Porch Pirates Visit Alma Park
No one wants to have their packages stolen. Unfortunately, that's exactly what's been happening as we see increasing reports of porch pirates in San Pedro. This past Tuesday, on January 12, 2021, we had some porch pirates visit Alma Park. Fortunately, some observant neighbors realized what was going on. This article will contain an interview with the neighbor who got involved, tips from our Senior Lead officer from LAPD, and resources relating to the Alma Park Area Neighborhood Watch (APANW). For the sake of anonymity, names are either changed or withheld.
One neighbor confronted these porch pirates
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS THAT CITIZENS NEVER CONFRONT CRIMINALS, AS CRIMINALS COULD BE ARMED AND DANGEROUS.
"My partner works from home, and his home office looks out over the street," James said. "He's pretty aware of things that are happening on our street. At around noon, Eric told me there was a suspicious vehicle in front of the house throwing trash onto our sidewalk. I went out to confront them."
"As I approached, the vehicle began to pull away and drove down the street very slowly. The driver took a slow left onto 23rd street from South Meyler, heading towards Cabrillo and Gaffey," James explained. "I followed them on foot, and as I came around the corner, I saw the vehicle, a large white Cadilac Escalade, had pulled into a neighbors driveway."
Porch pirates park in a neighbor's driveway.
"A young Latino woman, sort of heavyset and maybe in her early to mid-twenties, was exiting the vehicle and walking towards my neighbor's front door. I told her she needed to pick up the trash she left in front of my house. She seemed very nice. The young woman explained that she was really sorry and would pick up the trash in a minute. She then walked up the front steps of my neighbor's house."
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS THAT CITIZENS NEVER CONFRONT CRIMINALS, AS CRIMINALS COULD BE ARMED AND DANGEROUS.
"I turned around and looked at the vehicle. The vehicle had white cardboard covering its' rear passenger side windows. A guy was hunched over on the front passenger seat. He had a scruffy face, maybe around 40, and just looked kind of sick and sketchy. At this point, I realized something was fishy. As I turned around, the young woman was walking down my neighbor's steps with an armful of packages towards her vehicle."
Porch pirates car and license plate!
"I asked if she lived at the house. She answered that she didn't, but her aunt did. I asked what her aunt's name was. The girl was still nice, but because a bit defensive. "Why do you want to know?" she asked. I explained to her that it was a little suspicious for someone to be removing packages from a house and driving away with them. She ignored me and put the packages in her car, and started to drive away. I did take pictures of the car, including the plate number."
The Alma Park Area Neighborhood Watch assists with these porch pirates
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS THAT CITIZENS NEVER CONFRONT CRIMINALS, AS CRIMINALS COULD BE ARMED AND DANGEROUS.
One of the neighborhood watch coordinators who lived nearby saw the commotion. He immediately emailed the two Senior Lead Officers for Alma Park, Officer Winter, and Officer Shortle. He then called Officer Shortle, leaving a message, and followed up with a text.
The Police were extremely responsive. Within minutes a patrol came through the area. A few minutes later, Officer Shortle called the coordinator, and 20 minutes later came to meet with him.
By this time, the suspect had gotten away, but the victim filed a report, and James, who was listed as a witness, gave a statement.
Tips from our Alma Park Senior Lead Officer
Officer Shortle provided some advice for what to do if porch pirates visit Alma Park again:
If you are expecting any packages and are not going to be home please let a neighbor or friend pick up the package for you. Some companies provide tracking alerts where you can be notified by phone when a package arrives. Also, Amazon now has the option to pick up packages from secure lockers.
If you see someone that appears to be taking a package, call the LAPD at the non-emergency number: 877-275-5273. Try to describe the suspect, what they are wearing, any vehicle information, and what way the suspect goes.
Video and photos help.
Officer Shortle advises against confronting porch pirates, as they may have a weapon.
Get connected
If you live in the Alma Park area, please consider joining your neighbors at https://www.facebook.com/groups/apanw
