via Amazon

Thanks to David for passing on an update on Amazon’s delivery plans from CNN:

“The service is called Amazon Key and launches November 8 for Prime members.

You buy a kit that includes an Amazon security camera, the Cloud Cam, and a compatible smart lock. The kit starts at $249.99.”

Amazon’s website says:

“As a Prime member, get your Amazon packages securely delivered just inside your front door. Plus, grant access to the people you trust, like your family, friends, dog walker, or house cleaner – no more leaving a key under the mat.

Amazon Key is exclusively for Prime members in select cities and surrounding areas. [including Washington, DC metro area] To get started, purchase the Amazon Key In-Home Kit, starting at $249.99. The kit includes: the Amazon Cloud Cam (Key Edition) indoor security camera and a compatible smart lock from Kwikset or Yale.”

From MPD Tuesday night:

“Today members of the First District Crime Suppression Team were on patrol early in the day on the look-out for package thieves in the Capitol Hill-East area and observed several suspicious acts.

At approximately 1108 AM, one officer encountered two men that seemed to be working together in the 400 block of 11th Street NE. The officer saw the two men walking through the block appearing to look into cars and he set up nearby to observe them for actual criminal behavior beyond the merely suspicious.

One of the two men then walked up to the building at 410 11th Street NE and sit down beside a large package. When the man opened the package, the lookout noticed the officer and the men fled in different directions. The package that was opened was left behind.

When fleeing the man discarded a hedge trimmer that he had either just stolen or had been carrying to reduce the suspicious nature of his behavior approaching homes. He also discarded a backpack containing a large silver foil “Prepared Meal Service” package such as SunBasket, HelloFresh, or BlueApron might send. Officers were unable to determine from which home he had stolen that meal service delivery. Read More

A reader writes from Shaw (5th and R St, NW):

“I definitely don’t think it will lead to an arrest, but I am hopeful the guy will see the flyers and maybe he will be less likely to swipe the next box. One never knows, the next package he doesn’t steal might have someone’s medicine in it.”

“Dear PoPville,

I’ve seen various posts about package thieves on foot. Yesterday I was the victim of a drive-by package theft. By a guy rocking a fedora who will now be known as the Fedora Bandit.

He was driving a greyish, late-model minivan with a large dent on the passenger side. He pulled over, walked up to the door of the house, grabbed the package, loaded it in his van, and drove off. He is a middle-aged, burly guy (maybe 5’8) with a white goatee and a slight limp in his right leg.

I’ve reported the theft and shared the video with MPD.”

Also:

“Dear PoPville,

I was writing about an issue with Fed Ex. Basically my fiancé and I live in an 8 unit condo building off of Georgia Ave NW and Park Road. We have experienced numerous problems with delivery personnel leaving packages outside the building which inevitably are stolen or lost. Worst thing about it is when you contact FedEx they’re like, the package says it was left “on porch” or “at front door” which both equate to the street. Then they say you don’t get a refund because delivery was made- even if it wasn’t. Then there’s little recourse unless you buy from a merchant that believes your story.

Just curious if there are other Petworth residents dealing with similar delivery person issues. Some other similar instances have occurred when UPS and Amazon drivers but not as frequent as FedEx. A few unit owners in our building have also experienced similar issues as well. Maybe getting the word out will cause something to change. *we can hope*”

A reader reports a 1200 Block of V street NW Package Theft:

“The best part is when I reported it to the police, they told me that they had locked the same guy up earlier last week, and had released him the morning of the theft. Enjoy!”

A reader reports:

“She actually rips open the box and takes out the contents which was a thousand dollar LED light panel. A police officer came out and took my report.”

A reader writes from the 2100 block of 11th Street, NW:

“Looks like the guy was waiting across the street (inside the gated area of the common area of the Beauregard condo building) for the UPS guy to leave after dropping off the packages (we saw this from their security camera). So he comes over to my unit, grabs a box from upstairs, and two more boxes from downstairs. He takes them to the alley behind Beauregard, comes back to my house, grabs the 4th package. Takes it back to the alley behind Beauregard takes out all the stuff and leaves the empty boxes there. The still shots of him is from the security camera of the Beauregard.”

“Dear PoPville,

Our condo building, on the 1000 block of Harvard St NW, has been having an ongoing issue with package thefts.

Saturday afternoon, a man approached the back door to our building and rattled the door repeatedly. When we came into the hallway, to investigate the noise, he took off.

A few minutes later we saw him walking down the alley, now with several Amazon packages. When he noticed us watching he changed directions (it appeared he was originally going behind parked cars – I’m assuming to open the packages and ditch the boxes) and instead kept walking. Read More