time alerts that could potentially scare away potential porch pirates.

Utilize all available delivery tracking options

When you make an online purchase, there are usually multiple ways to track your delivery. Most delivery services provide basic notifications whenever your package is delivered. You can usually upgrade to real-time tracking, allowing you to monitor the exact location of the truck driving by your house on a map. By enabling all available tracking options, including email and SMS, you'll have a clear idea of when your package is expected to arrive, allowing you to arrange for someone to be there to receive it.

You can also include specific instructions for the delivery person. This could include specifying a specific hiding spot for the package or offering a less-obvious delivery location, like a side door. While you can't guarantee that your instructions will be followed, it never hurts to try.

Ask your neighbors for help

We live in an age of community, where fellow humans sometimes have to act as Moses to the Promised Land for each other. If someone works close by or stays home often, they might be willing to accept the package on behalf of you. Even if you're not comfortable setting up a mailing list or joining an app like NextDoor, someone in the neighborhood might be willing to step in and grab the package when they see it left on your doorstep. My wife and I have essentially become amateur porch package wranglers in our neighborhood, as we've been working remotely for years and our neighbors know we'll dash outside to retrieve packages at the drop of a hat. So, sometimes, you just need one or two friends.

Install security cameras

Finally, and blatantly obvious to many, security cameras can serve as an excellent deterrent for porch pirates, helping to deter or even prevent package theft. While a determined porch pirate may ignore or evade some of these measures, implementing them still makes good sense if you know you're a potential target. These measures include:

• Home security systems: Regardless of whether you use a SimpliSafe or ADT system, you can wire your home so that an alarm doesn't just go off when someone disturbs your porch, but it alerts you, often via SMS or email messages.
• Push doorbells and similar products: Smart doorbells and similar products can offer similar functionalities, allowing you to receive notifications when someone approaches your door and even communicate with them, possibly scaring them away.
• Motion activated lighting: If you must leave packages out overnight or sunset occurs early at your location, motion-activated lighting can deter a variety of suspicious activities.
• Secure bags and boxes: There are numerous secure taschens and -boxes available, such as the Porch Pirate Bag. These items generally work on the same underlying principles: they're attached to your house in some way (be it with bolts or heavy wire), and the delivery person places the packages inside and then secures them. Even a determined thief would face much more hassle, noise, and annoyance than most are willing to endure.

We've entered the age of boundless delivery, so it's time to up your game and plan for protecting the goods for which you've paid. While heading back to brick-and-mortar stores is a discouraging prospect, with these strategies, you can significantly reduce the risk of porch piracy and ensure that your packages arrive safely.

Further reading:

Security cameras, such as the Blink Wired Floodlight Camera priced at ($49.99, originally $99.99), or the WYZE Cam OG 1080p HD Wi-Fi Surveillance Camera for $19.98 (originally $29.98), can be installed on your porch to monitor activity. Additionally, home security systems like SimpliSafe and ADT offer motion detection and real-time alerts that can potentially deter potential porch pirates.

Furthermore, setting up smartphone notifications for delivery updates can help you stay informed about your package's location. Services like Amazon's Amazon Key and Walmart's InHome allow delivery personnel to unlock your door and leave your package inside, reducing the risk of theft. By utilizing all available tracking options, installing security cameras, and staying informed, you can significantly decrease the likelihood of porch piracy.

Enrichment Data

To deter or prevent porch piracy using security cameras and smart delivery notifications, consider the following strategies:

1. Install Security Cameras:
2. Motion Detection: Install cameras that can detect motion and send real-time notifications to your mobile device when someone approaches your door or package.
3. Night Vision: Ensure the cameras have night vision capabilities to monitor deliveries during the day or night.
4. Two-Way Talk: Use cameras with two-way talk features to communicate with delivery personnel or potential thieves, which can deter them from attempting to steal packages.
5. Smart Delivery Notifications:
6. Real-Time Alerts: Set up notifications that alert you when a package is delivered. This allows you to retrieve the package promptly and reduce the risk of theft.
7. Package Tracking: Use apps that provide real-time tracking and updates on package delivery, ensuring you're aware of the package's status and can take action if necessary.
8. Zone Restrictions:
9. Custom Alerts: Set up zone restrictions on your security system to avoid false alerts and ensure that notifications are only triggered when a package is delivered to a specific area, such as the front porch.
10. Community Watch:
11. Shared Surveillance: Consider participating in community watch initiatives where neighbors share surveillance footage to monitor suspicious activity and help prevent theft.
12. Alternative Delivery Options:
13. Secure Locations: Arrange for packages to be delivered to a secure location, such as a workplace or a nearby Amazon Hub locker, which can reduce the risk of theft.
14. Smart Home Delivery Pods:
15. Hyve Pod: Use smart home delivery pods like the hyve pod, which can be secured to the front of a home and equipped with an accelerometer that sounds an alarm if tampered with. The pod also sends alerts to the owner and neighbors, providing an additional layer of security.

By combining these strategies, you can significantly reduce the risk of porch piracy and ensure your packages are delivered safely.