TEMPE, Ariz. — The Tempe Police Department is looking to tackle package theft during the holiday season by using bait packages to track porch pirates.
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Jessica Ells, a Tempe police officer, said it's all part of a new mission called Operation Secret Santa.
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"The premise behind it is that we are asking for volunteers, Tempe residents, to volunteer their porches so that we can set out bait packages," Ells said. "These bait packages will have an electronic monitor in them, so when or if the package is stolen, we're going to be able to track that package."
Ells said that although they recommend having cameras to identify suspects, cameras sometimes do not deter crime.
"We want people out to know that we are doing this and we don't tolerate these package thefts," Ells said. "We'll be able to track the package as the suspect takes it, moves away with it, and we're going to be able to contact them away from the house and potentially be able to make an arrest on these suspects."
Ells said they are taking the safety of residents who participate in the operation into account.
"Every morning, the boxes will be put out and potentially picked up later in the day, and there will be extra patrols in those neighborhoods watching our residents," Ells said.
Operation Secret Santa is only open to Tempe residents and will run Nov. 18 through the end of December.
Tempe residents interested in participating can email nogrinch@tempe.gov
Tempe Police Department said there are a few ways residents can help protect their packages:
- Use and stay up-to-date on package tracking
- Request a signature for delivery
- Don't leave packages outside for a long time
- Use Amazon lockers if possible
- Make sure it's obvious the residence has a video security system
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