The season of giving is also proving to be the season of taking across Los Angeles as thieves follow postal service, UPS and Fed Ex trucks and grab packages off front porches before residents pick them up.
A resident of South Irving Boulevard near Larchmont Village had this experience last Friday when half a dozen packages were taken in the one hour they were delivered and residents were not home.
“We had a note on the door that packages were delivered, and I assumed someone had already brought them inside,” the Irving Blvd resident who declined to be identified told the Larchmont Buzz. “It turns out packages from family and some things we ordered online had been delivered. Nordstrom is replacing the lost merchandise which is good. But the most heartbreaking part of it was my mom had hand-knitted and baked some things for our kids. Someone stole that box of love. Those things just can’t be replaced.” The family has gathered receipts and notices and is reporting the incident to LAPD’s Olympic Division.
A Windsor Village resident told the Larchmont Buzz that she spotted a U Haul truck on a local street, filled with both UPS and FedEx packages inside, and a man dressed in brown with a backpack going to front doors. It all looked very suspicious to her, and could have been a well-executed theft scheme, but this could not be confirmed.
Dena Bloom, a Block Captain in Windsor Square, wrote to her neighbors suggesting people use UPS My Choice online to schedule deliveries for when residents are home. FedEx packages can also be scheduled via FedEx Delivery Manager. Other suggestions include talking to your delivery person (mail carrier, FedEx) and asking them to be sure to ring the doorbell upon delivery, or drop the packages over the fence rather than leave them at the front door.  Elita, the UPS representative for zip codes 90004, 90036, 90020, and 90005 can also be reached directly at 323-276-2662 for UPS queries or concerns.
“Residents should make arrangements not to have the packages delivered to the front porch,” Senior Lead Officer Joseph Pelayo told the Larchmont Buzz. “Stuff sits out there visible all day and of course is an easy target. Have it delivered to a neighbor or make arrangements for delivery that fits your own schedule.”
