My house has a nice big courtyard in front, with two entry gates: one on the east side and one on the west side. This makes for a pleasant and welcoming front porch, and it also provides a nice fenced-in patio where Ruby the Corgi can watch the passers-by. And bark at them. Especially if they have a dog.
It also provides a nice sheltered spot for thieves. You know them: the guys who follow the UPS and U.S. Mail trucks around the neighborhood, watch for a driver to stop and leave a package at the door, then jump out, run up to the door, grab the loot, and take off down the street again after the delivery guy.
Many of the neighbors don’t have packages delivered to their homes at all. They rent a PO box and give out its address to people who send packages or important mail.
This, of course, means you have to get in your car — during business hours only — and schlep across town to the Mail Boxes USA store — dig out a special key, unlock the drawer, get your stuff (if it’s there…), close and relock the drawer, climb in your car, and haul the junk back to your house. What’s the point of having stuff delivered at all?
By way of addressing the porch pirate problem, I put up signs on each courtyard gate:
Welcome to Porch Pirate Heaven!
You’re Being Followed
Please Don’t Leave Packages
Outside the Gate
Place Them Inside the Patio
Ring the Doorbell!
Thank you! <3
You think I jest? Consider: A neighbor who put out cameras in front has caught videos of the local thieves following UPS and Mail Service trucks up to a front door, jumping out of their car as the delivery person trundles on down the street, running up to the door, grabbing the package, racing back to their vehicle, and continuing on down the road after the delivery truck.
Quite the little nuisance, eh?
Interestingly, I’ve found the Sign Strategy works surprisingly well. I’ve not had a single delivery stolen since I started posting this notice. Dunno whether the porch pirates just don’t want to come inside the courtyard, or whether they figure there’s probably a camera recording their antics. WhatEVER: since I’ve started with the sign, I haven’t lost a single delivery.
To my knowledge… 😉
Brilliant strategy for actually getting your packages! I very seldom order anything online, so it hasn’t been a problem for me. It helps that my building has a secured courtyard where you need a code to get in the gate.