Anderson PD seeks volunteers for “Porch Pirate” sting

ANDERSON — Using the innovative approach of enlisting the help of area residents, Anderson Police Department is seeking volunteers from all areas and neighborhoods within the city to help with a sting operation aimed at curtailing the theft of packages left on porches and by front doors by delivery drivers. Volunteers’ homes do not need to be equipped with front porch, door bell, or home security cameras; however, many have admitted the footage of the suspects’ arrests would be fun to watch later.

According to an Anderson PD social media release, the sting operation is being conducted by the department’s Problem Oriented Policing Team in response to a dramatic recent rise in porch thefts, in part due to the increase of package deliveries during the holidays. Intended to target thieves who attempt to steal packages left at residential doorways, the sting operation will be conducted in neighborhoods across the city over the next several weeks.

LEADING THE SCNS HEADLINES:

Man threatens to sexually assault girl, 4, while masturbating in her direction

Redding pedestrian, 61, critically injured after hit by pickup

With safe in hand, man tries to flee on foot after wild Redding pursuit, multiple crashes

A social media post by Anderson PD announcing the program yesterday morning has already received hundreds of shares and comments, as well as overwhelming support from residents excited to hear about the department’s unique approach to deterring what have become known as “porch pirates.” 

“We hope by conducting operations like these, that porch pirates will steer clear of Anderson during this holiday season,” wrote APD.

Although the program is only intended for City of Anderson residents, social media commenters from just outside the city limits and as far away as Johnson Park, Fall River Mills, and Chico chimed in, praising the program and offering their porches as well.

After receiving countless offers for help, APD thanked the community for “such a great response,” commenting that POP officers would be reaching out to those that volunteered over the next several days.

“We will likely be wanting to change the location a couple times a week so if you don’t hear from us right away we might be contacting you in a week or two,” APD said after the unexpectedly high number of responses.

Any residents who live within Anderson city limits interested in volunteering their porches for this operation can still send a message to the department via Facebook or email Detective Jacob Duncan at [email protected].

In their social media post APD listed other steps residents can take to help prevent package theft, including:

• Track packages and try to be home when they arrive, or ask a trusted neighbor or friend to pick up the package
• Have packages delivered to your workplace, if possible
• Ask the delivery company to require a signature before leaving
• Have the package held at the delivery company for pickup
• Install security cameras at your home
• Report suspicious activity to law enforcement

.

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.