New Amazon program gives some St. Louisans hope that their packages won’t be stolen

Update on 11/8/17: Amazon Key is now available in St. Louis.

Tired of watching packages disappear off of your porch?

Amazon is rolling out a new program that some St. Louisans think could help. With Amazon Key, Prime members can have packages delivered inside their home, rather than outside. To participate, they buy a $250 camera–smart lock package to install.

Drivers request access to a home; Amazon verifies that they’re at the right place. Then, the Amazon Cloud Cam starts recording, and the door is unlocked; homeowners will have a full record of the delivery. Delivery drivers don’t have access to codes or keys; everything’s done through Amazon’s systems. And Amazon has promised that they perform background checks and examine driving records closely.

Tony Mueller lives in Tower Grove South, where he and his neighbors look for solutions to package theft; he preordered the Amazon Key. He says he thinks that Amazon’s system “gives the driver that much more incentive to ‘be good.’” And when it comes to a choice between potentially losing expensive packages, he’d rather place his packages in the hands of a vetted driver. “Drivers are much more trustworthy than some person walking down the street checking out people’s porches.”

But some St. Louisans aren’t excited about the thought of delivery drivers—or even just a big company—having access to their homes.

In a neighborhood Facebook group, one individual wrote, “What could possibly go wrong?” Another noted that they’re seeing a similar concept—though not identical—fail in Houston. And several voiced that they didn’t trust delivery drivers to use the access without abuse.

Amazon Key won’t be available everywhere; some parts of Metro East won’t have the service when it’s released, but many city and county zips on the Missouri side will have the option. You can check if you’re eligible on Amazon’s website. The program rolls out on November 8, according to a press release.