ATLANTA — Holiday Season Brings Increased Package Theft Risks
As the holiday season rolls into full swing here in Atlanta, residents are diving into their shopping lists, busy checking off gifts and necessities for themselves and their families. But with this rush comes a looming concern: package thefts. Yes, while the wonders of online shopping have brought us closer to convenience, they’ve also attracted some ‘grinch-like’ criminals ready to pounce on unattended deliveries left at doorsteps.
Homeowners Taking Action
Just ask Atlanta residents Shawn Medley and Brandon Lyons; home deliveries have taken center stage in their lives. From life-saving medications to day-to-day staples, these packages are crucial. However, with the rise of these deliveries comes a nagging worry — will it still be there when they get home?
“Originally, we started with three cameras,” mentioned Lyons, showing off the meticulous setup circling their home in the charming English Avenue neighborhood. But after a few incidents of theft in their area, they didn’t stop there. The couple decided to crank it up a notch and now boast a whopping eleven cameras as part of their home security strategy!
Lyons painted a picture that many can relate to: you get home, the seller sends you that comforting photo of your sweet delivery, but when you look at your porch, it’s startlingly empty. “It’s gone,” added Medley, capturing the gut-wrenching feeling of disappointment and violation that many folks experience when packages don’t arrive as expected.
Law Enforcement Sounds the Alarm
With the holiday season ushering in an uptick in shopping, local law enforcement is spreading the word that package thefts are on the rise, warning residents to stay vigilant. City of Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum recently emphasized, “What we typically see is an uptick in crimes related to property, including thefts from vehicles and, of course, thefts from porches.”
A recent report from the security research group SafeWise reveals just how serious this issue is, estimating a staggering $16 billion in losses from package thefts last year alone. That equates to a jaw-dropping 120.5 million packages disappearing right off porches across the U.S.! It gets worse for Atlanta, as the city ranks as the sixth worst in the nation for package theft, totaling about $154 million in losses — yikes!
Shining a Light on Crime Data
While the SafeWise report provides some chilling statistics, quantifying the precise extent of package theft is a bit tricky due to the confusing way different law enforcement agencies report their data. For example, the Sandy Springs Police managed to track 453 package theft incidents from 2021 up until early December 2024. Similarly, the Cobb County Police reported over 870 thefts in that same timeframe.
But here’s the kicker: many agencies are still struggling to pull together accurate data as package theft is often categorized alongside other types of theft. However, dedicated officers like Corporal Juan Madiedo of the Gwinnett County Police are employing modern detective work to track suspects, linking them to multiple thefts to prove familiarity with porch piracy.
Get Your Cameras Ready!
Using technology plays an essential role in solving these crimes. Officers encourage community members to use doorbell cameras, surveillance footage, and even vehicle license plate readers to help paint a clearer picture of suspicious activity in their neighborhoods. “It’s invaluable,” Madiedo stressed. If your neighbor experiences an issue, share that camera footage — it could be crucial!
What Can Homeowners Do?
While waiting for local police to catch visible ‘porch pirates’ is critical, homeowners like Medley and Lyons are upping their anti-theft game. They’re even considering installing a package locker to further deter thieves. Because let’s face it, whether it’s a classic Barbie or a cherished family meal, everything is valuable to someone!
In the end, police have sprinkled a few handy tips for residents: stay alert, consider technology solutions, and remember that once those packages hit your porch, they’re yours. And many retailers are still surprisingly generous, often offering replacements or compensation for stolen items — a silver lining in an otherwise frustrating predicament.
Let’s band together as a community and keep our eyes peeled. The holiday spirit is all about giving; let’s make sure we’re giving the ‘grinches’ a run for their money!
