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The Campbell Police Department is deploying delivery packages in the city with items inside that have GPS tracking devices. When thieves take the package, police are alerted within a few minutes.

“Bait packages” will be placed throughout the city and will look just like than any other package delivered by UPS, the U.S. Postal Service, Amazon or any other shipping service.

“We had some issues last year with package thefts, especially around the holidays,” said Campbell Police Capt. Gary Berg. “We decided to take a proactive approach this year.”

Berg said the department is working with residents and businesses to find places all over the city for the packages. The department has also partnered with businesses on the items placed in the packages.

The police department is not releasing details as to when the packages will be deployed, though police say they will be used during the Christmas holiday season and beyond.

The package program is similar to the department’s bait bike, which has been used for a few years throughout the city. A bike is left unattended by police in areas where a large numbers of bikes are reported stolen. When the bike begins moving, a police officer is alerted and responds to the bike’s location to contact the individual in possession of it.

The department is still advising residents to have packages delivered to a location where someone can receive it in person, such as a neighbor’s house or workplace. Residents can also ask delivery services to hold packages at a nearby store for pick-up.

Police also advise residents to give specific instructions to delivery services on where to place or hide a package. Surveillance cameras on properties are also suggested. Residents can register their outdoor surveillance cameras with the police department.