Residents report parcels stolen from doorsteps

Police, Canada Post can't say how widespread gift thefts are

Photo By Nicole Reis

Some East York residents have reported parcel thefts from home entrances. Canada Post and Toronto Police do not have precise statistics on how many have been victimized. Nicole Reis/Toronto Observer

Christmas can be a time of peace, kindness and online shopping deals. Unfortunately, a string of brazen parcel thefts from porches has left some intended gift recipients disappointed this year.

Members of a community Facebook group report multiple incidents of culprits stealing mail and gifts delivered to their doorsteps in Toronto neighbourhoods.

Toronto police have no data on how many parcel thefts have occurred in the past year because of the various ways citizens report the incidents, including online, in person and over the phone, according to Const. Caroline de Kloet.

“The numbers just aren’t accurate, and some don’t even report their incidents,” she said.

Canada Post is also unable to provide data.

“Delivery agents make their best judgment in making a delivery decision if a customer is unavailable,” said Phil Legault of Canada Post media relations.

“Canada Post is also fully utilizing the largest national network of parcel lockers,” he said. “We’ve placed roughly 25,000 units in apartment and condo buildings serving some 1,000,000 addresses across the country. There are also more than half a million individual parcel lockers connected to community mailboxes serving another five million households across the country.”

Paolo Indrigo, who lives near Woodbine and Cosburn avenues, has experienced a number of thefts at his property.

He installed surveillance devices and security doorbells at his home after reading about their success in reducing burglaries in a Los Angeles neighbourhood.

“I’ve had car break-ins and porch thefts before the cameras,” Indrigo said. “None since.”

FedEx Express Canada spokesperson James Anderson suggested added precautions this season for peace of mind.

“Consider an alternate destination,” he said. “When you order something online, consider sending the package to your workplace or to a family member, friend, or neighbour who is home during the day to accept delivery. You can have your FedEx Express deliveries sent to select FedEx retail locations, and we’ll hold it for you for up to five business days.”

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Copy editor: Neil Powers
Posted: Dec 20 2017 6:05 pm
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