Introduction
Package theft has become a significant issue in recent years, largely due to the rise in online shopping. According to a report from a CNBC News article, “the total annual loss to this type of theft is an estimated $19.5 billion” (O’Brien par. 9). The data emphasizes the widespread scale of the package theft issue and demonstrates that the problem affects individual customers as well as different organizations and businesses.
The issue’s spread is especially observable in the Woodland Hills community in California. Addressing the issue of package theft requires understanding its causes and defining effective solutions that can be implemented without delays. Among the proposed solutions for secure delivery, community engagement, technological approaches, and law enforcement measures, secure delivery presents the most effective option that can be promptly implemented with the efforts of delivery companies and the government’s support.
Causes of Package Theft
The issue of package theft presents a complex problem that affects many people. According to a survey conducted by Miller and Blumstein, “nearly 60 million Americans have been affected by package theft in the past year” (516). This statistic highlights the widespread nature of the problem and its systematic character. Furthermore, the poll revealed that “40% of respondents had experienced a parcel stolen more than once,” underscoring the persistent nature of the problem and customers’ vulnerability (Miller and Blumstein 517).
When assessing the presence of a problem in the Woodland Hills community in California, it is essential to gather neighbors’ opinions about the issue. In Miami, my neighbor in Woodland Hills, California, stated, “I’ve had multiple packages stolen from my front porch. It’s frustrating and makes me feel violated” (Garcia). The statement shows that the problem deprives people of their property and affects locals’ sense of security. Therefore, in addition to facing distress caused by financial losses, victims of package theft can also experience severe emotional distress, which points to the urgency of addressing the problem.
The problem of package theft is not limited to residential areas. According to Miller and Blumstein, “package theft has also become a serious problem for businesses” (520). The article draws examples of small businesses losing thousands of dollars due to package theft. In one case, a business owner stated that they “had about $6,000 worth of merchandise stolen,” demonstrating the significant impact of this problem on small businesses (Miller and Blumstein 521).
Quotes from friends and local acquaintances can also illustrate the extent of the problem in conditions other than porch piracy. For instance, my friend Shania said, “I’ve had multiple packages stolen from my apartment complex. It is frustrating because I don’t have a car, so I rely on online shopping for many things” (Jones). This quote highlights how package theft can disproportionately affect certain population groups, such as those without access to transportation. Thus, it is possible that in some critical cases where people are forced to stay at home due to health problems, package thieves can steal medications delivered to their doorsteps.
Furthermore, more examples of package theft cases from friends and acquaintances assert the severity of the problem. A friend recently shared their experience with package theft, saying, “I had a package delivered, and when I came home, it was nowhere to be found. I checked with my neighbors, but nobody had seen anything.”
Another friend shared a similar experience: “I ordered a gift for my mom’s birthday, and when it arrived, someone had already taken it from my doorstep. It was so frustrating” (Williams). These personal accounts demonstrate that package theft is a genuine problem that can affect anyone. Moreover, the examples show that, in addition to worrying about financial losses, people experience frustration due to the inconveniences caused by package loss, such as being unable to give a gift to a close person.
With more people opting for home delivery due to the impact of recent events, such as the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing policies, the scale of the problem has extended into the post-pandemic world. According to Koch et al., “e-commerce has been predominant during the COVID-19 pandemic, and retailers have put much effort into building, improving, and promoting their online stores” (2). More opportunities for thieves to steal packages from doorsteps cause more people in the local community to feel vulnerable and helpless.
Moreover, the pandemic was accompanied by increased unemployment rates and economic challenges, which contributed to people’s resort to theft. The study by Afridi et al. states that “pandemic-related financial insecurity is a major contributing factor” in the growth of the package theft issue (1829). Therefore, the effects of the pandemic on the growth of online shopping, combined with economic challenges, contributed to the spread of package theft.
Another important factor in parcel theft is the high crime rates in some areas. The research conducted by Stickle et al. claims that “rural areas have more problems with package theft” (2). Theft of packages from these locations often forms part of a larger pattern of criminal behavior, including theft from cars and home invasions. High crime rates also make locals uneasy and distrustful in communication with neighbors, which may encourage more people to steal packages. In organized crime groups, package theft can often be followed by the further sale of stolen property (FBI, par. 28).
Thus, package theft issues cannot be perceived as individual cases of pranks or kleptomania, and the issue can reflect the financial situation in the neighborhood. According to a study by Ikurayeke et al., “the lack of secure delivery options, such as package lockers or in-home delivery, makes package theft easier” (45). Without such alternatives, parcels are left open to theft, which makes it easier for thieves to take advantage of the circumstances. Therefore, secure delivery options are one possible measure that can be taken to resolve the issue.
Potential Solutions
Secure Delivery Options
Focusing on the core cause of the problem, a secure delivery option presents a prominent potential solution to the issue of package theft. The measure allows for reducing the number of packages left unattended, limiting opportunities for thieves’ activity. Thus, according to Stickle et al., the solution focuses on delivering the packages directly to the receiver, inside the house, or to a “lockable box on a private porch” (10).
The measure also implies requesting customers’ signature confirmation upon delivery. While the solution incurs additional financial expenses, many courier service companies employ this method for ensuring safe delivery. According to Hurst, real-time tracking can support the fact of package loss by showing “where your package was last registered or the date it was delivered” (par. 5). Thus, despite being more time demanding from the customer’s side, the solution will ensure the fact of package reception. Therefore, retailers and customers who prioritize secure delivery of their packages will be interested in having more secure delivery options.
Community Engagement
Local community involvement in the fight against package theft presents another possible solution to the problem. The solution focuses on preventing package theft in separate neighborhoods. Thus, Stickle et al. claim that the measure encourages residents to be alert “about who should be approaching homes” (11).
