I’m a freelance content writer who contributes stories to CBS News, ConsumerAffairs, CNN Underscored, and more. I’ve also started an independent publication on Substack, Wavecomber, for in-depth insights about YMYL topics, including finance, health, shopping/commerce, and more (wavecomber.com, wavecomber.substack.com). For this Wavecomber article, I need US-based industry experts (e.g., home security experts, law enforcement/crime prevention specialists, delivery/logistics professionals, consumer protection advocates) to share unique insights about porch theft being on the rise with Prime Day/the holidays around the corner, and how to protect packages coming in. To be considered, please answer the following questions (all or the ones you can answer — but if short on time, PLEASE prioritize more detailed answers to a few over surface-level answers to all of them): 1. What are the most effective strategies to prevent package theft, and why do they work? 2. What role do alternative delivery locations play in prevention — things like Amazon Hub Lockers, pickup counters, or having packages sent to work/family? 3. How effective are security measures like cameras, motion-activated lights, and visible signage as deterrents? 4. What delivery notification or tracking features should people be taking advantage of to reduce theft risk? 5. What are the biggest mistakes people make that leave them vulnerable to porch pirates? 6. What should someone do immediately if their package is stolen? 7. If you could give readers ONE piece of advice to protect their deliveries, what would it be and why? Finally, please provide: 1) your role/title, a link to your LinkedIn profile, company website, and company descriptor 2) a good email to follow up if needed (MUST be the source’s email) IMPORTANT: We can’t accept/use AI-written responses, or responses you’ve already submitted elsewhere. Also, I’m not looking for surface-level information easily found online. These questions are meant more as a guide to get more nuanced, in-depth expertise from you :) Please share relevant common hypothetical scenarios or client experiences to back up answers. Thanks!

(Sorry, we have a 2500 character limit so I had to shorten this a bit) Most effective strategies - and why Take delivery off your porch (lockers, staffed counters, hold-at-location). No exposure = no theft. Locking parcel box, bolted down. Converts a quick grab into a tool-based crime; most thieves won't escalate. Control timing & placement. Schedule when you're home; use driver notes for side/rear doors out of street view. Neighbor pickup plan. Human guardianship beats gadgets. De-brand & de-signal. Request plain boxes; avoid public delivery photos. Alternative delivery locations Best risk reduction per effort. Custody transfer happens inside monitored spaces with accountability. Beats follow-truck tactics. If it never hits your doorstep, it can't be grabbed. Work/family addresses with daytime occupancy provide supervision during peak risk hours. Cameras, lights, signage - how effective? Cameras: Better for evidence than prevention; mount at eye level with quick alerts and some plate capture. Motion lights: Strong nighttime deterrent - spikes perceived risk. Signage: Works when credible and paired with obvious hardware; generic signs alone have limited value. Notifications & tracking to use Real-time push alerts + specific drop instructions (gate/parcel box). Photo-on-delivery with timestamp/geotag to separate misdelivery from theft. Vacation hold / hold at facility to stop pileups. Consolidated delivery day to reduce exposure windows. Biggest mistakes Letting packages sit (first 30-90 mins are riskiest). High visibility porches and flashy boxes. Overreliance on poorly placed cameras. Broadcasting purchases online. Poor house numbering driving misdeliveries. If a package is stolen Verify first (tracking, alternate doors, neighbors). Preserve evidence (clips, timestamps, suspect/vehicle/plate). File a police report for an incident number. Notify seller/carrier immediately (claims have tight windows). Alert neighbors/HOA and harden the next delivery (locker/hold). One piece of advice "Get packages off your porch - every time." Lockers/counters or a locked drop box remove the opportunity that fuels porch piracy. ////////////////////////////////////// Trevor Barthel, COO, F3 Intelligence Corp https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-barthel/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/f3-intelligence-corp/ https://f3investigations.com trevor.b@f3intel.com