November 29, 2019 3:30 a.m.
With Black Friday and Cyber Monday taking place and shoppers eager to find great deals online, staff with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said an increase in deliveries to residential addresses, means the potential for theft also increases.
Sergeant Brad O’Dell said the department has some tips so that resident’s holidays are not spoiled. Those include:
*Know when packages will be arriving by monitoring tracking information available by the shipping company.
*Ask a trusted neighbor to watch for the delivery of packages and to hold them until someone is at home.
*Those not home during the day should consider having items delivered to their workplace or a neighbor. Some shipping companies allow customers to hold a package at their facility for pick-up.
*Elect for in-store pickup, if available.
*Require a signature to be obtained for the delivery of a package to avoid it being left on a door-step when no one is at home.
*Residents should be vigilant and call police if they witness suspicious vehicles or people following delivery trucks.
*Residents should install surveillance cameras around their home. The mere presence of a camera may deter a thief, but can also help law enforcement to solve a crime.
*If sending a package to someone, let them know it’s coming so they can be on the lookout.
O’Dell said following those simple tips can substantially reduce the risk that you will become a victim this holiday season.