COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — While the holiday season is meant to be full of joy, police say it is also a time for more "porch pirate" activity.
“We’re trying to keep the Christmas spirit alive and then it's just getting ripped away," Emma Bartlett said.
Barlett lives with her roommates Emma Woolnough and Alivia Eshelman in a duplex in an off-campus neighborhood. A thief recently stole a package off their porch. It was meant for their neighbor in the duplex.
A Ring doorbell camera captured the crime. The roommates said the package was only there for about 10 minutes when it was stolen in the middle of the day.
“It was honestly kind of shocking because I mean you would think with a camera and not that long of time with the package being delivered you would be okay to not grab it, but no, they came up, didn't care about the camera," Woolnough said.
About 30 packages are stolen every day during most of the year according to Sgt. James Fuqua with the Columbus Division of Police (CPD). He said that number increases by about 20% during November and December.
“It doesn't matter what zip code you live in; package thieves are stealing things all across the city," Fuqua said.
He said there's been an increase in thieves following delivery trucks and taking packages right after they are dropped off. According to Fuqua, more porch pirates are working in pairs, with one as a lookout. The division shared a video from earlier this year of a porch pirate leaving in a rental truck.
“This time of year a lot of parents are getting gifts for their kids and some people can't afford to lose a package that is delivered and they might not have that ability and then there's no more Christmas for that young person and that can be completely devastating to some families," Fuqua said.
He suggested requiring a signature for deliveries, having a family member or neighbor pick up packages as soon as they are delivered, getting packages dropped off at lockboxes or stores, or having them delivered to work.
