Tennessee Dealer Proposes Solution To Doorstep Package Theft

It’s the holiday season which means doorstep package theft is on the rise, however, a dealer in Tennessee has an ambitious plan to both prevent that type of theft and build trust in their community.

Package theft is growing problem. While this issue is typically one which relies on the common decency of others to not steal especially during the holiday season, Knoxville Auto Brokers has another solution: Send the package to their store. The used car dealership wants consumers to trust this dealership with their packages in an effort to prevent them from being stolen from their doorsteps.

Brad Hensley, President of Knoxville Auto Brokers, told WVLT he came up with the ideal while on Facebook. Speaking to WVLT Hensley said, “I was sitting there on Facebook one day and saw there was two subdivisions in our community that were hit… And just thinking how can we help our community. It’s not like we’re going to just up and leave tomorrow with packages and 80 cars.”

Hensley provided his dealership’s address and his personal cellphone number to the local news and asks consumers who are having their packages sent to his dealership to send him a text message, so he can watch for the delivery and sign for it. Consumers must produce a valid photo ID matching the name on the box in order to pick up the package. He also told WVLT he’s trustworthy and his store is staffed 6 days per week with 16 security cameras, making it in his mind a good location for package delivery. According to reports no one has taken Hensley up on his offer and had their packages delivered to his store.

Would your store ever consider taking on packages during the Christmas season as a sort of community service to prevent crime? What other ways can dealers reach out in their community during this holiday season?