The measure can also include improvements in local surveillance systems or the creation of neighborhood watch programs. In comparison with the solution proposed earlier, community involvement does not require additional financial expenses. The measure can be limited to increasing the residents’ awareness of the package theft issue. However, according to Hicks et al., the solution “may foster fear, rather than dissuade it” (400). Therefore, the solution’s efficiency in addressing the issue can be compromised by a lack of communication and trust between neighbors.
Technological Solutions
Technological advancement can offer more solutions to the package theft issue. For example, according to Sudharsan et al., new home surveillance cameras can “perform video analytics tasks such as object detection” (7). The technology can be used to identify thieves and prevent further cases of package theft. Furthermore, innovations such as bright delivery boxes, secure lockers, and even drone delivery can transform the delivery industry by providing safer and more practical options (Stickle et al. 80).
However, many potential technological solutions still require the customer’s presence to receive the package. Therefore, while technological advancement cannot represent a separate independent solution to the problem, combining it with other solutions can increase their efficiency. For example, secure delivery with drones can reduce the need for additional workers. Security systems can also point to active threats and direct neighbor patrols to the place of potential theft.
Law Enforcement Measures
Effective law enforcement strategies are important in the fight against package theft. According to Chernoff, increasing “the perceived risk of getting caught and punished” can reduce the risks of package theft (6). Therefore, law enforcement authorities can actively pursue and apprehend people involved in package theft to prevent further cases. Increasing the chances for customers to return their packages is also possible with law enforcement’s participation. Stickle et al. note that police currently “list package theft within a broad ‘catch-all’ statute of larceny-theft,” complicating the process (401).
Thus, a collaboration between law enforcement organizations and delivery services can make finding and returning lost packages significantly easier. Moreover, McKay explains that “few porch piracy incidents are reported to police” (458). The quote demonstrates the importance of effective law enforcement strategies in eliminating package theft consequences. Moreover, law enforcement-led public awareness programs can inform communities about the effects of parcel theft and offer instructions on preventing and reporting such crimes. Therefore, law enforcement strategies can effectively prevent the issue and address the consequences.
Evaluating the Solutions
All proposed solutions can make significant contributions to addressing the problem of package theft. However, the information about the causes of package theft defined earlier in the paper determined that unsafe delivery options present the leading cause of the issue. Therefore, the most effective solution will be the one that will reduce the number of packages left unattended. According to Hicks et al., consumers avoid “buying expensive items online because they were afraid their orders would get stolen” (415).
Secure delivery options can limit the opportunities for criminals to steal packages and increase consumers’ confidence in the safety of their packages. In comparison, law enforcement measures to increase the public’s awareness of the issue, but the solution “may foster fear, rather than dissuade it” (Hicks et al. 400). Technological solutions, such as improved home monitoring systems, cannot directly stop thieves from taking the packages, reducing the solutions’ efficiency. Moreover, technological solutions can require significant financial investments in delivery services, which can increase shipping costs.
Furthermore, combining several measures can increase the primary solution’s efficiency. For example, McKay explains that technological advancement measures can be used to identify thieves and send them a “civil demand letter demanding a sum of money as restitution for the value of the goods stolen” (474). This change will simplify the process of issuing compensation for package theft victims.
Currently, the punishment for stealing mail “appropriated from fewer than ten addressees” is up to one year in jail (McKay 460). The introduction of more strict punishments for package thieves can prevent others from engaging in criminal activity. Community engagement can limit the overall level of criminal activity in different locations and support positive communication between neighbors.
Implementation of the Solution
Considering the potential implementation of the solution, it is important to acknowledge that the provision of secure delivery options primarily relies on delivery services. Moreover, the implementation can require significant financial investments, threatening the survival of smaller local courier firms. Therefore, the implementation must be carried out with a complex and gradual approach.
The government’s support for private delivery service companies may also help implement the solution. While the issue seemingly presents a non-serious problem presented by individual theft cases, the issue’s scale deserves attention from the state. Additional measures can include the participation of insurance companies in the creation of fast package insurance procedures. According to McKay, consumers are limited in “initiating a suit because the median loss is $220” (471).
Therefore, in addition to a safe delivery system, the implementation can introduce changes to support the quick processing of package theft claims in court. According to recent articles, shoppers can only use credit card “purchase protection features” and homeowners insurance, which “won’t make sense for most stolen packages” (Hurst para. 17). Thus, developing additional insurance measures can reduce shoppers’ financial losses.
Furthermore, combining elements from different solutions can increase their efficiency. Implementing a secure delivery options solution can include additional measures in community involvement, law enforcement measures, and technological advancement. According to Sudharsan et al., new sensors in home security cameras can “detect FedEx, USPS vehicles” (7). Thus, increasing consumers’ awareness about suspicious activity in their neighborhood can motivate them to choose secure delivery options. While Hicks et al. suggested that police measures to increase the public’s awareness of the problem “may foster fear, rather than dissuade it”, the availability of alternative delivery methods can have a positive effect (400).
One of the possible alternative solutions, which can also be supported by technological advancement, is installing parcel locker stations in areas with the most frequent cases of package theft. In this case, the local neighborhood watch can regularly monitor the locker station to ensure its safety. In cases of break-ins, parcel locker stations can automatically send reports containing information about stolen packages to law enforcement agencies. The measure will speed up the process of searching for thieves and returning packages, reducing consumer stress and frustration.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this essay explored the issue of package theft in the Woodland Hills community in California. The essay defined secure delivery as the most effective option among the proposed solutions of community engagement, technological advancement, and law enforcement measures. The solution can be implemented in the near future as it mainly relies on the efforts of delivery service companies. However, governmental support and a combination of additional elements in the implementation can improve the measures’ efficiency.
Works Cited
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