Package Theft: Prevention Products and Procedures

Abstract

Theft of packages left unattended at residence is a problem that is becoming more significant as online shopping continues to increase, with approximately a 40% increase since the pandemic. This study aimed to examine products and procedures commonly available to the public based on price, convenience, and crime prevention techniques to provide consumers with a clearer understanding of how to protect against package theft. Twenty-two products and nine procedures were included in the study. The products and procedures were scored with a combination of situational crime prevention (SCP) techniques to observe how many each used, costs associated (if any) and received a scored based on convenience of daily use and installation. The results revealed, procedures (e.g., Amazon Hub) have more SCP techniques products (e.g., Danby Parcel Guard Smart Mailbox). However, products could score higher than procedures when layered with different types of products (i.e., using a doorbell camera with a lockable box), since they use more unique techniques. The price and amount of SCP techniques used showed little relationship. However, the higher the price, the less convenient the product was going to be. More techniques could be used in security layering, which could make a less expensive alternative to some of the most expensive anti-package theft products on the market while incorporating more protection. The convenience of each product and procedure was scored with being most convenient, medium, and least convenient. The prices of the products and procedures ranged from $0-$596.00.