Long before mom was unable to grab delivered items from the porch, a problem surfaced that affected the safety and security of Mom’s health and her home. Often, we buy items online and have them delivered. It’s a convenience and is for some seniors the only way to get groceries and other items. Most times, these items are critical, like medicine delivered from specialty pharmacies and discrete toiletries and other elder supplies.
Porch Piracy -A Security concern for Seniors
Sometime after we began receiving prescriptions by mail and having medical supplies and durable medical equipment delivered, we noticed that some of the items we were supposed to get were not there at all. This was indeed frustrating. The items were being stolen…. right off of the porch!! Who was so lacking that they would steal mom’s medicine or her toiletries even!! After some research we found that this was a trend and those stealing from porches were “porch pirates” and that reselling stolen items was profitable. We also learned that missing deliveries from porches was more prevalent during the holidays, so we had to rethink when to physically go and get items and when to have them delivered.
In our effort to make mom’s life a little more discrete and convenient, there were individuals stealing her orders right off of the porch. Now we had to contend with the security of the items we ordered for her. It was frustrating because the delivery company was only responsible for leaving the item at the door or on the porch or if small enough in the mailbox.
When do you know your stuff has been delivered??
We have to be reminded that our elders are not only targeted for scams but also targeted by “Porch pirates”. These are people who take anything they think is valuable off of your porch, especially packages and boxes that have not been opened yet. These people are so unscrupulous that they either wait for or follow the delivery truck to prime locations. Often our seniors don’t know their delivery is missing until they discover their package has not shown up and countless phone calls later reveal that the item was delivered. This creates an extreme inconvenience if they are on a schedule and their medicines are missing. Now comes the inconvenience of re-ordering.
In looking for economical solutions to hack this problem we found that if we ordered from Amazon, Amazon would text us and leave photos of the item(s) on the porch as verification that the item(s) had been delivered. We could appreciate this as it was an immediate, simple and direct “good for the consumer” approach.
Now, UPS has taken a completely different approach to this problem and is using AI software to get a picture of deliverability and the statistics on the success of the delivery. This may be good for them but for elders buying online from anywhere other than Amazon, they’d have to begin giving shipping more thought because they wouldn’t know who would be delivering the items.
The approach UPS used was strictly a “good for the business” approach that eventually would trickle down to the consumer, but it started so far in the stratosphere first that its focus was on saving businesses money first. It was with UPS’s approach that we learned how UPS and other businesses were using Artificial Intelligence.
Did you know??
Did you know that UPS is using an AI software called “Delivery Defense” which assesses the likelihood of a package being stolen. Due to the rise in package theft, UPS had a company called Security.org come in and conduct a study and found that 49 million Americans had at least one package stolen in the last 12 months. The average value for stolen merchandise was $50 which, based on incident rates and average loss, amounted to $2.4 billion in stolen goods.
The AI application uses billions of data points from UPS’ historical delivery data to generate a “Delivery Confidence Score” on a scale from 1 to 1,000 that indicates the likelihood of a successful delivery. In cases where a given address has a low score, a merchant can recommend that the consumer pick up the product in-store or have it delivered to a UPS Access Point, which can be located in retail stores or UPS Stores.
UPS has made this tool available to businesses regardless of their size and the software can be integrated into a merchant’s order fulfillment system OR for smaller customers they can utilize a web version of the tool. Consumers can receive text or email alerts about their package deliveries through the “UPS My Choice” program.
The tool lets consumers provide instructions about where they want a package delivered at their home or an alternative location like their office, the home of a neighbor or relative, or a UPS Access Point. The company says that over 100 million consumers use the UPS My Choice program. With porch piracy on the rise, UPS is not the only company using technology to prevent theft of deliveries.
Simple Alternatives
For those who are just waiting for their package and unsure who is delivering it and really don’t want to put a whole lot of thought into knowing, there are other alternatives.
By now we’re all familiar with camera technology that allows us to see who’s at our door. With a security camera you can see what’s going on outside of the house, most notably your front porch and driveway. Even your off-street parking and even at night.
Loading the app to your phones, this technology enables you to see, hear and speak to visitors to your house from your phone. It’s easy to install and can be set up to work with Alexa. Security that starts at the front door.
When thinking about or choosing a security camera for surveillance, remember to consider factors like indoor vs. outdoor use, resolution, power source, and video storage. There are many on the market, but we found the simplest one relative to brand and ease of installation with little to no subscription fees.
This was a no-brainer for us, and it allowed Mom to see what was going on behind her front door and actually increase the success of the delivery of her packages, because now she could see who was entering the porch.
The Product Mom Settled On was the Ring Video Doorbell aka the All-new Ring Battery Doorbell
Click here for more details on The Ring Video Doorbell Features:
- 1440 x 1440 HD video doorbell with enhanced features that let you see, hear, and speak to anyone from your phone, tablet, or PC.
