GLOUCESTER TWP., N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — ‘Tis the season for online shopping ahead of the holidays — and one Camden County town is putting out bait in an attempt to catch porch pirates.
Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins says package thefts are crimes of opportunity, which they see more of during the holiday season, with all the extra online shopping deliveries.
“This happens normally in the afternoons when the packages start getting delivered,” he explained. “[It’s] often in apartment complexes but even in residences and businesses, you know, there are opportunities.”
To counter them, officers are strategically placing dummy packages loaded with GPS trackers to entice thieves.
“We’d just like to warn everybody, if you think you’re going to steal packages here in Gloucester Township, you never know what you’re gonna get,” said Harkins. “The packages that you may take may be being tracked. And you may have a police car behind you, stopping you and arresting you.”
Harkins says police have partnered with residents, businesses and management at some apartment buildings to get permission to place the dummy packages. He has also urged people to keep an eye out for pirates.
“Call us and let us know when this is happening,” he said, “because that’s how we get the information.”