The downside to delivery
With more and more shoppers making purchases online, services like UPS, Fedex, and the US Postal Service are delivering increasing numbers of packages every year. Despite the convenience of having your products delivered to your doorstep, there is one downside – theft.
Michael Grabham operates a non-profit called Survive The Streets that gathers materials for houseless people. Last year, a package containing a donation of several winter coats for the project was stolen right off of his doorstep.
Theft on the rise with media coverage
Apparently mail theft on the rise, as thieves have figured out how easy it is to follow a delivery truck and swipe a package as soon as the truck pulls away. Package theft is especially common during the holiday season. According to Grabham, “we have seen a huge spike in package theft since it is now mainstream news…the media has shown others the idea of how easy it is to steal packages from doorsteps.”
Grabham began looking for a solution to prevent “porch pirates” from stealing packages, and found that, besides complicated and expensive security systems, there was no simple, cheap security solution specifically for packages.
The genius solution
That’s when he invented Package Guard. It’s a battery-operated device about the size of a Frisbee that can be affixed to your front porch and connected to your WiFi signal. It reads “place package here.” When the delivery person places the package on Package Guard, the device’s sensor is triggered, and you receive a notification on your smartphone or smartwatch. The device also alerts you if an unauthorized person tries to take your package. A loud alarm sounds, scaring off the potential thief. You can authorize your spouse, roommate, or neighbor to pick up the package by giving them a special passcode.
The Package Guard will likely retail for about $69. However, if you’ve ever been a victim of package theft, you can turn in the police report to receive a Package Guard for just $20.
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