TEMPLE, Texas — With amazing deals from Black Friday and Cyber Monday coming to a close, tons of packages are making their way to excited consumers and gift givers.
However, thieves target porches mercilessly this time of year.
Channel 6 reporter Cole Johnson spoke to a postal worker and police officers for tips on how to protect your precious packages ahead of the holidays.
Precautions from police departments:
Temple Police Department media relations specialist Ellen Morton said these tips will make a big difference in protecting your mail.
- Try to schedule mail to arrive when you will be home
- Ask a trusted neighbor to pick up your packages
- Have packages sent to your work address (make sure you have permission from your employer)
- Use an Amazon Locker or similar secure drop box service
- If you know you're going to be out of town, you can request your mail be held up to 30 days at the local post office
- Report any suspicious behavior to the police
- Call! Don't send a message on social media, as it may not be checked immediately.
- See something, say something
A Temple police officer said sending packages to a job is risky, because the business could be closed when the package arrives, or customers might not specify that it is their work address.
Killeen Police Department Lt. Frank Plowick said it's important for victims to call the police if their mail is stolen.
"Even if you don't have video or a picture or anything, if we don't know that there is a problem in your neighborhood, or that one of these thieves is prying on your neighborhood in particular, then the police department can't be on the lookout for them in that area," he said.
Killeen police said if you can identify the men in the pictures below, contact the department at 254-501-8830.
Tips from United States Postal Service:
U.S. postal inspector Kendall McDaniel from Houston sent a list of ways to protect packages.
The USPS said using its special services helps ensure the package ends up in the right hands by requiring a signature at the time of delivery.