The Irvine Police Department is using creative social-media campaigns and traditional patrol tactics to combat package thefts. A recent study estimates porch pirates steal about $250,000 in packages nationwide each day, and one in four Americans have experienced a stolen delivery. Irvine says social-media appeals helped generate tips that led to arrests and contributed to an 11% drop in package thefts so far this year. Police urge precautions such as using secure lockers, tracking alerts, and requiring signatures.
Irvine Police Turn Social Media Into A Crime-Fighting Tool As Package Thefts Fall 11%
A recent study estimates that "porch pirates" steal roughly $250,000 in packages across the United States every day. About one in four Americans — roughly 64 million people — report having had a package stolen at some point, and roughly 9 million adults experienced a theft in the past three months alone.
In Irvine, California, residents say the problem is all too familiar. Karen Gordon says she has had packages stolen about a dozen times over the past four years.
“Whether it's groceries or these packages, you know, we're all suffering from one degree to another degree over these crimes,” Gordon said.
Irvine police say they recently arrested a woman who was captured on security video allegedly taking one of Gordon's orders — a shipment of toilet paper. Video reportedly shows the suspect inside an apartment complex mailroom grabbing boxes and leaving with her arms full.
Creative policing and social media: Officer Ziggy Azarcon, a member of the Irvine Police Department's property-theft team, says the unit increasingly leans on social platforms like Instagram to solicit tips from the public. Eye-catching campaigns with names such as "Wanted Wednesday" and "Felony Friday" highlight suspects and ask followers to share information.
Those tactics appear to be working: Azarcon says package thefts are down about 11% so far this year compared with the same period last year. Social-media posts helped generate tips that led to arrests — including a suspect nicknamed "Postal Malone," so-called because officers thought the person resembled the recording artist and had noticeable face tattoos. Once the posts circulated, tips poured in and investigators identified an alleged suspect.
What officers look for: Patrol teams watch for common signs of porch-pirate activity, such as vehicles without license plates. Officers also warn that thieves sometimes disguise themselves as package or food-delivery drivers to avoid suspicion.
How To Reduce Your Risk
With deliveries surging during the holiday season, police and security experts recommend several practical steps to protect packages:
- Deliver packages to secure lockers or pickup points when available.
- Ask a trusted neighbor, friend, or building manager to retrieve deliveries.
- Use real-time tracking and text alerts to monitor shipments and schedule deliveries.
- Have packages sent to your workplace if allowed.
- Require a signature for delivery or use delivery instructions to leave parcels in secure locations.
By combining old-fashioned police work with modern social-media outreach and public tips, the Irvine Police Department says it is making measurable progress against porch pirates — while encouraging residents to take simple precautions to avoid becoming a victim.
