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Glitter bomb tricks parcel thieves

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Re: Glitter bomb tricks parcel thieves

#331

Post by bovermyer »

tivert wrote: post #256

If you're concerned about package thieves, just buy an outdoor cabinet and put it next to your door with a note asking that packages be placed in it. I use an Ikea Josef: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/storage-furniture/outdoo... You don't even need a lock for it. If you can get the deliverymen to consistently place packages in it, the thieves will have no idea if there's actually a package at your door to steal…

One fun psychological hack for this - paint an eye above or on said locker.

This is backed by research. For example: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-22270052

Re: Glitter bomb tricks parcel thieves

#333

Post by Brushfire »

stingraycharles wrote: post #224
Rainymood wrote: post #16

I'm honestly really shocked by how casually people seem to steal these parcels, like what the hell?

As a European, I'm surprised that the postal services in the US just leave the packages outside, rather than ringing the doorbell and/or delivering it to a neighbor. Over here in The Netherlands, pickup points are common (my local groceries store is one), you can choose your delivery time (also in the evening) and they will deliver it to a neighbor when I'm not home. Why not avoid this whole problem with any of these…

This does happen in many places, but I think you underestimate how much of the US is spread out over large areas. Suburbs are huge places. For example, here in Chicago, the suburbs extend for at least 20 miles in every direction... so to say this is an "Easy" challenge to solve is underestimating a bit for companies like Amazon or organizations like USPS.

Re: Glitter bomb tricks parcel thieves

#334

Post by alkonaut »

entity345 wrote: post #309
mmcwilliams wrote: post #303

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In California, New York and Rhode Island it's illegal to place a hidden video camera in a place where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy. These would be considered hidden video cameras. Not sure the severity of the charges in those states, but in other jurisdictions recording audio of conversations without all-party consent violates wiretapping laws and is a felony.

Well that's quite different from putting a CCTV on your front porch... which isn't a felony.

Filming the way these cameras show which include part of the street would probably be considered not-ok in many jurisdictions.

Re: Glitter bomb tricks parcel thieves

#335

Post by bovermyer »

scarejunba wrote: post #300
kawfey wrote: post #228

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I learned from Nextdoor, that a neighbor of mine put cat litter in an amazon box, and later found out her car's driver side window busted in and the litter dumped on the seat. I now just have packages sent to lockers and UPS/FedEX access points, and I know a few who have packages delivered to their office. The crappy part is that she captured clear detail of both events but police couldn't be bothered. Nest and Ring…

Maybe with ubiquitous accurate facial recognition we could name and shame these individuals. You could then be walking around and identifying criminals as you go, denying them service, food, shelter, or water. We could create isolated communities of criminals, wall off the rest of the world, and deliver ourselves from evil.

Escape From New York?

Re: Glitter bomb tricks parcel thieves

#336

Post by [deleted] »

mmcwilliams wrote: post #286
rdtsc wrote: post #173

This needs careful consideration if you ever decide to do it. Depending on the local criminal culture they could exact revenge. Then also know where you live and can do a lot worse things than taking a package. Police might later be involved but it might not be worth it. You are dealing with people who have no qualms stealing so it's not too crazy to expect other rash and illegal acts from them. I can also see some i…

Another thing that's risky about this approach is, depending on your jurisdiction, recording an individual (audio or video in some cases) without their consent is a felony.

[deleted]

Re: Glitter bomb tricks parcel thieves

#337

Post by roseburg »

Jyaif wrote: post #308
netsharc wrote: post #293

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Having lived in a "3rd world" country, I know the police there is useless, but it's interesting how things like resource issues (not enough manpower) is slowly turning living standards of rich countries like the US and UK towards "3rd world" levels.

Robbers and burglers basically have immunity now because the police is busy with... I'm not sure what.

Most departments are understaffed. Turns out all the negative press against police is having long term impacts on how many kids want to grow up and become a police officer.

Also property crimes always take a backseat to more violent crimes.

Re: Glitter bomb tricks parcel thieves

#338

Post by techaddict009 »

Parcel picking seems a huge problem in USA.

I am from India. I didnt know about this untill recent. I gifted Kindle fire stick to one friend in USA. They package was delivered and had note "Placed on Back Porch". I didnt notice that properly and then found it was picked up :P My friend didnt get it.

Thanks to amazon who bared the loss and recent one more again.

Hope govt. comes with some strict laws to fix this before it turns to huge.

Re: Glitter bomb tricks parcel thieves

#339

Post by dylan604 »

jboy55 wrote: post #278
rebbie wrote: post #270

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can try to press charges yourself. The police really don't want to help in such cases but I've found that once they know you are serious and have the proper evidence/witnesses they will at least steer you in the right direction.

You can't press charges yourself. You can go directly to the DA with your evidence and hope they press charges, but there is no role for you as a citizen to instigate a criminal preceding. https://blogs.findlaw.com/blotter/2015/12/pressing-charges-w... You could sue them in court.

Getting robbed is just the opening salvo in getting fleeced. The second round is the insurance company. Yes, I know insurance fraud exists, so one way the insurance companies "protect" themselves is to issue a check for a fraction of the value of the items stolen. They know most people will not replace the stolen items. If you do replace the items, then you have to re-submit your claim with the receipt to show it was actually replaced. They will then decide if they want to reimburse the difference from the original payout.

You're also left pretty defeated with the lack of response from the police, then you have the beat down with the insurance company. Asking the individuals to go after a civil suit is just too much. Had I known about it, I might have done it. The police nor the insurance ever suggested this was possible. Even still, what are the odds of actually receiving any payment from a civil suit win?

Re: Glitter bomb tricks parcel thieves

#340

Post by samstave »

bovermyer wrote: post #331
tivert wrote: post #256

If you're concerned about package thieves, just buy an outdoor cabinet and put it next to your door with a note asking that packages be placed in it. I use an Ikea Josef: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/storage-furniture/outdoo... You don't even need a lock for it. If you can get the deliverymen to consistently place packages in it, the thieves will have no idea if there's actually a package at your door to steal…

One fun psychological hack for this - paint an eye above or on said locker. This is backed by research. For example: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-22270052

@jdb here on HN had, at one time, installed a very conspicuous camera housing on his house although it had no camera in it.

Psychological deterrence.

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