NCOs Say Residents Should Work Together to Prevent Package Thefts

By Yehudit Garmaise

Package theft was the criminal concern about which residents most wanted to discuss last night when neighborhood community officers Karol Smiarowski and Viviane Perrone, from the 66th Precinct, met with community members and Shomrim and Shmira volunteers at 7pm in a meeting called, “Build the Block,” which takes place every other week at the United Talmudical Academy at 123 Clara Street.

After Smiarowski asked the crowd, “Have you ever had packages taken?” and many people responded in unison, “Yes!” the police officer said, “This is New York City, I am not going to lie to you: it is going to happen,” but then he also gave several great tips so that Boro Parkers can prevent what some call, "porch piracy."

For instance, one resident, who suspected another resident in his building was the culprit, reported that he has had packages stolen twice in the past year, Smiarowski asked him whether he had called 911. The man admitted, “I did not.”

Police officers cannot help at all, unless they are called after crimes occur, said Smiarowski, who emphasized that the NYPD use video evidence and building records to find perpetrators of package theft, even months after crimes occur, but only when crimes are reported: something that can be done at online.

“For those who have packages stolen, that is an issue to us,” Smiarowski said. “I want to catch the guys taking the packages from your building: whether it is another resident or someone who has somehow gained access to your building.”

In addition to making police reports, however, Smiarowski explained that residents can take many steps themselves to prevent package theft.

The first problem the neighborhood community officer pointed out is that packages are often delivered when residents are not home, and they are left to sit outside, where they can easily be taken. 

“Call your foreman, your neighbor, or your friend, and ask, ‘Would you mind please taking in my package that I am expecting, and I will come by after work and pick it up?’ Smiarowski suggested. “These are things you can do for each other.”

Another idea Smiarowski gave residents as a way to “take matters into their own hands,” was to ask their building’s management or super to put locks on mailroom doors and give the keys to mail carriers, so packages be delivered inside locked rooms.

“When things are left out in the open, anyone can walk by and pick stuff up,” Smiarowski said.

Another great tip Smiarowski gave was to make specific requests of mail carriers in the spaces called, “Additional Notes,” when placing online orders. 

“When placing your order, don’t be afraid to tell Amazon, which is very responsive to these notes, or other companies, exactly where you would like your packages left.”

The police officer said that in the “Additional Notes,” online customers can request mail carriers to ring, or not ring, their bells when they deliver their packages, leave them in backyards, on the sides of buildings, or even to leave boxes in particular hiding spots, like bushes.

With a laugh, he said, you don’t have to worry about later hunting for your packages because Amazon take photos of the locations of their deliveries and emails those photos to customers. 

One woman, who works full time, shared that so she was able to pick up her packages at a secure location, she created a UPS account that allows a local store to hold her packages, which she can pick up when it is convenient for her. 

“Residents should call 911 for any neighborhood problem: big or small," Smirarowski said, "But as much as we want to work with you, you have to work together as well, and be smart to protect yourself.”