The North End has recently seen a series of package thefts. At the September North End Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC) meeting, Maria Lanza from the Mayor’s Office shared some safety tips from the Boston Police Department. These included coordinating with relatives when you are expecting a package and checking with your building about whether back doors and hallways are locked.
Have you ever had a package stolen in the North End / Waterfront? Vote in our poll and add your comments in the section below.
Note: Web polls are not scientific, representing only those readers who choose to vote.
I would like to add that many times the carrier delivers to the wrong address, and does not correct it. For example Stillman Street residents constantly receive packages for Stillman Place. Many times I would heave them over myself and found that one resident after thanking me, noted she just reports it as a stolen package.
It should be noted that one of the biggest changes, and impacts, in recent years is the roll-out of Amazon’s own delivery/logistic service (urban mobility). They are less experienced in the neighborhood, where porches and foyers are not accessible. This is in striking contrast to UPS and its drivers in my opinion, who seem to understand the neighborhood dynamics– delivering later in day, knowing which units are often available to open doors.
Granted, no system is perfect. It is also a reflection of today’s consumer buying habits…. more online purchases, more packages left out, more opportunities to steal packages. So, just monitoring complaints is limited in value, because the number should be expected to rise with greater volume. Amazon, UPS, and FEDEX know the total number of packages delivered and what percent are nicked over time. A time trend based on percentage would tell more.
At the end of the day… perhaps we should all buy local.
Do they ever catch these thieves? How low can you get?
You have a better chance of finding a parking spot than getting caught stealing a package.
Don’t be so sure. The UPS man told me he knows who are the regular package thieves. I just don’t think the authorities care enough to do anything.
No doubt that the UPS drivers know the shady characters by sight. We can’t even get consistent enforcement of parking enforcement violations. So your right stolen packages are not a high priority.
I think the heroin culture in the North End has to do with package thefts. Bike thefts too bc parts can be sold for short money.
When I walk home after work, about 4:45 – 5:00 I see a lot of packages left on the steps, or on the side walk close to the door.
I can’t imagine why they leave them if there is no answer! Anyone can walk by and take them!
Have the packages delivered to were you work or if you have a good neighbor ask them to keep a eye out,, they steal packages every were not just in the north end,, we’re I live in Malden some people take them right of porches ,, when I know I’m getting a package delivered and won’t be home I ask my next door neighbor to keep a eye out and I do the same for her,,