Theft Prevention Tips to Outsmart Porch Pirates in Lubbock

In this age of online marketplaces and drop-off deliveries, it's easier than ever to have the latest gadget delivered to your door with the push of a button.

What Are Porch Pirates?

It may come as a surprise, but neatly wrapping an unattended package on your doorstep while you're at work isn't exactly the safest course of action.

Porch pirates like to scan neighborhoods looking for easy scores in boxes, bags, and even DoorDash deliveries without the owners ever finding out. This is why when I am out of town, I ask a friend to swing by my house and hold any deliveries until I get back, just in case.

Well, the Lubbock Police Department (LPD) had a thing or two to say about porch pirates, especially during the holiday season.

Protection from Porch Pirates in Lubbock

According to Everything Lubbock, LPD offered some tips on keeping your deliveries out of harm's way when left on your porch unattended:

Have a neighbor or friend grab them until you return—my favorite option
Have the packages delivered to a P.O. box or to an Amazon pickup location
With permission, have packages delivered to your workplace
Ask the delivery company to hide the package (behind bushes, inside a flower pot, under the welcome mat, etc.)
Keep track of your package and plan to accept the delivery in person

It's also recommended that you install a camera of some sort at your front door and keep the area well-lit with motion-sensor lights.

What to do If Your Package Was Stolen

If you do fall victim to porch piracy, you can always call the crimeline at 806-741-1000 and send the authorities any video footage you have to track the criminal down.

As long as you follow these steps from LPD, you not only can avoid getting your packages stolen, but you can help catch anyone bold enough (or dumb enough) to even attempt it in the first place.