Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Partners With Amazon To Combat Holiday Package Theft

[Worcester] – Sheriff Lew Evangelidis and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office are partnering with Amazon this holiday season to help residents safeguard their deliveries from package theft. With more people shopping online than ever before, porch piracy continues to be a growing concern nationwide, especially during the busy holiday months.

This initiative is part of a broader nationwide effort led by the National Sheriffs’ Association to raise awareness about simple, proactive steps customers can take to prevent theft and help law enforcement focus on higher-priority calls during the holiday season.

“Package theft is more than an inconvenience during a season meant for celebration. It diverts valuable law enforcement resources,” said Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis. “When residents take simple steps to safeguard their deliveries, it helps us focus our efforts on the emergencies and critical calls that matter most.”

KEEPING YOUR PACKAGES SAFE

In partnership with Amazon, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office recommends the following strategies to help reduce the risk of package theft:

• Track Your Packages: Use Amazon’s real-time Map Tracking feature on Amazon.com or the Amazon app to see exactly when a delivery will arrive.
• Choose Hidden Drop-Off Spots: Provide delivery instructions through the Amazon app or website to have packages placed in a discreet location.
• Use Pickup Locations: Amazon offers more than 25,000 secure package pickup sites nationwide, allowing customers to choose delivery to home, work, Amazon Lockers, or partner locations.
• Share Tracking: Amazon’s Share Tracking tool allows you to share delivery details with trusted friends or family who can retrieve packages if you’re not home.
• Check Delivery Photos: Review the confirmation photo provided by Amazon to verify where your package was placed.
• Select a Delivery Window: In areas where Same-Day Delivery is available, customers may choose a specific delivery window that best fits their schedule.

“While the vast majority of packages make it to customers without any issue, we know how frustrating it can be when criminals get in the way,” said Gilad Solnik, Amazon’s Director of Worldwide Security Operations. “Amazon has many features and technologies built into the delivery experience to help keep packages secure this holiday season and throughout the year.”

IF YOU EXPERIENCE PACKAGE THEFT

If you believe your package has been stolen, we encourage you to take the following steps:

1. Report the theft to your local police department.
2. Contact Amazon Customer Service through the app or website for 24/7 assistance.
3. Check with neighbors to see if they received your package by mistake or noticed any suspicious activity.

The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to keeping our community safe this holiday season and year-round. By working together with residents and partners like Amazon, we can reduce theft and help ensure a happier, safer holiday season for everyone.

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