Prince George RCMP Using Amazon Bait Packages to Catch Mail Thieves

Const. Brent Benbow has told CBC News that the Prince George RCMP has been using Amazon bait packages with GPS trackers in them to catch mail thieves. Working with Amazon on the initiative since last January, Prince George is the first city in Canada to do this, revealed Benbow, who regularly shops on Amazon himself.

Benbow told CBC’s Betsy Trumpener that he got the idea to work with Amazon after hearing multiple reports of packages being stolen from people’s doorsteps. “I sent them an email, and from there till now, it’s been a great partnership and they’ve been super helpful,” he said.

“This is the first in Canada actually. We’re the first ones to partner up with Amazon and we’re the first ones to deploy their boxes, so it’s fairly unique that way,” Benbow added:

When a bait package is taken, an activation is sent to the police and they are able to track live where it’s going. To date, there have been three activations, with one leading to the arrest of a 37-year-old male Prince George resident. 

To find people to take part in the operation, Benbow reached out to people that have been affected by mail theft in the past. So far, he has about 42 contacts that are open to having bait packages set up on their properties.

So far, RCMP have delivered over 50 bait packages to various residential doorsteps and mailboxes throughout the city.