BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — 'Tis the season' for package delivers, but we have a ‘tale of two’ issues.
The Ring Video Doorbells are catching some unconventional delivery methods, as well as some porch pirates in action.
“It must be Italian. I think that says fragile, honey...oh yeah,” dialogue from the movie The Christmas Story.
In the popular 1983 movie The Christmas Story a large wood box arrived marked “fragile”.
And even if your package is not marked fragile you would hope it arrives with care.
But that wasn't the case last Friday when a packaged arrived at a home in south Buffalo.
“Never have – have I ever seen anyone deliver a package to my house like that. I was appalled,” declared Danielle Smith. and When I saw it. I was immediately angered. I was so frustrated.”
Smith posted her Ring Doorbell video showing a UPS delivery man flinging her package onto the front porch.
“If something like that was delivered to me – I can't imagine how many other people's things might be delivered like that,” Smith said in a Facetime interview.
Nothing was damaged, but smith it contained delicate makeup items.
“There was a glass bottle inside – amongst other – there was eye shadow pallets. All that stuff isn't typically deemed fragile but it can be if it slammed down – those things can definitely break,” explained Smith. “It’s not marked fragile, but that that doesn’t mean – the stuff inside doesn’t have any value to it.”
We reached out to UPS for a response to the delivery captured on video.
UPS issued a written statement to 7 Eyewitness News in response to our request about the delivery to the south Buffalo home saying it will investigate.
"UPS employees receive regular training on the company’s methods and procedures to safely transport and deliver packages. We will investigate the situation and take appropriate action," UPS stated.
Smith uses her Ring Doorbell to protect against 'porch pirates'.
Lewiston Police Chief Frank Previte says the video recordings are key in tracking down thieves looking to take what delivery workers leave behind.
“We've had cases that we've solved because of the ring doorbell. And they're actually able to send us that footage and we can use that as evidence,” remarked Chief Previte.
The police chief says the video doorbells are making a difference for residents to stop a porch theft from inside their home.
“I think it’s great and it actually does work where we’ve had people that have engaged whoever it is and the person just turns around and leaves,” Chief Previte explained.
This year Lewiston Police are adding extra patrols during delivery times to watch for porch pirates, sending a strong message to potential Grinches to think twice before trying to steal Christmas.
Police chief Previte says the porch thefts in both the village and town of Lewiston are random. His best advice to residents is check with shipping information to see if there’s a date and time of arrival so someone can be at your home to collect the package or arrange to pick it up at UPS.
