Preventing parcel thefts from porch pirates
An Amazon package on a porch. (Robert Bumsted / AP)
‘Tis the season for online shopping and porch pirates are on the lookout for packages left behind by delivery drivers.
Provincial police have released some tips to help homeowners ahead of the holidays.
They say these steps can potentially deter thieves:
- Request a signature on delivery
- Ship the package to a trusted neighbour or relative who will be home
- Arranged to have packages delivered to your workplace
- Track your delivery online so you know when they're supposed to arrive and plan to be home when the package is delivered
- Install video cameras and post signage to indicate surveillance
- Request the package be left out of sight at a rear or side door
- Choose in-store or curbside pickup
If a parcel is stolen from your front porch, OPP say it should be reported to your local police department and the company that delivered the package. That information can be used by the police service to determine which neighbourhoods are being targeted so they can allocate additional resources.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Kamala Harris endorsement excites Democrats, but what could it mean for Canada?
U.S. President Joe Biden's endorsement of Vice-President Kamala Harris as his possible replacement stirred excitement among Democrats, but one analyst has concerns about what a potential Harris presidency would mean for Canada.
Four suicides in New Zealand linked to Ontario's Kenneth Law
New Zealand's coroner has ruled that four of its citizens died after ordering products from an Ontario man who is facing murder charges for selling poisonous substances.
These are the four leading vice-presidential picks for Kamala Harris' campaign
No one knows the importance of selecting the right running mate better than Vice President Kamala Harris.
Do you want to be happier? Here are 5 habits to adopt
If you look around at your friends and family — and even at yourself — it is apparent that some people perceive the glass to be half full, while others view it as half empty. Which habits can you adopt to increase your level of happiness? A social psychologist has these five tips.
Caught in 4K: Sask. men charged after poaching revealed in YouTube video
Two men in northern Saskatchewan were recently found guilty of multiple hunting violations after authorities discovered a YouTube video showing the crimes.
Police identify body of man who washed ashore on Nova Scotia's Sable Island
Nova Scotia RCMP has identified one of the bodies found on Sable Island earlier this month.
Toronto woman charged with voyeurism after taking 'intimate' photos during massage: police
A Toronto woman who allegedly took 'intimate' photos of an individual who was getting a massage has been charged with voyeurism, police say.
U.S. drops planned regulations for dogs crossing border from rabies-free countries
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control will not require onerous forms for dog owners crossing the border from Canada this summer.
'We failed,' says Secret Service director grilled on Trump assassination attempt
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle said Monday that her agency failed in its mission to protect former President Donald Trump during a highly contentious congressional hearing with lawmakers of both major political parties demanding she resign over security failures that allowed a gunman to scale a roof and open fire at a campaign rally.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
London
-
St. Thomas standoff comes to an end, one person arrested
St. Thomas police have taken a man into custody in relation to an assault investigation. The area of Hiawatha Street and Owaissa Street was closed for about 4.5 hours while police tried to get a man off the roof of a home.
-
Police blitz boat safety on Lake Huron over the weekend, 80 vessels checked
Police were patrolling the waters of Lake Huron over the weekend, making sure that everyone was boating safely and responsibly.
-
Wingham restaurant has 'COVID' charges overturned
A Wingham restaurant that openly defied Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine passport program, has had two of three charges against them, overturned.
Windsor
-
Windsor Police issue warrant repeat violent offender
The Windsor Police has issued a warrant for a man wanted on numerous charges.
-
Suspect arrested in connection to stabbing investigation
The Windsor Police Service has arrested a suspect in connection to a stabbing that took place over the weekend.
-
Windsor sees spike in tree liability complaints
Despite the City of Windsor seeing a spike in the number of tree liability complaints filed by residents last year, compared to the four years before that, administration says that does not correlate to the amount of money paid out.
Barrie
-
Cemetery stabbing assailant flees into the forest
A worker at a Collingwood cemetery was stabbed Friday.
-
Armed robbery at Innisfil gas bar
Two men robbed the Trotters Esso in Innisfil.
-
Employee ruins burglary attempt on Dunlop Street West
Barrie employee arrived to find three suspects attempting to steal equipment at his place of business.
Northern Ontario
-
Kingston, Ont., driver, 23, charged in triple fatal crash near Parry Sound
A 23-year-old driver from Kingston, Ont., is charged with dangerous and impaired driving in a single-vehicle crash that killed three people and left a fourth with serious injuries east of Parry Sound on Saturday.
-
CNR fined $8M for two northern Ont. train derailments
The Canadian National Railway Company has been fined $8 million in relation to two 2015 train derailments that caused millions of litres of crude oil to spill in northern Ontario.
-
Sword-wielding Sudbury, Ont., suspect told police he’d cut off their hands
Sudbury police did nothing wrong when they shot and wounded a mentally ill suspect who attacked them with a spear and a sword.
