Best Security Camera Placement for Preventing Package Theft in Houston
Proven placement strategies that stop porch pirates before they strike
Package theft has become one of the most common crimes affecting Houston homeowners — and it’s not slowing down in 2026. With same-day delivery, unattended packages, and dense neighborhoods, porch pirates now operate with speed, coordination, and confidence.
At Savvy Surveillance, we don’t just install cameras, we design strategic camera placements based on real theft patterns we see across Houston neighborhoods like Katy, Cypress, Spring, Pearland, and Memorial. This guide breaks down exactly where cameras should be placed to prevent package theft, what most homeowners get wrong, and how professional placement turns cameras into real deterrents.
This is field-tested Houston-specific guidance, not generic advice.
Why Package Theft Is So Common in Houston
Houston’s layout makes it especially vulnerable to package theft:
Wide streets and quick vehicle access
Homes set back from sidewalks
Dense delivery volume
Limited natural surveillance in newer developments
Studies show over 75% of package theft occurs within 90 seconds of delivery — meaning camera placement matters more than camera count.
A poorly placed camera records theft.
A properly placed camera prevents it.
The Biggest Mistake: Relying Only on a Doorbell Camera
Doorbell cameras are helpful, but they are not enough to stop package theft.
Doorbell Camera Limitations:
Narrow field of view
Miss approach paths
Poor side-angle capture
Often WiFi-based with clip-only recording
Most package thieves approach from the driveway or side yard, grab the package, and exit without ever facing the doorbell directly.
The 5 Critical Camera Zones That Stop Package Theft
Zone 1: Driveway Approach (MOST IMPORTANT)
Why it matters:
Over 60% of package thieves approach from the driveway — not the sidewalk.
Ideal placement:
Mounted 9–11 feet high
Angled to capture vehicles and foot traffic
Covers delivery vehicles and suspicious loitering
This camera:
Identifies vehicles
Captures license plates
Provides early alerts before theft occurs
Zone 2: Front Door / Package Drop Zone
Purpose:
Confirm delivery and capture close-up facial detail.
Professional placement tips:
Mounted above eye level (not doorbell height)
Slight downward angle
Avoids sun glare and backlighting
This camera verifies:
Delivery time
Package condition
Theft attempt details
Zone 3: Side Yard / Fence Line
Why this is critical in Houston:
Side yards are the primary escape route for thieves.
Savvy installers frequently catch:
Fence hoppers
Repeat offenders
Coordinated theft teams
Placement considerations:
Long, narrow field of view
Night-optimized infrared coverage
Line-crossing alerts
Zone 4: Street-Facing Overview Camera
This camera isn’t about faces — it’s about context.
It captures:
Suspicious vehicles slowing down
People casing multiple homes
Repeated drive-bys
This evidence is often what leads to arrests, not just identification.
Zone 5: Garage / Porch Angle Coverage
Packages are frequently:
Dragged out of frame
Stolen from behind columns
Grabbed from garage entries
A secondary angle ensures no blind spots.
Houston Case Study: Package Theft Stopped in 48 Hours
Location: Spring, TX
Problem: Repeated Amazon package theft
Previous setup: Doorbell camera only (WiFi, clip-based)
Savvy Solution:
Driveway POE camera
Side-yard coverage
24/7 local recording
Result:
Thief spotted approaching
Vehicle identified
Package theft stopped immediately
No further incidents
This is why placement > brand.
Why Camera Height Matters More Than You Think
Mounting cameras too low:
Makes them easy to disable
Causes facial distortion
Misses approach angles
Savvy standard:
9–11 feet for outdoor cameras
Downward angle of 15–30°
Optimized for night clarity
DIY installs often mount cameras too low and too narrow.
POE vs WiFi: Why Reliability Prevents Theft
Package theft happens fast.
WiFi cameras fail when:
Signal drops
Routers reboot
Batteries die
Savvy installs POE (Power over Ethernet) cameras that:
Record 24/7
Never miss events
Don’t rely on WiFi
Don’t use batteries
Learn why no-subscription systems matter: 24/7 Monitoring Without Monthly Fees
Smart Alerts That Actually Work
Savvy systems use AI-based detection without subscriptions:
Human detection only
Vehicle detection
Loitering alerts
Line-crossing triggers
This allows homeowners to:
Intercept thieves in real time
Talk through cameras
Alert neighbors or authorities
Common Placement Mistakes We Fix Every Week
Cameras mounted too high
Cameras aimed at the ground
Doorbell-only systems
No side-yard coverage
Over-reliance on motion clips
Professional placement eliminates all five.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will cameras stop package theft completely?
No system is perfect — but professionally placed cameras reduce theft dramatically.
Do cameras capture faces clearly?
Yes. Savvy uses 2K+ (5MP) cameras designed for identification.
Can I add cameras later?
Yes. Our systems are fully scalable.
Will this work with my HOA?
We design placements that comply with Houston HOA guidelines.
Final Thoughts: Placement Is the Difference
In Houston, package theft is fast, organized, and opportunistic.
The solution isn’t more cameras, it’s better placement.
Savvy Surveillance designs layouts that:
Cover approach paths
Eliminate blind spots
Provide usable evidence
Stop theft before it happens
