Youngstown Police offer tips for delivery drivers to remain safe in wake of 'suspicious' orders, customers

As popularity continues to rise on delivery services like GrubHub and UBER Eats, the Youngstown Police Department has recently received reports from several vendors that their delivery drivers have been sent to areas for "suspicious orders" or have been confronted by suspicious "customers." Amazon, UPS, FedEx and postal service workers aren't immune to the issue either.

"We've gotten concerns of packages and deliveries being addressed to houses that are dimly lit or appear abandoned," explained YPD Captain Jason Simon. "Or there's a sketchy character coming up to get a package or delivery at an abandoned house."

Last April, a Florida UBER Eats driver was brutally murdered allegedly after a food delivery. His remains were found at the address of the delivery.

While Captain Simon says there have been no criminal cases, it's best if you feel unsafe to remove yourself from the situation and not fulfill the order.

"We are just urging those delivery services to use a level of common sense when delivering whatever your product is," Simon added.

Police are reminding delivery drivers that no matter what they're delivering, the most important thing is to keep themselves safe. Captain Simon offered the following tips to do just that.

- Always be aware of your surroundings

- Know the address and its location before heading there

- Drive away and avoid all areas that appear abandoned or poorly lit

- Never walk behind a dark building or go to a door out of view of your vehicle or the street

- Park in areas that are well-lit and have a flashlight handy

- Do not carry large amounts of cash

- Pay attention to vehicles that may be following you

- Do not allow a 'customer' to redirect you to a place other than the original delivery location

"We've not experienced it here," Simon added. "Certainly any of these deliveries that are set up with criminal intent could lead to a robbery or some harm to the delivery driver and the most important thing is to be safe yourself."

Additionally, Simon reminds delivery drivers that someone trying to harm you could be any age. If anything "feels off" once you arrive, drive away and immediately call your store for further instructions.

If there is an immediate emergency at the scene of a delivery, call 911 immediately.