HOA package theft: delivery rooms, lockers, camera policy, and notices
Package-theft season hits hard. This guide helps your board set parcel-room rules, consider delivery lockers, adopt a privacy-aware camera policy, and communicate clearly with residents. Without legalese.
Holiday shopping increases deliveries, and – unfortunately – theft risk. Porch pirates are common, and centralized delivery points in communities can become targets. You can’t eliminate risk, but you can shrink it with simple, clear steps. Keep it practical. Keep it consistent.
Start with your setup: parcel room or lockers?
Decide where packages live until pickup. A staffed or access-controlled parcel room works if you have space and basic controls. Lockers are more secure and reduce handling. If onsite isn’t realistic, steer residents to carrier lockers and pickup points nearby. Many delivery companies offer locker pickup with extended hours.
Parcel-room rules that actually work
Write simple rules and share them. Access via key/fob or code. Clear opening hours. No tailgating. Packages older than X days are returned. Post a one-page “how it works” sign at the door, and have it available in a document storage. Add bright lighting and keep sightlines open; trim bushes and remove visual cover. Aim one camera at the entry and another at the shelves. Keep an incident log (date, unit, carrier, action).
Lockers: onsite and third-party options
Onsite parcel lockers reduce opportunity theft. One-time codes and locked compartments beat open rooms. If the capital budget is tight, start with fewer doors and expand. Also promote off-site options residents can select at checkout (carrier/Amazon lockers and retail pickup). These reduce parcels sitting in common areas.
A privacy-aware camera policy
Use cameras for deterrence and evidence around mail/parcel areas and entries and not inside units. Post signage that recording is in use. Limit who can access footage, for how long, and why. Always check your governing documents and applicable rules before installing devices or allowing doorbell cameras. Document your decisions in minutes.
Signs and “limited common area” notices
Short beats long. Post a laminated sign at the parcel area: where to pick up, time limits, reporting steps, and a reminder to collect daily. Add seasonal notices in lobbies/elevators from November to January. Keep tone neutral: “Reduce theft risk. Pick up today.” Education matters so send reminders to change behavior and lower unattended time.
Resident comms templates (copy/paste ready)
Seasonal kickoff (email/news post)
Subject: Package-theft season—how we’ll handle deliveries
Text: “More packages are coming in the next weeks. Please (a) schedule deliveries when you’re home for high-value items, (b) consider carrier lockers/pickup, and (c) if you can’t be home, ask a neighbor to grab it. Our parcel room is [location]. Pick up the same day. Cameras are in place per our policy.”
After an incident (email + printed notice)
Subject: Package theft reported: what to do now
Text: “We received a theft report from [area] on [date/time]. If you have footage, save it. File a police report and notify the Postal Inspection Service if mail was involved. Tell the carrier as well. We’ve reviewed camera angles and lighting and will adjust as needed. Please pick up packages promptly.”
Locker option promo (short post)
Text: “Prefer zero waiting? Choose carrier lockers or retail pickup at checkout for valuables. Onsite lockers are available at [location] with code access.”
Need a digital bulletin board to share the above?
When theft happens: respond and record
Encourage residents to report thefts to local police and, if mail was taken, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (or other local authorities). Multiple resident reports speed attention. Ask affected owners to save video clips and note times. Escalate with your postmaster if master-key issues are suspected; persistent follow-up helps. Log incidents and actions taken.
Board responsibilities and expectations
Boards aren’t general security providers, but they must act reasonably once issues surface. That means lighting fixes, camera angles, access tweaks, and clear communication. Document what you changed and when. Tell owners what they can do too. Watchfulness and fast pickup goes a long way.
Quick checklist for HOA package theft
- Decide: parcel room, lockers, or off-site pickup emphasis.
- Post simple rules and signs; add lighting and clear sightlines.
- Set and document a camera policy with access limits and retention.
- Send the seasonal email; re-post notices during peak weeks.
- After incidents: collect footage, file reports, and adjust controls.
Final note
Package theft spikes when deliveries spike. Keep it simple: pick your setup (parcel room, lockers, or off-site pickup), post short rules, improve lighting, and set a privacy-aware camera policy. Educate residents to pick up the same day and consider lockers for valuables. When incidents happen, collect footage, file reports, adjust controls, and log actions. A layered approach beats any single fix.
FAQ – HOA package theft
- Are HOAs responsible for security if a package is stolen? Generally, HOAs aren’t fully responsible for security. But boards may face issues if they ignore known risks. Act reasonably: improve lighting, adjust access, and communicate. Always check your governing documents.
- Can residents use doorbell cameras or can the HOA add cameras? Maybe. Check your governing documents first. Many communities add cameras near mail/parcel areas and keep angles clear; some also post notices about recording. Keep privacy in mind.
- What actually reduces hoa package theft? Lockers (on-site or carrier lockers), bright lighting, clear sightlines, and focused camera coverage. Upgrading outdated mailbox units also helps. Education and pickup reminders lower unattended time.
- What should the board tell residents after a theft? Save any video. File a police report. If mail was taken, report to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and ask the postmaster about lock/key changes if Arrow keys are involved. Then send a short community notice and review lighting/camera angles.
