Unfortunately, package thieves lurk on our block and throughout our neighborhood. They steal packages from our stoops, in our apartment lobbies, and inside our front entrance vestibules. The NY Times' Wirecutter compiled tips for avoiding (or at least catching) the plague that is 'Porch Pirates.'
The most relevant highlight from the article for our neighbors in brownstones is to invest in a combo of a smart doorbell camera and a smart lock.
A smart doorbell camera replaces your existing doorbell with one that includes a camera. A smart doorbell camera allows you to see who’s on the other side of your door or on your stoop, even when you aren’t home. If you have a subscription with the doorbell camera, you can even record if there's a crime taking place. You can then share those recordings with your neighbors and the police. You can find recommendations for smart doorbell cameras here.
Smart locks replace standard locks and are (supposedly) easy to install. Most smart locks come in one of two styles: a deadbolt replacement or a deadbolt adapter (which replaces the thumb turn with a motorized one). You can find recommendations for smart locks here.
For our neighbors in apartment buildings, this BrickUnderground article from last year recommends getting your packages delivered to a secure location, like an Amazon Locker or a Post Office Box. Check out the article for more tips!
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