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Protect Yourself From Porch Pirates
WissNow's weekly newsletter
James Kratch
October 16, 2024
Welcome back! This is the second edition of WissNow’s new weekly newsletter! We continue to work to improve and experiment rapidly. Have a suggestion or comment? Just reply to this email!
Let’s get to it!
📆 Upcoming Nearby Events
Saturday, Oct. 19
🍁 Calluna Harvest Festival | 2012 Paper Mill Rd. in Oreland | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 19
🍓Ambler Farmers’ Market | 29 West Butler Pike | 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 19
🎃 Trick-or-Treat and Conversation with Cops | Giant parking lot in Spring House | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
🏴☠️ Season’s Thievings
There are a lot of Bad Santas running around these days.
Online shopping has many benefits. But it also comes with one colossal downside: Thieves may get to your package before you do -- and they are often not terribly shy about taking it.
So-called "porch pirates" have become a menace everywhere you turn, including in your backyard. Over two million Pennsylvanians have been victims of mail theft, and there was a 10% increase in packages reported as stolen last year in the Philadelphia area. Sometimes pirates get creative, like a 2022 case in Ambler where a man allegedly went full method actor and wore a FedEx polo to impersonate a deliveryman. But often they simply grab and dash.
So how do you fight back -- and protect your property -- as the holiday season fast approaches? Here are some quick tips courtesy of local law enforcement:
Install security cameras; many low-cost options now provide quality video.
Put up a sign announcing the presence of the cameras; that can serve as a deterrent for porch pirates.
A dropbox or lockbox for packages can be effective, although they can be expensive.
Some online shopping orders can be sent to nearby pick-up locations rather than a private residence.
Be vigilant. If you see something suspicious, call 911. Porch pirates work quickly, so time is of the essence.
Also: Emergency services are about to start seeing the effects of last year's state 911 surcharge hike on cell phones.
The increase has produced the revenue necessary to support 61 call centers across Pennsylvania. Now, state lawmakers pledge that "a new 911 system, a dynamic new environment that will contribute to providing for the safety and security of our citizens," is on the way.
House Bill 1304 will revise duties and responsibilities for agencies, counties, departments and service providers. It will also protect citizens' sensitive information and establish a new urban search and rescue task force to handle emergencies in the western parts of the state.
🚔 Local Gun Bust
A late-night traffic stop in Whitpain Township recently ended with a felony gun arrest.
Police were alerted to a car driving with a suspended registration a little after 11 p.m. and pulled the vehicle over near Skippack Pike at Ivy Road. As an officer approached the passenger side, he saw the driver was holding a firearm in his left hand, trying to hide it.
Anthony J. Smith, 63, of Philadelphia was ordered to show his hands and put the gun on the floorboard. He was detained as additional units were called for backup.
Police secured a black, loaded Ruger Security 9 handgun after searching the vehicle. They also determined Smith could not legally possess a firearm due to a prior arrest and had no permit to carry. The gun was unregistered; Smith conceded to cops he bought it "on the streets."
Smith was released on a bond signature after receiving felony charges of possession of a prohibited firearm, a firearm not to be carried without a license and a person not to possess a firearm. He was also charged with possession of a weapon, a suspended vehicle registration and an unregistered vehicle. He is due in court tomorrow.
🗞️ News Links
🐶 Rescue Of The Week
Amarilla, a 1 1/2-year-old German Shepherd, is looking for her forever home. She was rescued from a mill at six months and adopted, but her owner was forced to surrender her. She is currently in a foster home in Fort Washington through Home At Last Dog Rescue.
Amarilla is sweet, loves to play fetch and is crate- and house-broken. She can be dog selective and pushy with cats andshe would really love a fenced-in yard. Interested? Reach out here!
🔮 Northern Exposure
The Northern Lights made a rare appearance in the region last week and the images and sights were breathtaking. We compiled some of the best shots of the aurora here.
🚀 Blasts From The Past
The Wissahickon Valley Historical Society will hold a “Remembering the 1960s” open house on Sunday from 1-3 p.m. The event will feature a private collection about NASA and the space race as well as a recently acquired collection of magazines and newspapers surrounding President John F. Kennedy’s assassination and family. The event will be held at 799 Skippack Pike in Blue Bell.
🏘️ In Other Nearby News
🏈 Play Ball
For more on local sports, subscribe to our Philly sports newsletter, On Pattison (sent 5x per week):
📊 Poll
Has the Phillies' championship window closed?Let us know! |
Thanks for reading. See you next week.
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