Police Remind Homeowners To Protect Packages

Last month the Yakima Police Department sent out a news release urging residents to take extra precaution to protect packages. In light of recent events Yakima Police believe it’s important to get the word out again as we approach Christmas.  Several area homes have been burglarized in the last few days. Some of the items were recovered from a home in Yakima but the suspect or suspects are not in custody.  Thieves are following UPS and FedEx vehicles and once they see that a package has been delivered and that no one is home, they then steal the package or packages.  Here are a just a few steps you can take to protect packages.

• Leave a note and arrange pickup at the UPS or FedEx store.
• Contact UPS or FedEx and give them specific instructions in the event that no one is home.  Possibly arrange to have the package dropped off at a trustworthy neighbor.
• If you are shipping, ship the package to a location where you know someone will be available to receive it. For example, ship to an address, or to a trusted neighbor or loved one.
• Consider selecting the "signature required" option. This means FedEx or UPS will only leave your package if someone is there to sign for it.
• Even after a package is en route, you can redirect it to a nearby FedEx or UPS location for pickup.