Holiday deliveries pile up fast, and police departments from Pittsburgh to Merced, California, have spent years warning that a box sitting on a porch is an easy target. Their advice boils down to five things never to do with packages left on the porch. A Security.org survey reported by NBC10 Boston found that 17% of Americans had a package stolen in the past three months and 44% at some point in their lives.
The same handful of habits come up again and again in police advice, and each one has a simple fix.
Never Leave Deliveries Sitting When No One Is Home
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police said it is important to be aware of thieves looking for easy items to steal, and its advice, reported by KDKA, is to schedule deliveries for when someone is home or have the carrier hold the package at its facility. The shorter the time a box spends outside, the fewer chances thieves get. Home security basics apply too, as laid out in a list of home security mistakes that quietly invite burglars.
Merced police made a similar point in November 2025, telling residents to track deliveries and make sure someone is home or able to receive valuables, according to ABC30. A front-door camera also helps, a point explored in a look at Ring cameras for a busy front door. The New York attorney general’s office adds that USPS Smart Lockers and Hold Mail Service are options when no one will be around, according to a December 2024 consumer alert.
Never Ship to a Home Where No One Is Around
Some addresses are simply riskier than others, especially ones where nobody is home during the day. Pittsburgh police advise using the address of someone who is home more frequently. Washington Township, New Jersey, police echo that idea in a December 2025 notice, suggesting delivery to a relative, neighbor or friend who will be there, or holding packages at a local post office.
Rochester, New Hampshire, police suggest a workplace or a trusted person who will be home. Away from home, boxes can pile up unnoticed. A guide to mistakes many people make when leaving the house empty for the holidays covers the rest of that checklist, while a piece on luggage sets for holiday trips and another on carry-on suitcases for Thanksgiving help with the packing side. Washington Township police also advise a vacation hold when away.
Never Leave Packages in View
Rye Brook, New York, Police Chief Gregory Austin described package theft as a crime of opportunity, a line reported by CBS New York. The takeaway is to keep boxes out of sight. The report’s tips include having delivery services leave packages at a side or rear door, requiring a signature, sending packages to a workplace or a neighbor, or using a locker such as Amazon Locker.
Holiday shipping deadlines drive the surge of deliveries, and the USPS cutoffs are summarized in a look at the Dec. 17, 18 and 19 holiday shipping dates. Common slipups in the season are covered in a list of holiday shopping mistakes to avoid before Black Friday, and the connected-door gear that goes with them is previewed in a look at what smart homes will really look like in 2026 and beyond.
Never Confront the Thief
When a theft happens in view, police say to stay back. Stoneham, Massachusetts, police advised against confronting a thief, according to NBC10 Boston: note the person’s appearance, any vehicle and the license plate, and pass the details to police.
Pittsburgh police offered the same approach. If someone is seen stealing a package, write down the time, date and the person’s appearance, then call 911. Pittsburgh police also note that surveillance cameras can deter theft and help detectives if a home is targeted.
Never Skip the Report
A missing package is easy to shrug off, but police ask that it be reported. NBC10 Boston’s reporting on the Stoneham tips lays out the steps: confirm with the delivery company that the package was actually delivered, report the theft to law enforcement, and notify the shipping company or retailer. The New York attorney general’s alert adds that stolen mail should be reported to local police right away, then to Postal Inspectors at (877) 876-2455.
Merced police advise saving any video and photos as evidence. In Frisco, Texas, police told Community Impact that residents can call 911 for emergencies, the non-emergency line at 972-292-6010, or use the Frisco Police mobile app, and Officer Shilson described reporting suspicious activity as “just neighbors looking out for each other.”
Washington Township police also advise tracking deliveries and turning on retailer notifications, requiring signature confirmation, and installing a video doorbell or security system that covers the porch. Their notice closed with a reminder not to get complacent, and to keep the precautions in place beyond the holiday season.
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This article was produced with AI assistance and edited for accuracy against the sources linked above.
