NEWCASTLE, Wash. — The U.S. Postal Service said the holiday season brings the highest number of package thefts, so they're boosting enforcement efforts in response.
Seattle postal inspectors are targeting hotspots for package thefts with the help of local police departments.
"It gives us the ability to hone in and try to target areas where more of the crime is happening," postal inspector John Wiegand said.
In the city of Newcastle, investigators placed packages with GPS trackers at doorsteps in neighborhoods and places of business where packages have recently been taken.
The operation led to the arrest of a Newcastle woman and linked her to another package theft in the city.
"Really to put an emphasis to the community and to the criminals that, hey, you never know when you steal something and all of a sudden, I'm going to show up at your front door,” Wiegand said.
The postal service also does extra training for its mail carriers this time of the year. They remind staff to keep an eye out if they’re being followed and report if they see something suspicious.
Of the four major shipping companies, Amazon sees the highest number of stolen packages, according to a study by the security site Safewise.
The USPS recommends ways to not fall victim to this crime of opportunity: request a signature requirement for package deliveries, schedule a delivery time, or ask a neighbor or friend to bring in a package.
"The sooner you can get that stuff off your porch or out of mailboxes, the less likely it is to be stolen," Wiegand said.
Wiegand said it is good to fill your neighbors in when you have a package stolen, but also make sure to report it to your police department and the postal inspection service. You can report a stolen package online.