Prince George RCMP and Amazon have teamed up to stop package thieves, a first in Canada.
Cst. Brent Benbow with the local detachment is an avid Amazon shopper and had the idea to contact Amazon to talk about theft of the company's packages from doorsteps and mailboxes throughout Prince George.
From that discussion, Amazon has provided the detachment with packaging, real products and surveillance technology to help officers catch those who steal deliveries.
.@PG_RCMP have partnered with @amazon to put out bait packages that look real to catch those who are stealing packages from people’s homes or businesses. First in Canada to have this program. Only other city: New York #cityofpg #pgmatters @PGMatters pic.twitter.com/qLH0FGDzHE
— jess fedigan (@jj_fedigan) December 11, 2019
At the time of the launch in Prince George, the only other city participating was New York. Cpl. Craig Douglass said they are unaware of any other cities that have joined since.
.@PG_RCMP say they started the program this year and at the time, New York was the only other city they were aware of. They aren't sure if more have joined on but it is the first in Canada #amazon #cityofpg #theft @PGMatters
— jess fedigan (@jj_fedigan) December 11, 2019
Select residents in Prince George helped launch the program earlier this year.
At a news conference today (Dec. 11), Douglass said there have been more than 50 bait packages deployed at various locations in the detachment area to date, with a total of three activations.
One of the investigations resulted in the arrest of a 37-year-old Prince George man.
Douglass said the investigation has been handed over to the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges.
