I spent three weeks stripping forty years of lead paint off our Oakwood porch columns, only to have some kid snatch a box of brass hinges right off the deck. It is exhausting.

I built a heavy wooden delivery chest using reclaimed heart pine to match the floorboards, fitted with a brass mechanical lock. The tedious part was getting the delivery drivers to actually open the lid and snap the lock shut. Most of them just drop the box on top of the chest instead.

I suggest keeping a strict log. Write down the precise time of the theft, the vehicle make, and any visible trim packages. In Garner, we had a rash of these on Vandora Springs Road.

I documented four separate incidents on my block before contacting the non-emergency line. Having a clear chronological list of events makes the authorities take it much more seriously than a single complaint.

I manage two units in Southeast Raleigh and package theft is a constant headache for my tenants. I ended up installing a secure drop box behind the side lattice work.

It keeps the packages completely out of sight from the street while maintaining the clean look of the front porch. The key is clear delivery instructions on your online accounts.

Do not bother with those cheap plastic smart lock boxes. They are easy to crack open with a crowbar and they look terrible on an older home.

You are better off spending the money on a solid, heavy parcel locker hidden behind some landscaping, or just redirecting expensive items to a local pickup locker on Glenwood.

Get a loud dog.

Hank has the right idea but my golden retriever would probably just help them carry the box to the car.

I tried to order a custom decorative iron lockbox three months ago and the fabricator is still backed up. Who actually has open availability for minor security installs right now? I am tired of waiting.

Saw that same silver car or one just like it idling near our neighborhood in Fuquay last week. Had a dent on the passenger rear door. Keep your eyes open folks, they are moving fast.

Back when the milkman used to leave glass bottles on our steps on Pine Drive, we never thought about locks. But times change, and we have to adapt.

Priya, your Boylan Heights porch is too lovely for a plastic bin. My neighbor across the street put in a lovely high hedge of boxwoods that completely screens her side steps from the road. Sometimes the best security is just a little old-fashioned camouflage.

From an insurance perspective, remember that standard homeowners policies do cover theft of personal property, but your deductible is almost certainly higher than the value of a salvage yard light fixture.

Keep your receipts for any high-value items. If you have a package stolen that exceeds your deductible, document the loss with the carrier immediately and file a police report to preserve your claim rights.