Preventing Package Theft with Video Doorbells
It’s becoming a more and more familiar story: You order something online, the tracking app says “delivered,” but you get home to find nothing but dust on your front door. Some unemployed thief grabbed it minutes after the delivery driver left.
Package theft happens daily, if not practically hourly, as thieves cruise through neighborhoods looking for unattended boxes on porches. Disgracefully, they strike during work hours when everyone’s earning a living. Some are even so shameless as to walk up unmasked.
Let’s face it: You can't camp out on your porch all day waiting for deliveries, but you don't have to. With a smart doorbell ring installation, you can have eyes on on your front door 24/7.
In this brief article brought to you by Mr. Electric, we explore how these devices actually prevent package theft and why they've become essential home security tools.
Constant Video Surveillance Deters Thieves
Smart doorbells continuously record video, or at the least activate when they detect motion. Either way, they capture everyone who approaches your door. Thieves hate this.
Package theft works because thieves assume nobody's watching. They scout neighborhoods and look for easy targets. Think homes without visible security cameras, packages sitting unattended, and no signs that anyone's home.
Smart doorbells destroy this anonymity. The prominent camera lens sends a clear message: You're being recorded. Most thieves see that camera and move on to easier targets.
This visible deterrent is only the first layer of defense against perpetrators. After all, criminals choose easy scores… not recorded crimes that could land them in jail.
Real-Time Alerts to Get You Involved
But smart cameras don’t just record; they also notify you when someone approaches your door. Your delivery arrives at 2 PM while you're at work? Your doorbell can detect the delivery driver, record the video, and send an alert to your phone. You can watch the delivery happen in real time.
Now you have options. You can call a neighbor or family member to grab your package, or you can even talk to the delivery driver through two-way audio to ask them to place the package somewhere less visible.
Packages typically sit for hours before you get home, and that gives thieves plenty of time to spot and steal them. Smart doorbells compress that vulnerable window to minutes.
Two-Way Audio Creates Powerful Interactions
Let’s dive deeper into the power of two-way audio in real time. Picture this: Someone approaches your door when you're not home. Your doorbell alerts you, and you check the video feed on your phone. It's not the mail carrier… it's someone you don't recognize checking out the package on your porch.
You press the talk button. “Can I help you?” The person on your porch freezes as your voice comes through the doorbell speaker. They had no idea anyone could see or communicate with them. They make an excuse, or not, and leave quickly.
This isn’t fiction. This scenario plays out countless times thanks to smart doorbell cameras. The thief doesn’t know whether you’re upstairs or out back. Often, they don’t even think it through – they flee.
Integration With Broader Security Systems
Smart doorbells work even better when you integrate them with other security features. You can link your doorbell to smart lights that activate when someone approaches, connect it to you security alarm system, or even tie it to your smart home automation.
This way, thieves face not just a doorbell camera but an entire responsive security network. Most won't risk it. Here’s the caveat, though: smart security is only as effective as its installation. So, make sure to hire a certified and qualified electrician for the job.
Hire a Local Electrician Today
Whether you’re ready to have a smart doorbell installed or need urgent electrical repair to fix what’s broken, the local certified electricians at Mr. Electric are here to help. Call or message Mr. Electric today to get in touch with a live representative!
