At September’s North Precinct Advisory Council our Crime Prevention Coordinator, Terri Johnston, reminded us of these tips:
1) Stop your mail and newspapers when you are out-of-town so they don’t collect on your porch and mailbox.
2) A burning front porch light at 2:00 in the afternoon on an 80 degree day is a clue that no one is home!!!
Stopping mail delivery is practical if your absence is longer than a week or so, but I’m hesitant to inform my paper carrier of the dates I’ll be out of town. I’ve been a Times subscriber for years, but have no idea to the idenity of my carrier. I’m uncomfortable giving this type of information to a stranger I have no face to face connection with.
Better to have a trusted neighbor handle mail and newspaper pick-up during an absence.
Neighbors will also keep pizza door hangers away, which are clear flags that no one is home.
Every time I or one of my neighbors has asked the USPS to hold mail, they have messed it up. Truly, ask a neighbor instead.