90,000 Packages Stolen Daily in NYC: Why a Smart Doorbell is Essential for Your Apartment
The sheer volume of life in New York City is astounding. From the bustling streets to the constant flow of commerce, the city never sleeps. But there's a dark side to this constant motion: According to an announcement from the NYC Mayor's Office, a staggering 90,000 packages are stolen or go missing every single day in our city. If you live in an apartment, you're at the heart of this storm. The convenience of online shopping is undeniable, but the sinking feeling of a "delivered" notification without a package in sight is becoming an all-too-common New York experience.
The statistics are alarming. Major news outlets and security analysts have highlighted NYC as a hotspot for "porch pirates," a term that doesn't quite capture the sinking feeling of knowing your personal delivery has been snatched. For apartment dwellers, the risk is even more acute. Shared lobbies, bustling hallways, and the sheer number of deliveries create a perfect storm for opportunistic thieves. But what can you do? The answer is simpler and more affordable than you might think. It's time to get smarter about your front door.
Why Your Apartment is a Prime Target for Package Thieves
Apartment buildings, by their very nature, present unique security challenges. Unlike single-family homes, there are multiple points of entry and a constant stream of people—residents, guests, and delivery personnel. This anonymity can be easily exploited. Thieves can tailgate into buildings or simply walk in and browse the packages left in common areas. Your doorman can't be everywhere at once, and even the most secure buildings are not immune to this pervasive issue. This is where a personal line of defense becomes not just a luxury, but a necessity.
The Smart Solution: A Doorbell That Does More Than Ding
A smart doorbell is your personal front-door security guard, working 24/7. It's an essential tool for any New Yorker looking to protect their packages and enhance their peace of mind. Here’s how a device like the Kangaroo Doorbell Camera can make a significant difference:
See Who's at Your Door, from Anywhere: Whether you're at the office in Midtown, on the subway, or vacationing on the other side of the world, a smart doorbell sends a notification directly to your smartphone when motion is detected or the bell is rung. Kangaroo’s Doorbell Camera sends photo stitches of the activity, so you always have a visual of who is at your door.
Deter Thieves Before They Act: The mere presence of a visible doorbell camera can be a powerful deterrent. Thieves are looking for easy targets. A home that is clearly monitored is a home they are more likely to skip.
Gather Evidence if Needed: In the unfortunate event that a package is stolen, your smart doorbell provides you with a time-stamped visual record of the incident. This can be invaluable when filing a police report or an insurance claim.
Why Kangaroo is the Renter-Friendly Choice for NYC Apartments
At Kangaroo, we understand the unique needs of apartment living. You need security that is effective, affordable, and doesn’t require a complicated installation process that could violate your lease. Our Doorbell Camera + Chime is designed with renters in mind.
Drill-Free Installation: Forget about drills and wiring. The Kangaroo Doorbell Camera can be installed in minutes with a simple peel-and-stick application. It’s the perfect solution for apartment doors where drilling is not an option.
Affordable Peace of Mind: We believe that home security should be accessible to everyone. Our products are priced to be budget-friendly without compromising on the essential features you need to stay protected.
Package Theft Protection: We're so confident in our ability to help protect your deliveries that we offer a Porch Protection Plan. With this plan, if your package is stolen, we’ll reimburse you. It’s an extra layer of security that shows we stand behind our products.
Related Find:
Beyond the Deadbolt: A Modern Guide to Securing Your Home’s Perimeter
What Do Burglars Actually Want? The Most Stolen Items (And What Gets Ignored)
Getting Your Insurance Discount: What Proof Do You Need? (Security Certificates)
Your Questions About Apartment Security, Answered
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Generally, yes. As long as the camera only captures the public space directly in front of your own door and not your neighbor's private space, it's usually permissible. Kangaroo's drill-free installation is ideal as it doesn't damage common property, making it even more landlord-friendly. However, it's always a good practice to review your lease or check with building management.
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A smart doorbell is your best first line of defense. Additionally, consider using services like Amazon Lockers, arranging for delivery to your workplace, or requiring a signature upon delivery for high-value items.
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Instead of continuous video, which drains batteries and requires higher subscription fees, our camera captures a series of still images (photo-stitches) whenever motion is detected. This gives you a clear and immediate sequence of what happened at your door, delivered right to your phone, without the high cost. If you prefer Video clips we also have Kangaroo Video Doorbell Camera.
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Our Doorbell Camera provides motion detection alerts right out of the box with our free Basic plan. For advanced features like cloud storage and our unique Package Theft Protection, we offer affordable Complete and Porch Protection Plans.
Beyond the Doorbell: Total Apartment Security
While a smart doorbell is a critical first step, for comprehensive security, consider creating a simple and effective security system. Our Motion + Entry Sensors are another easy-to-install, renter-friendly option to secure your windows and other potential entry points. All our devices are controlled through the single, user-friendly Kangaroo app.
Take Control of Your Deliveries Today
Don't let the fear of package theft diminish the convenience of online shopping. The staggering number of daily thefts in NYC is a clear call to action. By investing in a smart doorbell, you're not just buying a piece of technology; you're investing in your peace of mind.
Ready to secure your apartment and protect your packages? Explore the Kangaroo Doorbell Camera + Chime and discover how simple and affordable apartment security can be.
For more information on preventing package theft, the NYPD offers these valuable tips.
Columbia University's Public Safety department also provides helpful crime prevention advice for city dwellers.
