Changes in HOA and Condo Deliveries due to the Pandemic
Suppose residents in your association have been frequent targets of package theft during the pandemic. If this is the case, we have tips to deter thieves and ensure packages are kept safe.
Online Ordering Increase
Groceries, electronics, and furniture are just some things people are ordering online. Typically, these items get delivered to their doorstep since the COVID-19 pandemic began. According to new data from Digital Commerce 360, a media and research organization, 90% of consumers prefer home delivery over a store visit.
The numbers speak for themselves: in April and May 2020, Americans spent more than $153 billion online, according to the Adobe Digital Economy Index. This figure was 7% higher than the $143 billion spent online during the 2019 holiday season. In June 2020, online spending totaled $73 billion, a 76% increase compared to the year before.
As consumer demand for online shopping grows, shipping companies are working around the clock to get packages where they need to be. UPS notes that its average daily shipping volume rose 21% in the June quarter. This rise is faster than the company has ever recorded, with a 65% increase in shipments to homes, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Deliveries Offer Security
Shared spaces like condo mailrooms and front desks have changed the way they handle deliveries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends contactless deliveries. This recommendation means limited or no contact with package recipients or potentially contaminated surfaces like doors and pens.
Wiping down packages with disinfectant to increase resident safety is one protocol. Slipping small packages through a plexiglass window is another. Simultaneously, some condo buildings prohibit the delivery of large pieces of furniture, like mattresses, that would require the help of a third-party service the building staff.
Porch Pirate Surge
Online ordering participants are now more likely to be victims of porch pirates—individuals who steal delivered packages from properties. Before the pandemic, an estimated 36% had been the victim of a porch pirate, according to a 2019 C+R Research report. It's unknown exactly how many people have been the victim of package theft during the pandemic. However, concerns about package theft ballooned at a time when many states mandated stay-at-home orders.
Tips on How to Keep Your Packages Safe
Here are some tips to deter thieves and ensure packages are kept safe:
When purchasing expensive items such as electronics, schedule deliveries to arrive when you are home.
If you can't be home when a package is delivered, have a family member or a trusted neighbor be on the lookout. You also may want to give them permission to take your box and hold it until you arrive.
Recording devices can provide evidence of package theft. Show the proof to your association's board and notify the police. "Shorr's report notes that 31% of respondents installed video cameras after having packages stolen." Your association's rules and regulations should include regulations on these devices. Be sure to read them before you install anything.
Opt for package pickup. Many delivery companies have lockers and pickup points in numerous retail locations with extended hours, allowing you to collect your package at your convenience.
Contact Us
Have questions about package safety? Please do not hesitate to contact Condominium Associates. We are here to provide you with solutions to prevent porch pirates from ruining your holiday plans.