package theft

“He seems to be fairly inebriated (stairs are hard!)”

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

This one is from Friday 2/10 at 1:28pm near 10th & Spring NW. He seems to be fairly inebriated (stairs are hard!) and misses the pretty obvious fact that we have camera in plain view but thinks ahead enough to wrap the box up in an extra coat to hide it as he walks away. The box contained a present from a family member that was largely sentimental and not really of significant monetary value so that’s tough news since we know the chances of recovery are super slim. I’ve reported it to MPD via the online reporting form anyhow and thought I’d send it your way, too….”

We are entering the Package Theft Playoff Season – Be Extra Vigilant if Possible

By Prince Of Petworth

Package theft

“Dear PoPville,

Here is yet another in the string of package thieves caught on tape…we live on Delafield between Arkansas and Georgia. This gentleman just laid down on our porch and took two Amazon packages (as well as Shutterfly Christmas cards) that were delivered about an hour prior. The police believe he has been following UPS trucks and then circling back shortly after delivery to steal the packages–which is exactly what happened to us.”

“clip of a fairly brazen package theft”

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

I thought I’d send you this clip of a fairly brazen package theft at my house on 12th and O NW. I contacted UberEats about it (since he is wearing an UberEats backpack) and they said they would investigate the matter internally, but no word back. He took the item out of the box and then threw the box in my yard.”

Amazon To Solve the Package Theft Problem Once and For All?

By Prince Of Petworth

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Thank to a reader for sending No more missed deliveries: Amazon trials technology that will let drivers leave parcels INSIDE your home:

“The retailer is reportedly planning to trial ‘home access’ deliveries, where drivers are given one-off access to a customer’s home to leave the package.

According to Endgadget, two companies close to Amazon are looking at developing smart locks which would provide delivery drivers with a code for a customer’s garage or hallway, where they could leave the package.”

Is this something you’d be comfortable doing? Of course you’ll still have to pay that sales tax…

“Are there similar services that we don’t know about?”

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

My wife and I are moving back into the city after a short mistaken stint in the burbs. We’ll be moving into an apartment in a renovated townhouse, which means there is no front desk or foyer. While we’re looking forward to our return, we just came to an odd realization this week that I had never really considered – any packages that are delivered will be left on the doorstep, and package theft is a standard (and sad) part of city life. And yet, we’ve come to rely on these deliveries for everything from pet food to home goods.

We can’t be the only people who have pondered this, and I’m wondering if anyone in PoPville knows of a solution to get packages delivered from non-USPS mail handlers (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.). Amazon has lockers, but the closest one is in Arlington. I’ve read about services in other cities that accept packages for you and stay open late so that you can get them after work. Are there similar services that we don’t know about?”

Today in Package Theft Videos – Hill East and Dupont

By Prince Of Petworth

“We’re over on Hill East and figured you guys probably aren’t sick of package theft videos just yet. We had one stolen at 6:08pm tonight (12/10/2015) off our front stoop, but at least we get to see this guy while he’s stealing it! I reported it to the police, but I’m not exactly hopeful he’ll be punished.

I think Phase II of my camera system should include some kind of electrical discharge…”

and in Dupont:

“This video of a package thief was captured on Corcoran St between 17th and New Hampshire on December 8.

Additional video shows the individual scoping out the front steps and walking around the block several times. In this instance, the package was sitting on the front steps for about three hours between 1pm and 4pm.

Apparently the contents of the packages were not appealing enough to steal, as the individual sliced open the tops of boxes, removed the contents, but chose not to take them with him.”

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