Christopher Delmonte, Chief of Police
220 Pleasant St.
Bridgewater, MA 02324
For Immediate Release
Monday, Sept. 27, 2017
Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Bridgewater Police Offer Tips to Prevent Holiday Package Theft
BRIDGEWATER – With the holiday shopping season officially here, Chief Christopher Delmonte and the Bridgewater Police Department wish to remind residents of several precautions they can take when ordering items online to help prevent their gifts from falling into the wrong hands.
“Always try to make sure someone is home or available to pick up your delivery to prevent package thefts,” Chief Delmonte said. “Thieves are known to follow delivery trucks during this time of year and will take them right off of your front steps. We ask residents to be good neighbors and if they see something suspicious to call the police.”
FedEx and UPS offer services to assist customers during the holidays. To best ensure that your packages are not taken, Bridgewater Police recommend the following strategies:
- Request notifications on your deliveries, via phone or email, to monitor your packages in transit and upon delivery.
- Always require a signature on your deliveries to ensure packages are never left unattended.
- Consider sending deliveries to an alternate location where someone will be able to receive them – whether that be a workplace, a neighbor or friend’s house, or a FedEx or UPS location.
- Schedule your delivery for a specific date and time that you’re expected to be home.
- Set up a vacation hold if you plan on traveling during the holidays so gifts won’t be left on the doorstep.
- Be aware of “tailgating,” which refers to the people who follow delivery vehicles and steal the packages after they are dropped off.
- If you find your package has been stolen, reach out to Bridgewater Police and report it immediately.
- Never accept a surprise delivery where a payment is required, and never give out personal information when receiving a delivery that you purchased.
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