Earlier this week, the GTPD announced an initiative in place that combats thieves that steal residents online purchases
The following is a press release by the Gloucester Township Police Department:
The holidays are quickly approaching which means a dramatic increase of packages being delivered to homes throughout the country with many of those packages being delivered just days after Cyber Monday.
It has been estimated that a U.S. homeowner received an average of 27 packages in 2016 with an average cost of $50 to $100 per package. Additionally, during this same time period approximately 11 million dollars worth of property delivered to homes in the U.S. was stolen (BusinessWire). When we look at bicycles, it is estimated that over 1.5 million bicycles are stolen every year nationally (National Bike Registry).
As Cyber Monday approaches, The Gloucester Township Police Department wants would be thieves to know that packages delivered to homes in Gloucester Township may be equipped with a GPS device. It is also clear that we have already expanded our use of this equipment to bicycles, handbags, and recently purchased merchandise so again those looking to steal are warned that bicycles and other personal belongings left unattended may likely contain a GPS tracking device.
As the holiday season approaches we encourage everyone to take the necessary precautions when ordering packages online.
– Have place you can have your packages delivered. For example, if you work during the day, have items you order online delivered to your place of business instead of your home address. Instruct family and friends to do the same for packages they mail to you throughout the year.
– Keep your car and house doors locked at all times.
– Be neighborly. If you see a package sitting on a neighbor’s doorstep, reach out and ask if they would like you to hold it until they are home.
– If possible, require a signature for all your deliveries. If there’s no one home to sign for the package, it won’t be left at your home.
– If you are having your purchases shipped to your house, sign up for delivery alerts from the shipper. If you aren’t home during delivery, message a neighbor to have them take the package back to their place until you get home.
– Discourage thieves from targeting your residence with a few strategic home security devices. Home surveillance cameras can be effective crime deterrents. Your home security cameras should be prominently displayed where potential criminals can see them, yet high enough to prevent them from being tampered with. Outdoor security lighting and a home alarm system can also be effective crime deterrents.
– Keep an eye out for suspicious vehicles and subjects in your neighborhood. Putting a stop to package theft and residential burglaries is a team effort. Talk to your neighbors and encourage everyone to keep an eye out for suspicious activity (an individual or vehicle following a delivery truck, a stranger removing a package from outside a residence, etc). Please report suspicious activity to the Gloucester Township Police by calling (856) 228-4500 or by calling 911.
