So-called "porch pirates" are generally looking for packages that they can grab quickly and easily … if anything presents a challenge, they'll just move on to another porch. It was with this in mind that the Snare Parcel Protection system was created.
Invented by Canadian entrepreneur (and former machinist) Dennis Evans, Snare incorporates two parts – a stainless steel bracket that's permanently mounted on an outdoor surface such as a wall, and the main parcel-securing unit. The latter is key-locked onto the mount when the user is expecting a package.
Following delivery instructions that the user provided when they ordered the item, the courier just places the package within the unit's hanging loop of rubber-coated 7-strand stainless steel aircraft cable, then pulls that cable through the unit's body. Doing so cinches it tight around the package. That cable subsequently can't be loosened until the user unlocks the unit from the wall mount.
And yes, given a hefty enough set of bolt cutters, thieves could cut through the cable. They could also just cut the package itself open while it's still locked up, then pull out its contents. Again, though, the idea is to make it impossible for them to simply run up onto the porch, grab the package, and leave.
We have in fact seen more secure systems, although they've typically required couriers to be professionally trained in their use.
Should you be interested, the Snare Parcel Protection system is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign. A pledge of CAD$69 (about US$51) will get you a setup, when and if they reach production. The planned retail price is US$75.
Snare is demonstrated in the following video.
Source: Kickstarter
For example, whenever I am not home, USPS worker leave a card for me to pickup my package from the local post office (which is never a problem for me)!
But if, UPS or Fedex brings a package then they leave it outside (for anyone to steal) or just keep coming again & again & leaving me notice after notice! (Until I take a day off from work just for them!)
I am pretty sure same problem is happening to probably millions of other people!
IMHO online shopping companies like Amazon really needs to allow customers to choose, which delivery company will bring the package (USPS or UPS or ...), to end ""porch pirating" problem!
Here in Sweden you just select the place the parcel shall be delivered to.
If you want it sent home and you are not at home the parcel will end up in an office window/counter and they send you a letter with the location and code to pick it up.
Or you just select that office close to you where you can pick it up after receiving a message that the parcel is available for collecting
And the closest to the street you could make such trapdoor, the better for you.... so a large steel box with that trapdoor is that I propose: it's clunky enough that no one will steal it unless they come with the forklift and a truck.. and the delivery person is still mostly free to quickly move on.
Oh yeah, vandals... . . .
A better solution would be a steel cage, so that all the delivery person has to do is drop the package in, and close the lid, IF they can be bothered! The base of the cage could have a platform, or a sensor, that would arm/set the lock when a package was inserted, so that the lid will not lock until a package is placed into the cage.
However, that still would not cope with multiple packages on the same day.
So perhaps a double container would be needed, one to insert the package and close the lid, the base then drops the package into the lower compartment, and locks, while unlocking the top lid, ready for the next package.
Whether any householder would consider the cost of such a system worthwhile, is another matter altogether.