Make sure to give the dummy boxes some weight. Put something in there that you would

ugh... sorry for the double post. Mobile browser fail I guess.

I wanted to suggest that you give the box some weight so that a would-be thief would have to expend some time and effort to determine if the package was fake it not. For example, you could put something in there that you would like to get rid of, or perhaps some literature you would like the would be thief to read. Don't for get to include glitter, so as to mitigate the would-be thief's disappointment.

I think this is a great idea but want to add -- the decoy box not only needs to have some weight but be sealed up in a realistic way (not Scotch tape) -- enjoying myself now imagining fun things to put inside such decoy packages, a la The Big Lebowski ;)

Can you email me? Lisa@SoHunewhaven.org. Channel 3 wants to do a story on this....

I love it!

We also were hit yesterday on lower Edwards at Nash. Frustrating to say the least. Edwards also makes for a quick getaway.

Just a followup. Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions. Yes, the more weight (or more sounds it makes), the better. Two quick items: (1) you don't have to do this every day. In fact, the more random, the better, since that prevents the theives from clueing in which boxes are decoys; and (2) we don't need everyone to participate, just enough to clutter up the streets enough so that the thieves are slowed down or discouraged. So don't be discouraged if your neighbors aren't doing it (yet); you can make a difference on your own.

Of course, what if the thieves read SCF?

Hahahaha. Good one mrsevnable.

I hope they're reading SCF. The faster and wider the word spreads, the more effective this will be!

You need to call UPS or FedEx and report your package stolen. You can also have them leave packages in the back yard / by the back door / with a neighbor if you are not home. My UPS driver always leaves packages on my back porch if I'm not home. If UPS and FedEx know there is a problem, they will do what they can to solve it. Stolen packages make them look bad.

Package thieves probably watch the couriers drop the packages off and then steal the package as soon as the coast is clear. Therefore, the decoys might not work as well as we would like. The delivery companies should start delivering their own decoys to defray the compensation costs they have to pay for stolen packages. Of course, it's probably easier for them to keep doing what they already do: defray the overhead with higher prices.

This problem is epidemic in Fair Haven as well. We too have thought about "dummy boxes" but I plan on scooping the contents of the litter box into it to give it some weight.

After further thought, I have decided to close this issue. The major couriers have already addressed this problem as much as they can by attempting to work around people's particular receiving situations, as others have mentioned, and socializing the cost of stolen packages. Socialism, in one form or another, is really the only answer to problems such as package theft. Putting out dummy packages is just shenanigans and won't really accomplish anything.

Thanks, KLP, for your feedback. I believe it is more effective to implement a solution and see if it works rather than prejudge its conclusion. If you don't want to participate, that's fine, but let others use SCF as a springboard for ideas. The beauty of this solution is that you win both ways: if it works, you get the benefit of fewer stolen packages. If it doesn't work, you get to post that you were right all along.

What will it take to mark the issue as closed, then?

It strikes me as premature to close this issue when it's had almost 300 views in less than a day. What's the hurry? We could try this in our respective areas and then compare notes, for example. There's no downside to leaving it open, only upside.

I don't see a reason to close it until we can compare notes. If someone doesn't want to get the updates, there is a way to remove yourself from the thread/conversation.

I don't see a reason to close it until we can compare notes. If someone doesn't want to get the updates, there is a way to remove yourself from the thread/conversation.

Sorry for the double post - I got some weird message when I tried to post the first time.

I guess I should rephrase the question: how can such an issue be resolved? How do we define "resolved"? Is East Rock forever to have a problem with package theft according to SeeClickFix?

Absolutely brilliant idea!

The police are talking to this gentleman who a neighbor tailed today after he was caught taking packages off neighbor's doorsteps.

Here is the full story. At 3:30 today, a Clark St neighbor saw him as she was leaving her house. She decided to follow him. He walked down Clark, to Pleasant, To Humphrey. At 324Humphrey he took a package off of the porch. She confronted him and made him put it back. She also made him show her the contents of his back pack, which was all toiletries. He begged her not to call the police, said she'd changed his life and he'd never do it again. He waked down Humphrey toward Fair Haven. She DID call the police. The came and took a report. Fast forward to 6:15. My brother is coming back from walking his dog and he sees the same man leaving a yard from across the street with a box that he puts on my front porch. Guess what? Its the decoy box filled with rocks and various other junks. The man claimed he was being a good citizen by returning the (opened) box. the only problem is my decoy box had a mailing address in North Haven - so the only way he'd know it came from my porch was if he'd taken it from there. The man dropped he box, and took off running down Pearl to State. I recweived follow up emails sying he turned up Humphrey toward Fair Haven. Fast Forward to 8:30 where I receive a call from a Clark St neighbor who sees the same man walking on Humphrey. He called the PD. Fast forward to 9:30 when I get a call from a Bishop St neighbor who is following said man, who had called it in to the PD but wanted me to know. I sent a text to our new district manager. The man figured out he was being followed and stepped into Portifino's restaurant. A few minutes later he came out to be greeted by the NHPD. In the meantime, I called the Clark st person who had confronted him earlier, and she went right over and ID'd the man. And here is a pic of his arrest. East Rock folks are wicked cool! Thanks to J, K, D, E, and K. That's what being good neighbors is all about. Did we convince KLP?

