A rise in holiday purchases means a rise in porch pirates

SOUTH BEND, Ind-- With the holiday season upon us, Amazon projects that during the 2025 2.3 billion packages will be delivered. According to South Bend Police with a rise in deliveries comes a rise of thefts.

Brian Meador, Community Resource Officer SBPD says, "As the holidays approach, there's a lot more packages being delivered, so the incidents might increase statistically this time of year, you see more of that sort of activity, mainly because it's a target of opportunity or a crime of opportunity."

Meador says there's a few things you can do to help prevent packages from being taken. Meador explains, "We see an increase in individuals having the package sent to their workplace, sending it to the post office or an Amazon locker center, trusted neighbor or a trusted relative you know, some place that may not have as high a traffic or where they know somebody is going to be there during the delivery time. We've seen individuals that will install lockers in their own lockers or secured boxes on the front porch to where packages or letters can be dropped off and secured properly."

It is also advised to try and have someone home when your packages arrive so that it's not sitting outside for extended periods of time. Amazon partners with some garage door companies to put your packages inside your garage in efforts to keep it safe.

A rise in outdoor cameras and Ring doorbells also helps these efforts. By being able to capture footage of a person snagging your package, police are able to find that suspect much quicker.

If you have a package stolen you can file a report online here: Report Filing - InSouthBendPd or call the non emergency line: (574) 235-9201