SPOKANE, Wash. — With Black Friday and Cyber Monday behind us and Christmas just three weeks away, many are expecting packages to arrive on their doorsteps. Unfortunately, the Spokane Police Department reports a significant spike in package theft during this time of year.
According to a study by Security.org, package theft remains a significant issue across the United States.
The average value of a stolen package is $204, with an estimated 58 million Americans having fallen victim to this crime. In total, the value of stolen packages nationwide amounts to approximately $12 billion in the past twelve months.
“The biggest one that I’ve seen is people watching for specific delivery companies,” said SPD Public Information Officer Daniel Strassenberg. “They wait for a package to be delivered and then quickly go up and take it.”
To combat package theft, SPD recommends several preventive measures.
One of the most effective is having packages delivered to a secure location away from home, such as a workplace or package locker.
Other tips include arranging delivery to a trusted neighbor who will be home, selecting delivery methods that require a signature, or closely monitoring delivery dates and times.
For those who fall victim to theft, SPD urges them to call Crime Check and submit any video evidence from security or doorbell cameras. Video footage can be crucial in helping SPD’s Stolen Property Enforcement and Recovery unit, or SPEAR, which successfully made multiple arrests last year.
The department reminds residents that reporting incidents and providing evidence are the best ways to seek justice for stolen packages.
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