'Tis the season for deliveries, and porch piracy, but you can protect yourself
Many Canadians have packages delivered to their homes on a daily basis. Online shopping has become a popular trend, especially during the holidays. But unfortunately, so has porch piracy -- thieves stealing your packages right from your front door.
But what if that stolen package is not replaceable?
That’s what happened to Megan Greeley of London, Ont. She was expecting a package from her family in the United States. But when it arrived in the afternoon while she was at work, a couple of porch pirates snapped it up.
The theft was captured on Greeley’s doorbell camera.
“I feel very sad -- and it’s stuff that can’t be replaced,” said Greeley.
The package contained special, personalized birthday and Christmas gifts for Greeley and her partner.
“They were handmade by my sister herself, and there were crafts in there from my nephews and niece -- I haven’t seen my sister in two years, and that’s our way to stay connected,” said Greeley.
Many homeowners have installed video doorbells, and while the thefts are caught on surveillance, technology expert Marc Saltzman says they do little to actually stop the packages from being stolen
“Obviously it’s not going to stop a would-be thief in their tracks, but hopefully it will act as a deterrent -- if you see it right there -- and then of course you have video evidence of someone lifting your package."
Saltzman says there are other ways to protect your packages from being stolen.
“Consider a personal mailbox like a lockbox for your porch -- if you order a lot online and you aren’t home a lot, that’s a good idea,” adds Saltzman.
Danby, a company from Guelph, Ont., has created a product called Parcel Guard which sells for about $500.
It can keep packages secure from theft and bad weather and can notify the homeowner through an app when a package is delivered.
Greeley says she’ll consider getting a lockbox, but in the meantime she’s reported the theft to police -- and posted the video surveillance on social media, hoping someone can identify the thieves.
“I am disappointed in the members of the community -- I feel sorry that people have to resort to stealing packages off people’s porch,” said Greeley.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.