Campbell police use bait packages to lure potential thieves

In an attempt to deter package theft this holiday season, police in Campbell said Monday they are trying to lure would-be thieves by placing packages with GPS trackers throughout the city.

The program is an expansion of an existing bait bike program, which uses bikes with GPS trackers, according to police.

Because the bike program has been successful in helping police arrest bike thieves, the Campbell Police Foundation has supplied the police department with additional GPS trackers, police said.

The GPS trackers are being placed on packages, which are then placed throughout the city at homes and businesses. Once the package is stolen, officers are alerted and able to respond to the scene and arrest the suspected thief, according to police.

While police hope to prevent theft with the new program, police nonetheless want to remind residents of ways they can protect their packages from being stolen.

Police recommend that residents have their packages delivered to a location where a person will be able to receive it such as a workplace or a neighbor’s house. If possible, shoppers can ask to have their packages delivered to a pickup facility or a local store for pick-up.

Also, if given the option, residents should choose a specific delivery time for when they will be home or ask the shipper to require a signature confirmation for the delivery, in order to prevent packages from being left outside when no one is home, police said.

Police also recommend home security cameras or doorbell cameras, which let residents see and speak to a person at their front door from a cellphone.

For more helpful tips about preventing package thefts, residents can visit https://youtu.be/rtLpnx2bm1A.