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Petaluma PD announces GPS “bait package” program
 
With the holidays approaching, the Petaluma Police Department is taking a new approach to address the issue of porch package thefts. By using GPS tracking technology, the police department is turning the tables on would-be thieves.

The Petaluma Police Department is committed to reducing property crimes this holiday season by proactively catching thieves as they commit crimes.

During the holiday season, the theft of packages from porches has increased as online shopping has expanded over the years. Even those that track the shipping information online do not know exactly when the driver will be delivering the packages. There will always be a window of opportunity for thieves to steal packages.

The department is partnering with community members in Petaluma to place “bait packages” containing the GPS trackers both at homes, vehicles, and businesses throughout the city. Once the package is stolen, an alert occurs at the police department and within a few minutes, officers will be able to apprehend the suspect(s).

There will be multiple “bait packages” throughout the city, both during the holidays and beyond. These packages will look no different than any other package delivered to doorsteps by UPS or other shipping services.

The best protection is still prevention. To protect your packages from being stolen, there are a few things you can do:

• Have your packages delivered to a location where they can be received in person, such as your workplace or neighbor’s house, if allowed.

• Ask the delivery company to hold your package at their closest pick-up facility until you can pick it up.

• If purchasing from a larger retailer, consider having your package delivered to a local store for pick-up.

• Choose a specific delivery time when you will be home, if that is an option.

• Take advantage of delivery alerts so you can be notified when a package arrives at your home.

• Ask the shipper to require a signature confirmation of delivery, in order to prevent packages from being left when no one is home to sign for them.

• Provide delivery instructions so packages can be left out of sight from your yard or the road.

• Home security cameras are extremely helpful. If possible put a sticker on your front window or a sign in your yard letting potential thieves know your house is under surveillance.

• Doorbell cameras have become widely popular, as you receive a motion alert to your mobile phone when there is activity at your front door. You are able to both see and speak to the person from either inside your home or another location.