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We live in a rural area and partly because of this, we are more reliant than many people on online shopping for Christmas gifts. Over the past few years, theft of Christmas presents, mail, and even yard decorations has become a rampant problem for several reasons, chief among them the fact that shipping companies just drop the gifts off on people's doorsteps within full view of anyone who happens along. Since we don't have cluster mailboxes, thieves have been stealing Christmas cards for the gift cards they may contain. And the theft of Christmas decorations? Good grief! Burglars come at night and the next day the shocked residents notice that Santa is short one or more reindeer, or that they have no decorations left at all.
I am aware that people will break into cars when customers are at brick and mortar stores, but invading people's homes seems even worse. What kind of lowlife steals Santa from a person's front yard? Many residents won't decorate anymore because of the loss of so many decorations And how do we protect ourselves when online sellers don't require a signature on most purchases? We can't be home all the time. Have you had this happen to you? What did you do?
.......What kind of lowlife steals Santa from a person's front yard?......Have you had this happen to you? What did you do?
Perhaps the immature (not going to say "kids" for the following description) or the drunk doing it for a "joke".
Had a sailor in the late 80's do that, steal Christmas lawn decorations. I believe it was the only time I went to the Captain to have him sign a search warrant. I don't recall what the sailor got in punishment but the Captain was in one of his very rare VERY ANGRY moods at Captain's Mast.
As to the lawn ornaments, they were returned to the owners.
I have never bought anything online, for that one reason, them dropping it off at my door step, in a townhouse community. I'm a night shift worker, I sleep everyday from roughly 9-10am-5-6pm, so I'm not awake to receive the knock on the door, answer the buzzer.
I've been wanting to buy things online, but is there an alternative to them dropping it off at your doorstep? Can you drive to a location, and pick it up there, instead?
Cameras! What good are they!!! The President of our HOA caught someone on camera actually trying to steal the cameras, and his face was right there looking into the camera, he called the police, and: What do you want us to do about it?
The police are in the business of creating revenue for the city, county, state, and what possible revenue could be created arresting someone like that?
I just watched a clip on the news last night. Apparently USPS is aggravating the theft situation. Residents have snapped pictures of lazy mail carriers throwing residents' packages on their front yards! They don't even bother putting the items at the front door; they deposit them where everyone can see them. Had these people not been home, the gifts would have been taken and it's possible some of them have been stolen already.
I'm fortunate this year that I'm homebound, nursing an injured shoulder. I also have two huge dogs, one of which has very keen hearing. So the instant the truck drives up and the mail lady throws something on the porch, she barks twice to alert us the package has arrived. I never hear the truck drive up; it's so quiet. It's nice to know my dog isn't just a mooch. Apparently she finally listened when I told her to get a job
I have never bought anything online, for that one reason, them dropping it off at my door step, in a townhouse community. I'm a night shift worker, I sleep everyday from roughly 9-10am-5-6pm, so I'm not awake to receive the knock on the door, answer the buzzer.
I've been wanting to buy things online, but is there an alternative to them dropping it off at your doorstep? Can you drive to a location, and pick it up there, instead?
Cameras! What good are they!!! The President of our HOA caught someone on camera actually trying to steal the cameras, and his face was right there looking into the camera, he called the police, and: What do you want us to do about it?
The police are in the business of creating revenue for the city, county, state, and what possible revenue could be created arresting someone like that?
You can get packages delivered direct to ups stores or direct to the post office i believe is an option.
Whoever drops off my packages at my door, has their picture taken while they're doing it. Another camera takes a picture of any vehicles that pull up my driveway, including a great shot of their license plate.
Same as when someone comes to the door to remove anything.
Smile
: )
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And how do we protect ourselves when online sellers don't require a signature on most purchases? We can't be home all the time. Have you had this happen to you? What did you do?
