Package theft affects delivery drivers in two ways: cargo stolen from an unattended van, and packages taken from a porch after you've already delivered them. Both create headaches — one directly, one through customer complaints. Here's how to manage both.
Never Leave Your Van Open and Unattended
The most common source of cargo theft is the simplest: a driver runs a package to the door and leaves the van unlocked with the cargo door open or slides unlocked. It takes under 30 seconds for someone watching to take something from an open van.
Close and lock your cargo area before you walk to each delivery point. Yes, every stop. Yes, it adds five seconds per stop. That's under seven minutes across an 80-stop route — a minor cost for significant protection.
In higher-crime or unfamiliar areas, close and lock your cab too. Don't leave your keys in the ignition while you're at a door.
What to Do If You Return to a Ransacked Van
Immediately call 911 and dispatch. Do not move packages or disturb the cargo area before police arrive if there's clear evidence of forced entry — that area is a crime scene. Document everything photographically: the vehicle exterior, the cargo area, any visible entry damage.
You are not responsible for cargo stolen from a secured vehicle in a random theft. You are responsible for cargo taken from an unlocked or open vehicle. The documentation of how the van was secured is your protection.
Porch Theft (Porch Pirates): Your Documentation Is Your Defense
You deliver a package to a porch. Customer calls an hour later saying it's gone. This happens. Your POD photo — clear, showing the package in place at the delivery address, with a visible address marker — is the documentation that resolves this in your favor.
A vague or absent POD photo turns this into a "driver says, customer says" situation that can affect your record. A clear photo ends the conversation quickly.
Don't Leave Packages Visible From the Street
Where safe and possible, tuck packages out of sight from the sidewalk or street. Behind a porch column, to the side of the door, behind a planter. Not invisible — the customer needs to find it — but not in full view of every car that passes.
This applies especially for areas you notice have had theft notices posted, visible trail cameras aimed at the street, or multiple homes with "ring doorbell" signs.
What High-Risk Areas Look Like
You'll develop a feel over time for areas that require extra care. This isn't about profiling neighborhoods — it's about reading contextual signals: broken glass in parking areas, recent activity signs, multiple units with heavy deadbolts on ground floors. In these areas, keep your van closer, move faster, and don't leave packages in full visibility.
JWA Logistics supports drivers who follow proper security protocols. Keep your van locked, keep your photos clean, and document anything unusual. That combination protects you on every shift.