Thieves Targeting Unattended Packages at Mount Vernon Area Homes

The Mount Vernon District has recently seen a rash of thefts of packages left on porches, according to Fairfax County police.

The thefts affect packages delivered by the U.S. Postal Service and package delivery service companies. Shipping companies often no longer require signatures for deliveries, and valuable items are left unsecured on front porches.

Police are urging local residents to plan ahead if they know a package will be delivered while they are away from home, out of town or even at work. Officers have suggested the following tips to secure packages as soon as possible:

• Have the package delivered to your work address (if allowed by your employer).
• Have the shipping company hold the package at a local distribution hub for in-person pick-up.
• Have a trusted neighbor ready to bring the package inside soon after delivery.

Valuable packages left in plain sight are not only tempting targets for thieves, but they also provide prowlers with a good indication that no one is home, police said.