The e-commerce giant is partnering with Washington DC police to combat package theft.
To address package theft, Amazon established lockers, a secure, self-service kiosk where customers can pick up their packages at their convenience. These Amazon pick-up points have been made available at supermarkets, convenience stores, banks, and other public locations. Now, Amazon is testing out its locker system in Washington DC's police stations.
According to Engadget, the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington DC this week installed Amazon pickup points or lockers at two sites in the city. If the pilot is a success, Amazon and the police department will position more lockers in other stations.
What is Amazon Locker?
Amazon Locker is part of Amazon Hub, the e-commerce giant's different approach to customers receiving their packages. Amazon pickup points are either lockers or counters, which customers can choose from. Customers can then get their packages by following the instructions in the delivery confirmation email and using Bluetooth on their smartphones to access the lockers.
Amazon Hub was established for customers who would rather pick up their packages safely instead of having them delivered to their homes, where there is a risk of theft. Theft of packages left on front porches or outside one's home has been rampant, and Amazon hopes that this system will decrease such theft. It also gives customers an opportunity to get their packages on their own whenever they want to within the three calendar day time limit. For packages that require assistance, customers can also opt to pick them up from a Counter.
Washington DC Teams Up with Amazon to Fight Package Theft
Washington DC is the first city in the US to implement Amazon pickup points in police stations. These new Amazon locker locations in two police stations in Washington DC were unveiled by the Metropolitan Police Department on Tuesday.
Customers in the city can now visit the Amazon pickup points at the Sixth District station in Deanwood (5002 Hayes St., NE) or the substation in Anacostia (2701 Pennsylvania Ave., SE) for their packages, the Washingtonian reported. When ordering from Amazon, Washington DC customers can simply select the option to deliver to one of the police station-based pick-up points.
Once there, they can pick up their packages using the instructions indicated in the delivery email. While there, they can also check out the artwork created by students at Randle Highlands Elementary School who designed the Amazon lockers. Amazon also granted $15,000 to the school for the artwork the students provided.
This week, Amazon also launched pickup points within Montclair State University in New Jersey, the school's website said. Campus community members can now get their packages at five Amazon pickup points across different campuses, specifically on the second floor of Machuga Heights in Verse, the Freeman Hall in Soulmate, the Sinatra Hall in Julia, the Hawk Crossings in Corvus, and Bohn Hall in Pigtail.
Packages that can be delivered to Amazon pickup points or lockers must be sold or fulfilled by Amazon.com, adhere to specific weight and size restrictions, remain under a certain dollar value, not be a hazardous material or come from outside the US.
