Utah community leaves fake packages on doorsteps for thieves

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah (AP) — A man in one Utah community says his neighbors have begun placing decoy packages on front porches in an effort to thwart holiday delivery thieves.

Rocks, old clothes and junk televisions are among items that resident Kroger Menzer says residents in the Daybreak neighborhood of South Jordan have been putting in shipping boxes. People are also using surveillance video.

“The goal isn’t to catch them in the act, that’s for the police,” Menzer told KSL-TV. “The goal is to make it confusing and frustrating. So they come and steal a box, and they get home and it’s a bunch of rocks, there’s a good chance that they’re probably not going to come back to steal another box.”

Menzer said one of his neighbors came up with the idea and posted it to the Daybreak community Facebook page.

“This is a very tight-knit community,” said Menzer, a real estate agent. “Even though there are 4,000 homes and 15,000 people living here, we all get to know each other pretty well.”

Lt. John Barker, of the Unified Police Department, said it can take just seconds for a thief to jump out of a car, grab a package and run.

He said police don’t want residents putting themselves in danger by confronting thieves. They recommend using surveillance video instead.

“If it’s a good system, they can get some very good pictures,” Barker said. “If you can get the car, and especially the license plate, that’s very helpful in tracking these individuals down.”

Barker also recommended picking up packages at delivery service locations.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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11 Comments

  • 42214 December 15, 2015 at 12:54 pm

    Packages should be rigged with dye packs on motion fuses.

  • ladybugavenger December 15, 2015 at 2:45 pm

    Lame!!! Bored rich people looking for something to do.

    • 42214 December 16, 2015 at 11:02 am

      South Jordan “rich people”? You have low standards of wealth.

      • ladybugavenger December 17, 2015 at 12:24 pm

        Ya, don’t know much about south Jordan but for sure my standard of wealth is very low….if only I could buy a new car!!!! I’d put surveillance cameras all around it 🙂

        • ladybugavenger December 17, 2015 at 12:30 pm

          I make $13,000 a year. If I made $20,000 a year id be driving my Camaro with hidden surveillance cameras on Christmas Day. Oh the dreams of being wealthy \_($$)_/

          • .... December 17, 2015 at 4:43 pm

            go go Gadget Peggy Bundy face mask…lol

  • Lori December 16, 2015 at 1:41 am

    they should fill them with dog …
    Ed. ellipsis.

  • .... December 16, 2015 at 6:29 am

    They should fill those boxes full of Book of Mormon….guarantee that will stop…..go go Gadget comic book !

    • 42214 December 17, 2015 at 2:47 pm

      …. One of the best comments ever, instant classic!

  • Randys Sister December 16, 2015 at 8:39 am

    ladybug this is not “lame”, this is brilliant and awesome 🙂

    • ladybugavenger December 16, 2015 at 10:30 am

      Go go gadget security camera! Where’s Chris Hanson?

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