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First Responder
MCSO cautions Queen Creek residents about ‘Porch Pirates’
Posted
The holiday season also is “Porch Pirate” season in Queen Creek and around the Valley.
Porch Pirates are thieves that steal holiday gift packages left at front doors.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s office will be on the lookout for these types of thefts in Queen Creek, but everyone can help this crime from occurring. Here are some tips to deter Porch Pirates:
If you know a package is going to be delivered when you are not home, try to leave a car parked in the driveway. This will give the appearance someone is home.
When choosing shipping details, take a moment to check off “signature required.” This is an option with all the major services, like UPS, FedEx, DHL and USPS.
Consider signing up for a paid service that will receive and protect your packages until you can pick them up. Major delivery services such as Amazon, FedEx and UPS offer locker services.
Install a porch lock box on your front porch for your packages to be placed in by the deliverer. You can also get a device called a package guard that sounds an alarm after a package is placed on top and then lifted.
Sign up for services from the delivery company such as Amazon “Key.” With these services, packages can be secured inside your house or garage by giving temporary access to the deliverer.
Have the package delivered to the house of someone you know will be home during delivery.
Install security cameras in a location that is obviously visible. If the cameras don’t deter the pirate, they will give law enforcement a lead on the suspect.
MCSO also asks residents to report suspicious people or vehicles seen in their neighborhood. Porch Pirates do not typically drive work vehicles, so residents should keep an eye out for standard vehicles they are not used to seeing on their street.
Porch Pirates do not want their vehicle to be on camera of the house they strike, so residents should look for people who park in front of one house and walk down to another house. If you see a person you don’t recognize in your neighborhood walking up to the front door of a house, get your phone and be ready to record them and their vehicle if they begin walking away with packages.
Law enforcement officials also advise residents to lock their cars and be aware of package thieves while out shopping.
MCSO states no package is worth a person's safety, so be a great witness and let law enforcement confront the Porch Pirate.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office - District 6 remains the Queen Creek's law enforcement provider until Jan. 11. The MCSO substation in Queen Creek is located at 20727 E. Civic Parkway. For emergencies, call 911. MCSO's non-emergency number is 602-876-1011.