I am alone and experiencing taking my delivery packages … and knocking different hours , to wake me and scare me , at times at nite … I won’t answer at nite… I need a thing called sensor my friend told me .. I always was told an automatic type of thing to call police without getting out of bed … I was amazed my friend knew so much for senior safety … I gave disease crippling me I am still able to walk independently and live independently but still have fear of persons taking my packages or gifts from brother or even my meals sent to me . , from my drs social work . What can anyone do ?
An automatic thing to call Police is called a phone (911) so have it on you at all times -- it's the best safety device. I bought my Mom a comfortable neoprene runner's phone belt so if she doesn't have a pocket for her phone she then has this handy "hip sack".
You can have your packages delivered to a trusted person instead of your house, as long as they can drive it to you.
If your doorbell rings very late at night (and I've had this happen)... sometimes it is a Doordash delivery at the wrong address. I've had this happen twice at 11:30pm. My neighbor's Ring doorbell camera caught it on video so I know it wasn't anything mischievouse or nefarious.
Honestly if you live in this much fear all the time you might be better off in a safer care community of people rather than all by yourself.
It sounds as though your locality and yourself have reached the stage where living alone is quite difficult and stressful. Have you considered moving into somewhere where you are less isolated? A board and care home can meet the needs of people who just need a bit of company and security, and may be better for you than your own private house or apartment. This is where giving your profile information can mean that you get more meaningful suggestions. Yours, Margaret
When it comes to UPS, Post Office, or Amazon, they always deliver during the day, and never ring the bell or knock on the door. If you have e-mail, the companies will let you know what day to expect delivery. Ask your brother when delivery will be from packages he sends. Then you can keep watch between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
So I am curious who is doing this knocking?? Is it food delivery? If yes, you may want to order your meals so they are delivered during day light hours.
I am not a big fan of ring cameras and auto lights as it brings out the bored teens at night looking for front doors that have such cameras... "camera, lights, action"... kids will kick your front door and run off... they later want to see themselves on social media. So this might make matter worse for you. Just saying.
I personally use the Blink cameras around my home, and really like them. And they're very easy to set up and use.
When doorbell rings you can open this small latch and look out to be certain this is a delivery person.
If the mere ringing of your doorbell is disconcerting to you, there isn't a whole lot that can be done about it.
My own city is beset by "porch pirates" who make a living off packages left at front doorsteps. They don't bother residents, but residents don't get their packages, either so I sympathize with your concern.
A good handyman can install an automatic light for you, even a camera, for what good they do (which I suspect is none, as they are common in our city).