Corvallis police catch porch pirates in the act

Online orders are on the rise, and police are bringing back a successful program to catch thieves taking advantage this holiday season.

755- billion dollars.

The holiday season is here, and with a boom in online orders, the likelihood of theft from your front porch is higher than any other time of the year.

Kezi 9 news reporter kennedy dendy is live in corvallis to show us how police are gearing up to stop the thieves in their uite literally.

Kennedy?

Chynna, some residents here in corvallis today told me it porch pirate season.

However, this year, corvallis police are playing the roll of grinch for the bad guys.

They have a plan to catch these porch pirates in the act.

Vo- bait package program, corvallis lieutenant ryan eaton with the corvallis police department said that with an increase in online orders this year, more people will be getting packages delivered right to their front door.

Just this year alone, corvallis pd has received more than sixteen hundred reports of theft.

And that doesnt even include the osu campus and theft that doesnt get reported.

So police have pulled out a tactic that worked well in years past: their bait package program.

Fake packages have tracking devices inside and last year, it helped police make 4 arrests and cleared seven cases!

Ryan eaton lieutenant, corvallis police department we look at actual historical data about where packages have been stolen in the past.

And then we will utilize community partners in those neighborhoods and place the packages in there, so that we can try to increase the likelihood of having the package stolen and being able to make an arrest?

So what steps can you take to protect your packages?

He says when possible, make plans to receive the package when you know you will be home.

Have neighbors you trust look out for you if youe away.

You can also use security lighting to light up your porch or install cameras.

To report any theft, call the corvallis police department.

Coming up in the 5 o clock hour, i found out how residents are feeling.

Are they concerned or taking extra steps to protect their packages this year?

Live in corvallis kennedy dendy kezi 9