- An update from the original Ring Video Doorbell, enjoy improved motion detection, privacy zones and audio privacy, and crisper night vision.
- Receive mobile notifications when anyone presses your doorbell or triggers your built-in motion sensors.
- Advanced motion detection with customizable motion zones
- Powered by the built-in rechargeable battery or connects to existing doorbell wires for constant power.
- Easily set up by connecting your Ring Video Doorbell to Wi-Fi through the Ring app and mounting with the included tools.
- With a Ring Protect Plan (subscription sold separately), record all your videos, review what you missed for up to 180 days, and share videos and photos.
- Pair with select Alexa-enabled devices to enable announcements and two-way talk for convenient in-home monitoring.
- With a Ring Protect plan (subscription sold separately), Alexa can also make voice announcements and automatically show live video feed on an Echo Show, Fire TV, or Fire Tablet when your Ring doorbell detects a person or package.
Several factors’ users should consider that can significantly impact their experience with the Ring Video Doorbell.
1. Compatibility: The Ring Video Doorbell is compatible with most iOS and Android devices. Users should ensure that their smartphone or tablet meets the minimum requirements to enjoy all the features offered by the device.
2. Wi-Fi Strength: Since the Ring Video Doorbell relies on a stable internet connection to transmit the video feed, users should have a strong Wi-Fi signal near their front door. A weak Wi-Fi connection may result in delays or interruptions in the video streaming.
3. Power Source: The Ring Video Doorbell can operate on battery power or be connected to the existing doorbell wiring. Users who prefer a wired connection should ensure that they have the necessary wiring infrastructure in place, while those who prefer the battery option should consider the frequency of recharging required.
4. Subscription Plan: While the basic functionality of the Ring Video Doorbell is free, some advanced features such as cloud storage for video recordings may require a subscription plan. Users should determine if these additional features are necessary for their use case and be aware of the associated costs.
Read the disclaimers if any very closely: This is the fine print that gives you information on how to integrate and configure your product and what you may have to purchase to have all of the functionality the product proclaims.
Common Questions
Q: Can multiple users receive notifications and answer the doorbell?
A: Yes, The Ring Video Doorbell allows multiple users to connect to the device, receive notifications, and answer the doorbell. The primary account holder can grant access to other family members or individuals through the Ring app.
Q: Can I see who is at the door even at night?
A: Absolutely! The Ring Video Doorbell is equipped with infrared night vision, ensuring clear visibility even in low-light conditions. This feature allows users to see and communicate with visitors at any time of the day or night.
Q: Can I customize motion detection zones?
A: Yes, users have the flexibility to customize motion detection zones using the Ring Video Doorbell app. This feature allows you to focus on specific areas, reducing the number of unnecessary notifications triggered by passing vehicles or other false alarms.
Choosing the best home security camera depends on your specific needs and preferences. Here are some top picks for 2024 based on security expert reviews:
- Arlo Pro 5S 2K Spotlight Camera:
- Best Overall: Arlo’s model offers strong resolution with HDR optimization, excellent night vision, healthy battery life, and an extra-wide field of view. It’s versatile and suitable for various home security needs.
- Price: Around $250 at Best Buy.
- Google Nest Indoor/Outdoor Cam (2nd-gen):
- Best Versatile: This camera is great for both indoor and outdoor use. It offers solid performance and compatibility with Google Nest products.
- Price: Around $177 on Amazon.
- Ring Indoor/Outdoor Stick-Up Cam (2nd-gen):
- Best Portable: Ring’s camera is easy to install and can be used both indoors and outdoors. It’s a good choice if you need flexibility in placement.
- Price: Around $100 at Target.
- Lorex 4K Spotlight Indoor/Outdoor Security Camera:
- Best Local Storage: If you prefer local storage over cloud-based solutions, Lorex’s camera offers 4K resolution and spotlight features.
- Price: Around $200 at B&H Photo-Video and $200 at Amazon.
- Eufy Security SoloCam S220, Solar Security Camera,
- Best Budget: Reliable cellular connectivity and no monthly fee. Provides best value for your money. Suitable for remote locations. (S220 does not have a spotlight)
- Price: Around $69 on Amazon (Recommend purchase of multiple units)
- Eufy Security Camera S3 Pro -2-Cam Kit, Solar Camera Outdoor Wireless
- Best Security Features, No monthly fee. Reliable cellular connectivity, spotlight & motion detection. 16GB onboard storage. Expandable local storage up to 16TB
- Price: Min $525 (2pk) $650 (3pk) Max $725 (6pk) on Amazon
Each of these options has its strengths and weaknesses, so pick the one that aligns best with your requirements. Additionally, you might want to explore other sources for more recommendations. There will be more information in the future on security and options for our elders. To stay informed, subscribe to our newsletter at newsletter@erinsagelessessentials.com
Also, more information on UPS and their attempt to prevent theft of their packages is here: UPS is using AI to prevent ‘porch pirates’ from stealing packages – MarketWatch
