Vancouver police warn public about seasonal risk of parcel theft

Vancouver police Const. Jason Doucette, like many Canadians, shops online for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.

And he says he takes steps to make sure his package isn't stolen when it's delivered to his doorstep.

"We have an agreement with our neighbours that if they see a package sitting on our deck, they pick it up and secure it in their house for us," said Doucette. "We do the same for them."

Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the Christmas shopping season are just weeks apart, which usually means a surge in online shopping. Doucette says it's during this time of year when police ask the public to keep an eye out for parcel thefts.

"Thieves are opportunists. They'll steal anything," said Doucette.

"If they walk by a residence and see a parcel sitting there, chances are they're going to assume no one is home and they're going to help themselves."

Theft is 'under-reported'

U.S.-based website, InsuranceQuotes.com says about 23 million Americans have had delivered packages stolen from their doorsteps.

Doucette says Vancouver police don't have the resources to track all the parcel thefts in the city. What's more, he says the public doesn't usually turn to the police when the problem arises.

"I think this type of theft is under-reported," said Doucette. "I think a lot of people will turn to the retailer themselves, turn to their credit card company and deal with it themselves informally."

Doucette urges more people to start reporting parcel thefts to police.

"We can't allocate our resources in the proper manner, if we don't know the crimes are occuring."

How to avoid parcel theft

FedEx spokeswoman Mary Kate Patterson says this is the time of year when the shipping company is busiest.

She says although FedEx tries to make sure all of their packages are delivered securely, there are steps customers can take to make sure their delivery arrives safely in their hands.

• Consider an alternate destination
  • Consider sending the package to your workplace or to a family member, friend or neighbor who is home during the day
• Send it to your nearest delivery company's office-location.
  • FedEx's office location, for example, will hold a parcel for up to five business days. 
• Request a signature
  • Many packages today are sent without requiring a signature for delivery. If you're shipping something of high value — or you just want to be sure items aren't left unattended — you can require a signature for packages to be released.
• Request a vacation hold
  • You can request a vacation hold on all shipments, if you're taking a trip out of town. Some companies hold packages for up to two weeks.
• Ask for a ring 
  • You can leave instructions for some delivery drivers to ring your doorbell or knock on your door when a package is being left. 
• Schedule your delivery
  • Pick a delivery time and date that works for you.

Patterson asks people who think their package may have been stolen to contact the police.