Convince? It was my idea to weight the box. Is this issue resolved now?

This is not the person that we suspect is stealing packages in the Front Street neighborhood. Thanks for posting the picture.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this happen. Great to see the community come together on this. Thanks, too, to the police for responding. Sorry to hear that this isn't your person, Frontstreeter, but hopefully you can set something similar up. Sure, KLP, why don't you go ahead and close the issue. If the problem persists, rest assured we'll open another ticket.

What changed between me originally marking this issue as closed and now that made the issue okay to close?

Uh - the man was arrested.

Hey Lisa,
Just to clarify they had not arrested him yet when I was there. Do you know if the other folks said they did finally arrest him?

Lt Blanchard said they were arresting him,. And the officer I was speaking with told me he was arresting him. And Kim and Duncan saw him cuffed and put into the squad car.

Good idea in regards to the empty ups/fed-ex box on the doorstep, better yet would be to place a little present inside , instead of tossing away your bagged doggie goodies place them in a box , maybe in a shoe, a ruby slipper , put a note in it saying , Here's to you You piece of S#&%

Looks like we're going to have to stay vigilant in the SOHU area given this man's reappearance tonight. Let's stay on him; hopefully he gets frustrated and leaves. Or, better yet, the police get tired of us phoning and they do something about it.

He reappeared tonight?

Yes he did. And this is a description from a police officer as to why:
Hey Lisa,

Just a heads up on how arrests work... More than likely he was given a summons if an arrest was made. These summonses are basically promise to appears that say they will show up on the court date. Depending on one's criminal history (or lack thereof), they may be given this PTA or be brought in for fingerprinting. If he was brought in for fingerprinting, that doesn't mean that he's stuck "in jail". Again, they have the opportunity to receive a promise to appear or can be held on bond. If they are held on bond, one can use a bondsman for 10% of the bond and be released for court.

But, please don't think that because he spoke to the police he was arrested. Often, these interactions are used to identify the individuals and based on evidence either arrest or give a warning.

Unfortunately, people often assume that when an arrest is made, the individual will spend a long time in lockup or be off the streets for a significant period of time.

Just thought I'd share my $.02 because I realize that people may not be familiar with how the process works.

Thanks Lisa,
Very helpful!!

In four years, we have had at least six packages stolen from our condo vestibule, following delivery confirmation and placement by postal delivery workers, UPS, FedEx, etc. behind the first (unlocked) door of our building. We and some of our neighbors have responded in two ways:

1) Having as much mail as possible sent to work addresses, instead of to home.
2) Working with neighbors to bring any packages we see past the first locked door of our building, and even holding packages for neighbors if they are not at home.

The second form of response has meant some more positive contact with neighbors, and the combination seems to be working. However, the phenomenon of these ongoing thefts is a serious problem.

By the looks of the picture i'd say that is not an arrest.Due to experience with the NHPD I have a hunch that's a meeting between them and an informant , it became a bad turn when their "buddy" is a petty sneak thief , one would need a case number and appear in court etc.Don't let the cop shoo you away

Wow, that is a pretty inflammatory statement you are making! Lt Blanchard wasn't even there for the arrest. There were 4 officers and they were all young officers. How can you make such a statement with out having any first hand knowledge of what happened. The man WAS arrested. It is no officer's fault if he he made bail, or was released with a promise to appear. It is frustrating, yes, but not dirty. Sheesh.

Wow! Lisa, thanks for your post. The one from "Student Meg" is potentially libelous. I always appreciate your voice of reason on this site.

@Lisa: This issue pertains to package theft in the neighborhood of East Rock rather than a particular thief, who may or may not have been caught. How does his possible apprehension qualify this issue as resolved?

NHPD came to my door today. Someone called in a theft from my property (I'm guessing it was a package for the upstairs unit). No description.

51 Clark

It's not far from the truth at all - In regards to Billy White it's spot on - Det.Willoughby was arrested for pilfering snitch funds , the city allocates money to pay neighborhood specialist and others to be informants..In regards to any apprehended person at the least they'll spend a night in jail , I doubt somebody bonded this person out - I hate to be wrong about someone and honestly feel bad but I was probably right

Does anyone have any updates on this? Still happening? New info?

We are trying to delineate issues that are current and need the city's attention to resolve. Any issues prior to 2013 are being closed. If your issue remains and needs to be addressed by the city, please either re-open or open as a new See Click Fix issue. Thanks.