Burlington Police Department warns of package thieves

burlington-police

Burlington, IA-  The Burlington Police Department is advising residents to be aware of package thieves, otherwise known as “porch pirates” this holiday season.

Porch Pirates are thieves that watch for delivery drivers dropping off packages, then steal them once the driver leaves.  The Burlington Police Department advises residents to follow these steps to prevent a “porch pirate” from stealing your packages.

  1. Use the package tracking offered by the delivery service.  Sign up for updates to know exactly where your package is, and when it has been delivered.
  2. Install a video doorbell.  There are many different makes and models but most will alert you to someone being at your front door and they record video of the person at your door.  Most will allow you to have a 2-way conversation via your smartphone with the person at the door.
  3.  Invest in a porch lock box designed for package delivery.  When you order an item online, you can give instructions to the delivery service on how to access the lock box and leave your package inside. This option is a great idea if you shop online often.

If you are a victim of package theft, contact the Burlington Police Department.