Tips to protect your gifts

The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP is offering some helpful tips to keep your goodies safe this Holiday Season. With the Holiday Season fast approaching comes the ramp up in online shopping and deliveries. It’s a convenient and easy way to cross the names off your list, but we want to remind the public that piles of unattended packages make an attractive target for thieves looking to do some holiday shopping of their own.

Here are a few steps you can take to protect your goodies:

• Install video cameras to deter thieves;
• Arrange for a delivery time when you are home;
• Utilize shipment tracking to receive updates as your items travel to their destination;
• Request a delivery notification. Once delivered, retrieve the item as soon as possible. The less time it is sitting unattended, the lower the risk of it being stolen;
• Can’t be at home? Have someone retrieve it for you;
• Have your package delivered to a post office of other pickup location;
• Add delivery instructions to leave items off the front step and out of sight at a rear or side door;
• If your package is stolen, file a report with the courier and notify police right away.

Most delivery services offer tools that let you keep track of your packages as they make their way to you, states Constable Chris Terleski, Media Relations Officer for the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP. You can even arrange for safe delivery spots and receive immediate notifications when they’ve been delivered. These types of thefts are not exclusive to the Holiday Season and taking these steps year-round will reduce your risk of being victimized and having your items stolen.