Ottawa
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Ottawa Coun. Matthew Luloff charged with impaired driving
Ottawa Coun. Matthew Luloff is facing a charge of impaired driving, according to his lawyer. The Conservative Party tells CTV News Ottawa that Luloff resigned his candidacy on July 10 'due to a personal matter.'
-
5 injured, 2 critically after motorcycle collision on Hwy. 401
Two people suffered life-threatening injuries following a two-vehicle crash west of Kingston, Ont. on Sunday evening.
-
900 vehicles stolen in Ottawa so far in 2024: Here are the hot spots for thefts
Gloucester-Southgate is the hot spot for vehicle thefts in Ottawa in 2024, with 95 vehicles reported stolen in the south Ottawa ward so far this year.
Toronto
-
Four suicides in New Zealand linked to Ontario's Kenneth Law
New Zealand's coroner has ruled that four of its citizens died after ordering products from an Ontario man who is facing murder charges for selling poisonous substances.
-
Anti-gun violence advocate, community leader Louis March has died
Louis March, a long-time Toronto community leader, youth mentor, and well-known anti-gun violence advocate, has died.
-
'I felt sorry for him': Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks on U.S. President Joe Biden's step back
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is thanking U.S. President Joe Biden for his 50 years in public service after he announced his intention to drop out of the 2024 election on Sunday.
Montreal
-
What to know about the Canadian ties of Kamala Harris, Biden's choice for successor
U.S. President Joe Biden is stepping aside as the Democratic candidate in that country's November election and throwing his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris -- a Montreal-area high school graduate who spent several years in the city.
-
Senior Quebec church leader resumes role after six-month leave due to abuse claims
Cardinal Gérald Lacroix is resuming his duties today as archbishop of Quebec City after a Vatican-mandated investigation found no evidence tying the senior church leader to sexual misconduct allegations.
-
Montreal police arrest man holding knife in Westmount
Montreal police (SPVM) arrested a 47-year-old man for brandishing a knife in the City of Westmount on Monday.
Atlantic
-
Police identify body of man who washed ashore on Nova Scotia's Sable Island
Nova Scotia RCMP has identified one of the bodies found on Sable Island earlier this month.
-
14-year-old dies in motorcycle crash in P.E.I.
A 14-year-old male died in a motorcycle crash in Murray River, P.E.I., on Saturday.
-
Transportation Safety Board investigating fire aboard boat abandoned by 'Lucky 7'
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has sent investigators to Newfoundland to determine what caused a fire aboard a fishing boat that forced the crew to abandon the vessel for a life-raft, leaving them at the mercy of the waves for two days.
Winnipeg
-
Manitoba First Nation says members without health care due to nursing shortage
A First Nation in northern Manitoba says many of its residents, including infants, elders and people with chronic health conditions, are going without basic health care because of a nursing shortage in the community.
-
Tenants offered accommodations and support after surprise mass eviction
Some tenants of a Winnipeg apartment building who were suddenly evicted from their units this month have moved back in.
-
Alfred Avenue fire sends one to hospital, three pets found dead
One person is in hospital in critical condition and three animals have died following a fire early Monday morning.
Calgary
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Designs for new Calgary event centre 'Scotia Place' unveiled
The name of Calgary’s new event centre was unveiled on Monday. The arena will be called Scotia Place.
-
Boy, 17, hit by pick-up truck while skateboarding dies in hospital: police
Calgary police are investigating after a teen skateboarder was hit by a pick-up truck in the southeast community of Forest Lawn and later died from his injuries.
-
Calgary won’t yet move to Stage 1 outdoor water restrictions due to pump problems
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek says issues that arose on Sunday night mean the transition to Stage 1 water restrictions won't happen just yet.
Edmonton
-
2 Albertans accused of threatening to kill Trudeau, Freeland, Singh
Men from Edmonton and Calgary are accused of threatening to kill some of Canada's top government leaders.
-
New report suggests 32 percent of Albertans can't cover their bills
A new consumer debt index report from MNP suggests that nearly half of Albertans (47 per cent) are $200 or less away from failing meet their financial obligations.
-
St. Albert pauses non-essential municipal water use, no measures anticipated for Edmonton
The City of St. Albert has announced it is enacting "water demand management measure B," effective immediately and has discontinued non-essential use of potable water for municipal operations.
Vancouver
-
Driver dies days after crash between two semi trucks in Surrey
A man taken to hospital after a crash between two semi trucks in Surrey last week has died from his injuries, authorities confirmed Monday.
-
K'omoks First Nation signs draft treaty with B.C., federal governments
Officials with the K'omoks First Nation and the B.C. and federal governments have signed a draft treaty in a step toward the nation's self-governance.
-
Mounties cleared of wrongdoing in man's death in Chilliwack, B.C.
British Columbia's police oversight agency has cleared the Mounties of wrongdoing in the death of man in Chilliwack earlier this year.
