CLEVELAND — Tis the season for online shopping.
Like many, you may be waiting on a package to show up at your front door this time of year, but “porch pirates” are waiting for their opportunity to snatch up unattended packages, which could leave you or your kids disappointed this holiday season.
Many police departments across the country are working to put a stop to these thefts, including the city of Parma.
“I just think it’s been an ongoing issue here in the city of Parma, increasing in proportion as we get closer to the holidays,” said Sgt. Dave D’Eusanio, one of the officers who leads the S.T.O.P. program at the department.
The acronym stands for Stop Theft of Packages.
“The technology is advanced,” he said. “It goes into the bait package and when it’s moved, it activates basically our telephones or electronics. They identify areas of the city where thefts are happening more frequently, and if homeowners are willing to participate, police will place a bait package at their home.”
The bait package will include a device allowing them to track movement and — if the package is opened — they can begin recording to get an image of the suspect.
D’Eusanio said the program aims to catch those who break the law and also prevent further thefts from occuring.
Sometimes the packages that arrive on the front doorstep would be expensive holiday gifts, which could be gone when the family comes home, D’Eusanio said.
“So you know it could be heartbreaking, and it’s also very frustrating for us to have to deal with these crimes in the city of parma,” he said. “So we’re out there. We’re looking for these. We have the technology in place and we’re gonna catch you.”
