Package delivery program prevents thefts

It is the unwanted holiday hassle. You know a package was delivered to your home, and when you get there it is nowhere to be found.

"It's really frustrating. You order it, you wait for it, and then it's gone," Elissa Roch, a Federal Hill resident, said.

Roch has had a few of packages stolen from her doorstep. She said she wishes having them stolen was not a reality of living there.

"I realize it is and I wish the delivery companies were recognizing that and weren't leaving packages out on the steps," she told ABC2.

That is why she was glad to hear about her neighbors and local businesses stepping up to find a solution.

They think they have found one in the Package Delivery Program. Lisa Nguyen with the South Baltimore Neighborhood Association said thanks to social media, the program's popularity has increased over the years.

"It's continuing to evolve and every time we launch it, we get more and businesses involved that are happy to respond and be available to help out," Nguyen said.

The businesses help out by offering their business to serve as your delivery destination.

Andrew Hahn owns Afters Cafe on South Charles Street. He said he gets about eight packages delivered everyday and that he's happy to help his customers have some peace of mind.

"As long as I don't get two pounds of treadmill. Yeah, it happened last year," he said.

All they ask for the free service are: packages of a reasonable size, a pick up within two days, and to show the businesses a little love in return.

"You know, when you pick up a package, stay for a beer or buy a cocktail. ... At the end of the day, if the businesses are willing to help us, and just accept those packages on a regular basis, it's just a really nice seamless approach," Nguyen said.