Amid rise in package theft, a new service relies on the kindness of neighbors
Pickups connects online shoppers in Williamsburg with neighbors willing to hold on to their deliveries, keeping them safe from doorstep thieves.
The holiday season is all about giving and receiving — and, in New York City lately, thieving. As online shopping continues to flourish, package theft has reached unfortunate new heights.
With e-commerce retailers and package carriers offering little recourse, package theft is a growing source of frustration for residents; citywide, 90,000 packages disappear every day, according to the New York Times. One technology company that launched its services a few months ago in Williamsburg is looking to solve the problem.
Founded by Gabriel Cepeda, a 23-year-old New Jersey resident, Pickups matches online shoppers with neighbors who are willing to store their package deliveries in their homes for a fee.