DC residents pick up Amazon packages from police after rampant porch theft

Ryan King

September 07, 09:59 PM September 07, 09:59 PM

Porch bandits have notoriously swindled packages under very daring conditions, but now, Washington, D.C., package poachers may have an even more daunting doorstep to brave: the police.

Police in the 6th District are partnering with Amazon to allow residents to pick up their packages at Amazon lockers stationed in its facilities. A pilot program to test the concept began last week, and officials are hoping to expand the program to other districts in the city.

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"By working side-by-side with community partners, we believe it’s meaningful and impactful to give back locally, and we’ll continue to look for ways to give back to this D.C. community," an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement to the Washington Examiner.

It all stemmed from an idea 6th District Inspector Silvan Altieri had over a year ago, Fox5 DC reported.

"When I reached out to Amazon, I never thought they’d call me back," he told the news outlet. "But they were actually really open to the idea."

Lockers safeguarding packages can be opened via "barcode or use the six-digit code," according to Amazon. Residents in Washington who purchase items on Amazon will see an option to have their package delivered to one of the hubs. So far, there are hubs at the 6th District station in Deanwood and the substation in Anacostia.

Students from Randal Highlands Elementary School decorated the lockers with artwork and attended an unveiling ceremony for the new pickup station. Amazon donated $15,000 to the school in response to their work.

"Seeing the kids here yesterday where they could see their artwork, it was the greatest thing," Altieri added, per the outlet.

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"What we’re hoping is if it works well here as a pilot, we’re going to take it to other districts in the city," Altieri explained.

Washington experienced roughly 24,296 incidents of property crime in the year ending in September 2021 — a 3% spike from the year prior, according to data from the Metropolitan Police Department.

Cami Mondeaux contributed to this report.