Package thefts might be on the rise in Battle Ground, according to social media, but city police state officers’ efforts to respond to the crime are hindered without residents filing reports.
While Battle Ground residents reported multiple cases of porch piracy during a 10-day span through general social media outlets, the Battle Ground Police Department (BGPD) did not receive any reports in the same time span.
“The Battle Ground Police Department has not received any reports of package thefts within the last ten days,” city Communications Manager Alisha Smith stated in an email at the end of January.
If a package has gone missing, the best place to start is by filing a theft report with the police department, a BGPD sergeant told Smith.
“This will enable officers to better track trends and patterns which will increase the likelihood of identifying and catching the perpetrator(s),” Smith stated. “... The most important thing we can stress to the public is the importance of filing a police report when they become a victim of crime. Often, people take to social media to share information with their peers and community, however police are not able to use those posts to initiate a potential criminal investigation.”
The Battle Ground Police Department accepts reports through its online reporting system at cityofbg.org/Online-Police-Report, or the public can call 311 for non-emergency police assistance.
BGPD stated residents do certain things to help police if they experience a package theft:
• Provide any security camera footage/photos of the theft showing suspect(s) or suspect vehicle(s) if available.
• Report details of the theft, such as the date the package was delivered and when it was discovered missing.
• Report the contents of the stolen package. This may be useful when determining the severity of charges if/when a suspect is located.
• When possible, provide a suspect and/or vehicle description.
BGPD also offers tips people can protect themselves from porch package theft:
• Residents should schedule deliveries for a time when they will be home to receive them.
• Consider redirecting packages to a workplace or a trusted person who will be home to receive the package.
• If possible, provide delivery instructions to the delivery service, such as a specified delivery time and discrete package placement upon delivery.
• Have a delivery service drop off a package at a secure package locker.
