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Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves

bbc.com

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Re: Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves

#41

Post by fladrif »

nikanj wrote: post #40
gojomo wrote: post #27

I wonder why stings/bait-items aren't used more often, when an area is facing a rash of specific kinds of crime, like bike theft, parked-car smash-and-grabs, and package theft. It's often a small number of violators – sometimes professional – who've been emboldened by early successes to scale up. So just a few stings, with adequate follow-through prosecution, could have a highly-leveraged effect on the overall rate.

It's the adequate follow-through prosecution that's the problem. Fines? Can't get blood from a stone. Jailtime? The cost-benefit analysis doesn't support that, prison time is expensive and petty theft doesn't really cause that much damage. I have no solution to offer here.

Community service, pays back the community, hopefully break-even cost in terms of administration and enforcement to labor productivity gained, at least won't be as bad as a prison sentence. At best can be a form of rehabilitation.

Re: Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves

#42

Post by throw-far-away »

Consider the several major factors in a given theft:

- economic hardship and/or thrill-seeking behavior - the former is influenced by economic conditions, economic equality and substance abuse

- perceived value of item

- perceived risk of getting caught

- perceived penalty if caught

Re: Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves

#43

Post by eloisius »

fladrif wrote: post #41
nikanj wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's the adequate follow-through prosecution that's the problem. Fines? Can't get blood from a stone. Jailtime? The cost-benefit analysis doesn't support that, prison time is expensive and petty theft doesn't really cause that much damage. I have no solution to offer here.

Community service, pays back the community, hopefully break-even cost in terms of administration and enforcement to labor productivity gained, at least won't be as bad as a prison sentence. At best can be a form of rehabilitation.

And when you don't do your community service because there's no consequences (because jails are already full and because you can't squeeze water from a stone), what happens?

Re: Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves

#44

Post by analog31 »

gojomo wrote: post #27

I wonder why stings/bait-items aren't used more often, when an area is facing a rash of specific kinds of crime, like bike theft, parked-car smash-and-grabs, and package theft. It's often a small number of violators – sometimes professional – who've been emboldened by early successes to scale up. So just a few stings, with adequate follow-through prosecution, could have a highly-leveraged effect on the overall rate.

So far as I know, my city uses bait bikes.

Re: Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves

#45

Post by tedunangst »

_fbpt wrote: post #38
lamarpye wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Probably because it is work and the police don't care. In California with Prop 47, it might not even be a crime to steal packages.

Why is this comment being downvoted?

Perhaps a direct quote from prop 47 would clarify how it makes theft not a crime.

Re: Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves

#46

Post by blacksmith_tb »

donarb wrote: post #31
Wehrdo wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Never had that experience, but I presume to prove it was delivered?

Photos also prevent customers taking advantage of companies who are ready to refund or replace “stolen” packages.

How so? Presumably packages are generally stolen after they've been delivered? So their photo proves it was on my porch, but it doesn't disprove that someone came along and stole it shortly after it was delivered... (my camera provides that video, however).

Re: Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves

#47

Post by dgzl »

cronix wrote: post #28

I haven't had any packages stolen for the last few years. We have a large "toy box" on the front porch/deck that has a padlock on it. When expecting deliveries, we just leave the lock unlocked and leave a note to put the delivery in the box and lock it. So far, so good! I can't say the same for my neighbor though. He was hit last week, and is now going to build a box. It was less than $60 to make (3/4" plywood, 2x4's…

I've looked into one-way package recieving devices before, and I think something would be best integrated into the person's home wall or door. A system like USPS mail drop boxes would be ideal.

Re: Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves

#50

Post by inerte »

blacksmith_tb wrote: post #46
donarb wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Photos also prevent customers taking advantage of companies who are ready to refund or replace “stolen” packages.

How so? Presumably packages are generally stolen after they've been delivered? So their photo proves it was on my porch, but it doesn't disprove that someone came along and stole it shortly after it was delivered... (my camera provides that video, however).

I once got a delivery notification, and when I got home he package wasn’t there. I thought someone stole, but then I read on the delivery notes that the package was put inside the mailbox.

It was 24 cans of soda and several other items. No way it was actually delivered that way.

So either it wasn’t and the delivery person lied, maybe to still get the delivery as completed (and therefore paid or count against a quota), or it was delivered and then stolen. I had no idea what it was, but called Amazon saying that I never received the package, and mentioned its delivery notes said the very large package was put inside the mailbox, clearly impossible. They re-sent my order promptly.

My point is that it’s super easy to say “hey Amazon you never delivered, send it again”. The picture is for the consumer as much as it is for Amazon, now they have irrefutable evidence that the package was in the right place for a while.

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