With the arrival of the Christmas Season caution should be exercised by county residents. The Sheriff’s Office receives an increase in calls during the holidays for mail theft, package theft, burglary, and telephone scams. All residents are encouraged to not leave packages on their porches and to watch their neighborhoods for suspicious activity. Never release any personal information over the telephone to anyone allowing credit card fraud and identity theft. Do not leave anything of value in your car. Remain mindful that thieves choose the holiday season to commit crimes of opportunity and your heightened awareness can save you and your neighbors the discouragement of becoming a victim and spoiling your holiday season.
In years past, residents of El Dorado County have experienced package delivery thefts in the month of December. The thefts usually occur after a package was delivered to your doorstep. Thieves have been known to follow delivery trucks to residences. Once a package is dropped off they will wait a few moments before taking it. Most of these thefts occur in neighborhoods where thieves can see the packages from the street.
To assist in the prevention of these thefts please consider the following:
• Require a signature on all package deliveries. You can also write specific instructions on where to leave your package.
• Have your packages delivered to you at work, or an alternate destination like a friend or family member who is home during the day.
• Have the package delivered to a FedEx, or UPS location.
• Insure the package.
• Some delivery companies offer email or text alerts when your package is going to be delivered, and upon its delivery.
If you are a victim of a package theft, or see something suspicious in your neighborhood please call the Sheriff’s Office at (530) 621-6600 or during an emergency, dial 911.
For neighborhood watch, crime prevention tips, or extra patrols while you are on vacation, please contact the Sheriff’s Team of Active Retirees (STAR’s) for information at (530) 621-7545.