Porch pirates pose threat during holiday delivery season

As the holiday season brings a surge in online shopping and package deliveries, it also attracts an unwelcome visitor: porch pirates. These thieves – who steal packages left outside homes – capitalize on the season’s heightened activity, turning festive cheer into frustration for unsuspecting residents.

Porch pirates is the term used for individuals who deliberately steal packages delivered to homes by the post office or private carriers. These thefts commonly occur on porches, front steps, or even in open garages.

Nationally, about 35% of homes have been victims of this type of theft. Eden Prairie has not been spared.

“While we have data on ‘tamper with mail’ reports, there is no easy way to differentiate between mail that fits in a mailbox and packages that don’t,” said Joyce Lorenz, a spokesperson for the city.

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Capt. Chris Wood of the Eden Prairie Police Department said, “Mail and package thefts are crimes of opportunity that can often be deterred. We’re fortunate these thefts have been trending down over the past few years in Eden Prairie and attribute that to our residents being more mindful about prevention.”

Eden Prairie police have tracked mail-related thefts under tamper with mail reports. The highest number of incidents was recorded in 2021, with 54 reported cases. So far, in 2024, there have been 18 reported thefts.

Tips to prevent package theft

With the holiday season underway, police encourage residents to take precautions to protect their deliveries. Lorenz outlined several tips to help prevent package thefts:

• Make arrangements with a neighbor to receive your packages if you won’t be home, or ask delivery companies to leave items out of sight, such as at the back of the house.

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• If permitted by your employer, have packages delivered to your workplace.

• Consider installing a security camera near your front door.

• If mailing something important, select the “Hold for Pickup” option so the recipient can collect it at their local post office. Many private delivery companies offer similar services.

The police department’s Dec. 4 blog post, titled “Grinches Among Us,” outlined additional steps residents can take to safeguard themselves and their property during the holidays. Shoppers in busy malls are advised to keep wallets and phones in front pockets or secure purses, and to store purchases out of sight, such as in a car trunk.

For holiday travelers, the blog recommends using timers on lights, pausing mail and newspaper deliveries, and asking neighbors to shovel driveways or leave tire tracks in the snow to make it appear someone is home.